Category: !CAI

November is National Care at Home Month! It has also been known as Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care Month, but National Care at Home Month came about to recognize our entire care-at-home community. It is a month to honor all professionals who work in the broad field of home healthcare. These at-home services include home health, personal care (also known as home care), hospice care, and palliative care. The professionals making these services possible range from physicians, nurses and personal care aides to social workers, physical therapists and so much more.

As seniors choose to age in place, their home becomes their sanctuary. At-home services are not just convenient—they’re a lifeline for those in need! From chronic care to post-surgery support and wound management, the home healthcare continuum ensures comfort and healing in the familiar surroundings of home. These services not only ensure dignity and comfort, but also provide invaluable emotional and practical support, empowering these patients to live comfortably and safely.

Let’s take a look at each discipline within the home healthcare continuum.

The term “home health” includes a wide range of healthcare services that can be provided in the home to treat an illness or injury. Home healthcare is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you receive in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. In fact, patients typically experience better recovery at home with fewer hospital admissions. There are no truer words than “there’s no place like home!”

Hopefully I do not need to provide much overview on personal care since that’s what Care Advantage does. You all should know what we do, right? A few key reminders: we can provide 24-hour care wherever a patient calls home; we work alongside home health, palliative, and hospice care teams; we help with all ADLs, IADLs and so much more; we are the missing link for many older patients who live alone, have a history of emergency room visits, and are at a high risk of falling. And let’s not forget that Care Advantage continues to do this with accessibility, affordability, and award-winning care!

So, let’s dive into home health, palliative care and hospice care, as these are often misunderstood.

Home Health care can be provided to patients in the home if they need part-time or intermittent skilled services and are homebound. This means that leaving the home is not recommended due to a patient’s condition, the patient is unable to leave your home because it is a major effort, and/or the patient is simply too ill or injured to leave home.

Home Health can provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, patient and family education, intravenous or nutritional therapy, injections, monitoring of serious illness, durable medical equipment, and medical social services. A doctor or other health care provider (like a nurse practitioner) must assess a patient face-to-face to order Home Health services.

Palliative care assists patients with serious, complex and terminal illnesses, such as cancer, heart failure or chronic lung disease, helping them stay at home. They will also assist with life-prolonging curative treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or even physical and occupational therapy, that continue to improve the patient’s quality of life. Palliative can also assist in managing symptoms like shortness of breath, pain, depression, anxiety, constipation, nausea, and loss of appetite. The palliative team will work with the patient’s current medical team and assist with providing resources and equipment.

Hospice helps patients live out their remaining days with the best quality of life, helps them achieve lifelong goals, and helps to manage their symptoms. Hospice care helps patients with advanced, life-limiting illnesses. When the patient has decided with their doctor that there are no other curative options and they want to focus on quality vs. quantity of life, they can accept hospice services at any time. Hospice care provides any medications, supplies and equipment needed to provide relief of symptoms and improve quality of life—all while avoiding hospitalization for the patient. 

Hospice has honestly been overlooked by far too many families as an incredible late-life benefit for their loved one. Many people put off hospice care until it’s too late. My own family did the same, and I have major regrets for not having my mom enrolled in the program sooner. I have learned so much about hospice and the entire home healthcare continuum during my tenure with Care Advantage, my only wish is that I could go back and do things differently for both of my parents. But you don’t know what you don’t know! My calling now is to help guide other families in the ways I wish my family had been.

I will close with this: the home healthcare continuum is not only there to provide care in the home for patients, but it supports the family because we recognize that they are struggling too. When a patient receives a diagnosis, the whole family is impacted. Take advantage of the services that are available to keep patients where they want to be, and to take the burden off of families! There is nothing more important than spending quality time with a loved one, so do  not allow yourself to be tied up in the minutia that someone else can handle. It will be there for you one day when your loved one is not.

I knew the purpose of Veterans Day but I did not know the full history of how it came to be. As the saying goes, “I was today year’s old when …” And maybe you are in the same boat!

The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919 officially ended the Great War, aka World War I. Fighting had actually ended seven months earlier when an armistice was declared on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Thus, November 11, 1918 became known as “the war to end all wars.”

November 11^th was proclaimed Armistice Day by President Wilson in November 1919. “To us in America, the reflection of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

After World War II required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen in our Nation’s history, and after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83^rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 and changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day. November 11^th then became a day to honor American Veterans of ALL wars.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11^th, regardless of what day of the week it falls. In our history, there was a time when Veteran’s Day was observed on the closest Monday in hopes of people traveling and increasing tourism revenue with the three-day weekend. Revising the observance of Veterans Day back to November 11^th preserves the historical significance of the date and focuses attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

We owe our veterans so much!

In my role with Care Advantage, I am honored to work with both the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center but also the Virginia Veterans Care Center. I get a little teary eyed every time I am at either facility, seeing so many of our retired veterans still proudly wearing the hat of their military branch. I love talking to these men. So many of them remind me of my daddy, who was a Marine during the Korean Conflict. Semper Fi!

This year, I was honored to be part of the Veterans Day Ceremony at Harmony Senior Living. We had veterans representing WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. There was not a dry eye in the place, but when I started tearing up as I placed a USA flag pin on their chests, they each said something to make me laugh. These veterans are simply incredible!

Care Advantage serves nearly 900 veterans. Wow! Not only do we have the honor of providing care for these veterans with our contract with the V.A., but we also have a partnership with Veterans Care Coordination that allows us to make referrals for veterans or surviving spouses to help determine eligibility for the Aid & Attendance Pension and expedite activation of those benefits if qualified. This pension makes it easier for veterans and their spouses to age in place at home.

While Veterans Day is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice and service of those who have fought for our freedom, this is a day for Care Advantage to celebrate our veteran clients and acknowledge their contributions to the nation. We are indeed honored to support aging wartime veterans!

The care we provide to Veterans goes beyond physical and medical support. It also includes emotional care, community connection, and honoring the legacy and service of those who have fought for our freedom. It is not just about us helping them maintain proper nutrition and medication schedules, assisting with their bathing or exercises, handling laundry or housekeeping, or taking them places. Our services strengthen their connection to the community, ensuring these honored veterans feel remembered, appreciated and respected.

Join me in saying “thank you for your service!” to all of our veterans! We enjoy so many freedoms because of their selfless sacrifices!

We had an exciting morning on Saturday, October 19^th for the American Heart Association 2024 Heart Walk! All of our fundraising and events have been pointing to the Heart Walk and we were so excited that everyone came together for it. The Sea of Pink made a second splash with our pink hats and pom-poms! We had 93 walkers registered for this event, which is massive! Any and every way that people chipped in to this event was not unnoticed, and we appreciate everyone for participating.

It takes a village to get the kind of momentum that we built for this event, as always, our leader and CEO Tim Hanold was a huge contributor throughout this season. Fundraising doesn’t happen on its own which is why we would like to thank Ariane Burns who was named a Top Walker, Bonnie Kessler who recruited an incredible 44 walkers, Cathy Dancy, Raine Grey, and our AHA Steering committee for play huge roles to get this all pulled together.

Case Management Week is being celebrated this year from October 13th to 19th! According to Google, the definition of Case Managers: healthcare professionals who serve as patient advocates, supporting, guiding, and coordinating care for patients, families and caregivers as they navigate their health and wellness journeys. They serve as the center of communication, connecting individuals/caregivers with members of the healthcare team and community to impact acute and chronic disease management and improve population health.

The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) says that Case Managers are “recognized experts and vital participants in the care coordination team who empower people to understand and access quality, efficient health care.” What a powerful statement!

Case Managers are the key to assisting clients navigate complex situations. They meet challenges head on, assist in connecting resources, identify potential issues, and collaborate with other healthcare providers to meet a client’s needs. And Case Management Week is a celebration of all of that!

The first Case Management Week was celebrated in 1999 and has since been an annual observance, recognizing the critical work these people do in advocating for patients, coordinating care, and ensuring access to essential healthcare resources. This is a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital readmissions, and managing complex care transitions. Over the years, “Encouraging, Engaging and Empowering” has been a primary theme.

The 2024 theme is Powering the Future of Healthcare. “The future of healthcare lies in the successful merger of human empathy and cutting-edge technology.” Case Managers equipped with these tools can do more than ever before, transforming the landscape of patient care. How will this be achieved?

• Using Sentiment Scoring: Through analyzing tone and content of interactions, sentiment scoring helps ensure patients feel heard, understood and cared for. This sets a positive foundation for the recovery journey, but also helps identify other areas for improvement.
• Creating Efficiencies through AI Tools: Using AI to sift through vast amounts of documentation and highlight words or phrases that indicate potential risks allows Case Managers to focus their attention and resources on these cases.
• AI-assisted Multilingual Calls: This system eliminates the obstacle of language barriers with real-time translation services enhancing the client’s experience and increasing the Case Manager’s efficiency.
• Mitigating Psychosocial Barriers: AI-powered mental health apps provide anonymous support to patients via a Chat Bot and self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy exercises.

I have the privilege of working with many Case Managers every day! You can find them at hospitals, health insurance companies, medical offices, mental health offices, outpatient clinics, doctor’s offices, rehabilitation facilities, and almost anywhere you might receive care. When Case Managers help patients discharge home, they assign agencies that provide services in the home such as personal care by Care Advantage, home health, palliative care, hospice care, medical equipment, and much more.

If you or a loved one need help, all you need to do is ask to speak with a Case Manager! In some settings, the title may differ, but the duties are the same. They are there to help you!

Join me in saying THANK YOU to Case Managers for the important, and often under-appreciated, work that they do!

I truly feel that where I am now is a culmination of all my career and personal experiences, blending together for a calling that feels very genuine. Believe it or not, I started my career as a health teacher. Over the years, I’ve worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep, sold clinical devices to hospitals, and spent time in skilled sales. I also worked in public relations at a hospital in Berlin, MD. On the personal side, like many who are drawn to home care, I had experienced the need for these services firsthand. My family and I have gone through the process of receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, among other challenges, and have had to come together to make difficult plans we never anticipated.

Because of my career path and personal life, transitioning into homecare sales felt like the most natural fit for me.

Last year, I took some time to reflect on my schedule and all the “windshield time” I was spending driving. I asked myself, how can I be more effective and efficient with my routes? So, I started asking my accounts a simple question: When during the week is the best time for me to visit? This opened up a great dialogue about what they truly needed from me, while also giving them the assurance that I’d be there at least once a week. I used this approach across my accounts until I was able to create a more efficient routing plan that minimized time on the road and maximized my impact.

What I think is really important is showing your accounts that you’re not just “a rep stopping by,” but a genuine solution to some of the challenges they face each week. A good rep knows their market and uses that knowledge to benefit their referral partners. I’m often asked, “Do you know someone who does [X]?” and by staying well-connected and informed, I’ve been able to become a trusted resource for my partners.

When I’m not out helping connect people with the best possible care, I’m usually spending time with my husband, our two adult sons, and our household full of pets!

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September is Falls Prevention Month, and this is one of my favorite subjects. As you may have read recently, I lost my father in 2014 as a result of a fall. So, while most people think “oh, it’s just a fall,” they are not realizing that a seemingly simple fall can lead to devastating consequences.

If you or an older adult in your life has fallen, you’re not alone. More than one in four people aged 65 or older fall each year. The risk of falling, and fall-related problems, rises with age. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has pegged falling as the leading cause of injury and death among adults age 65 and older.

We fall when an event challenges either our balance or our strength. When we’re young and healthy, we tend to have a better ability to stay upright. Meaning that if we stumble, we can often catch ourselves and recover without fully falling. But even then, a big enough knock off balance will send anyone of any age sprawling. There’s just a less likely chance of it causing severe injury or being life-threatening. The opposite is true as we age, and hip fractures are one of the most devastating injuries to older adults. Illness or weakness reduces anyone’s ability to stay upright, also regardless of age. This is why so many falls actually happen in hospitals! We all underestimate the power of sickness, even in ourselves.

Many older adults fear falling, even if they haven’t fallen before. This fear may lead them to avoid activities such as walking, shopping, or even taking part in social activities. This can create a downward spiral where they become less socially engaged, experience more physical decline and weakness, and become depressed.

Falls threaten an older person’s independence. As a result, many will not tell their doctor that they have fallen!

To prevent dangerous falls in an aging adult, be proactive about getting the right kind of medical assessment. A fall can be a sign of a new and serious medical problem that needs treatment. It could be something as “simple” as dehydration or a urinary tract infection causing the person to be weak.

Older adults who have fallen are also at a higher risk for falling again. And older patients often don’t get recommended care. Making sure things are not overlooked is crucial; for example, some medications can lead to worsened balance.

There are many risk factors that can contribute to falls, such as muscle weakness, vision problems, medical conditions, medications*, foot problems (including improper footwear), and environmental hazards.

*I put an asterisk beside medications because this one often goes unaddressed. Medications are one of the biggest reasons for falls in patients! The most common ones that can increase the risk of falling are ones that affect the brain (psychoactives), stabilize blood pressure, or that lower blood sugar. And as you probably are aware, many older adults are taking three or more medications – so that just ups the ante on risks.

Make sure the doctors have checked all the things that could have contributed to the fall, not just addressing injuries suffered from the fall. In addition to some of the concerns already mentioned, be sure to check blood pressure and pulse readings when sitting and when standing. Also ask to have blood tests done that check sodium levels, anemia, and so forth. Review gait and balance, podiatry, and vision. Evaluate for underlying heart conditions or neurological conditions, and absolutely check home safety.

To boost home safety, simple changes like removing throw rugs and marking hazardous thresholds or steps with glow tape can make a huge difference. Adding LED lights along the floor in the bathroom, grab bars in the shower and by the toilet, voice-activated electronics like alarm clocks, and window coverings that minimize glare on floors are all good extra measures.

Staying active is important to keeping your body healthy and actually helps to prevent falls. Focus on strength and balance training with regular and sustainable exercise. Tai Chi is an excellent balance training form of martial arts, often recommended for older adults and Parkinson’s patients. Gait training and walking are always good ways to exercise as well. Just remember to drink plenty of water, ensure good posture, do not overdo it, and slowly increase the duration of your exercises when starting out.

There are also ways you can sneak exercise and balance training into your day! Here are a few things you can do while making dinner or even while brushing your teeth:

• Stand with your back against the wall to align your posture
• Shuffle side to side, once then three times on each side
• Sway side to side, simply by shifting weight and keeping body in line with leg lifting
• Sway front to back and hold each position, as if a straight line is going through your body
• Toe walks
• Heel walks
• Balance on one leg at a time
• Marching in place with legs at hip height
• Toe touches to the front, side, back, then in circles
• Wall push-ups

Of course, there may be loved ones in your life that cannot gain strength and work on their balance. They may not be able to have medications reduced or changed. They may be in that pool of patients who are always going to be at high risk of falling. This is not something to play around with! While medical alert devices or security cameras may give families peace of mind, they cannot prevent a fall. If a fall knocks someone unconscious – or worse – a medical alert device is completely useless. The only way to truly keep the devastation from happening is to try to prevent the falls from happening altogether.

You cannot be a caregiver to a loved one around the clock. This is where Care Advantage comes in! Let us work with you to determine where your loved one’s highest needs and highest risks are. Are there certain times of the day when the falls tend to happen? Is non-compliance with meals, medications and hydration a concern? Are there hazards within their home that we, as a non-relative and unbiased third-party expert, might be able to convince your loved one to remove? Trust me when I say that I understand all too well the dynamics of being a daughter trying to tell a parent what to do and having them resist my recommendations!

Allowing our caregivers to assist your loved one during their highest risk times can alleviate a lot of stress for you and for them. While they may be stubborn and not want help at first, we find that after a few visits the help is greatly appreciated, and people realize that our help ensures they maintain their independence and safety in the home of their choice. Because that’s what aging in place is all about.

The best way to recover from a fall is to prevent it happening in the first place! That peace of mind is priceless, and so is the life of your loved one!

Meet Bonnie Kessler, a Coordinator on our Client Services team. She joined our team in January of this year and is already an important part of our Care Family. As a Coordinator, Bonnie helps assess our clients’ needs and makes sure they get the care they deserve. We asked Bonnie to answer a few questions about herself and her role in the company. Take a few moments to get to know Bonnie a little bit better.

What is your favorite thing about your job?
Helping patients and/or their family members navigate the next steps in a difficult and stressful time. Knowing every day I help at least one person makes me love what I do.

What is one professional skill that you are working on?
Prioritizing and time-management.

What is one song you have completely memorized?
Every Taylor Swift song!

What’s your favorite TV guilty pleasure?
Watching old music videos on YouTube.

What’s your hidden talent?
I am extremely good at jump-roping. 

In ten words or less, what profession, other than your current, would you choose to do and why?
Travel agent – so I could travel the world!

What is a hobby that you would love to do?
Would love to learn how to sew and be good at it!

What is something (either professionally or personally) that you are proud of?
Received the top store manager award 3 out of 5 years working for Express.

If you could add one thing to the company office, what would it be?
Massage chairs.

In ten words or less, what is the best advice you were ever given?
Learn to stop and smell the roses.

Meet Danny Martin, Senior Advisor on our Client Services team. We asked Danny to answer a few questions about himself and his role in the company. Take a few moments to get to know Danny a little bit better.

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Describe your role day-to-day.

I am often the first person inbound callers speak to. Through our thoughtful conversations, I am able to determine their unique needs and help them determine a plan of action, leading them through their often difficult time.

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Why did you choose to work for our company?

I wanted to help people and be of service.

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What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about this job is getting to relieve a small part of the stress and pain that is often felt by people in need of assistance.

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How long have you been working for the Care Advantage, Inc. family of brands?

3.5 years

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What are the top 3 reasons you would recommend our company to others?

We are sincerely caring, swift and thorough.

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What motivates you at work?

I am motivated by a combination of daily, metrics-driven goals as well as my desire to be of assistance to others.

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Who or what has influenced you the most in your professional career?

Tina Bell

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If you could add one thing to the company office, what would it be?

A client services administrator.

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What do you bring to the team and how would you describe your performing style?

I bring a calming interaction for clients as well as meticulous attention to detail and strong work ethic.

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Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by?

“Luck is a residue of design.”

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What is your go-to karaoke song?

Bon Jovi-Dead or Alive

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If you could invite three figures to a dinner party, who would you invite?

Abraham Lincoln, Charles Babbage and Socrates

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What is a hobby that you would love to do?

Gardening

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Favorite TV Guilty pleasure to watch?

Ghost Files

I strongly believe that people who work in healthcare have a calling. A “why,” if you will. It is impossible to have your heartstrings tugged at, deal with family dynamics, and do duties outside the box to help patients and families if your heart isn’t in the right place.

I have two “whys:” my mom and my daddy. 

In 2008, my mom was diagnosed with cancer in May and passed in October. I had the honor of seeing how hospice and personal care work together so beautifully! My only regret is not knowing enough about hospice to have gotten them involved much sooner in her journey. The caregivers gave Daddy back his freedom to attend Lion’s Club meeting and church on Sundays, knowing that Mom’s personal care needs – which he already struggled to provide – were attended to. When I visited, I was able to be “the daughter” again instead of cleaning toilets and trying to tell my parents what to do. That is a tough spot for any child to be in, when we have to become “the parent” to our parent. A third party alleviates that stress and allows the family to be just that. 

In 2014, Daddy took a tumble in the bathroom overnight. He was found the next morning by my sister, who just happened to stop by. He had surgery due to several broken vertebrae, got pneumonia during his inpatient rehab stay, and passed within days. We learned the hard way just how devastating an otherwise innocuous “fall” can be. 

I came to Care Advantage in May 2017, with the passion to “pay it forward.” I love educating families about what services in the home will allow their loved one to age in place to live out their retirement years the way they dreamed of. Because of my experiences with Mom and Daddy, I speak with families about the continuum of care in the home – from home health to palliative and hospice, and how personal care integrates with those disciplines for far better support. I wish my family had had someone like me to educate us on all of the options! 

Falls can be devastating, and far too many families underestimate the importance of prevention. I know we allowed Daddy’s stubbornness to get in the way of him having the extra help he should have had. While I cannot go back and redo things, I do often wonder if things had been different, if he would still be here today. Since life doesn’t give us do-overs, educating others about the risks like falls that can create premature crisis for a family, is my way of trying to make it right. 

In my time outside of work, I can be found most weekends at Smith Mountain Lake on the water in a 1973 KingsCraft houseboat that my husband and I totally renovated from the aluminum studs upward. And I am an honored furbaby momma to a 5 pound Pomeranian named Sazzie. I am a graduate of James Madison University with a BA in English with a concentration in communications, as well as a BA in theatre and dance. I have held some amazing positions over the years, but I have worked the longest and been the most rewarded in my heart during my seven years at Care Advantage! It has always been important for me to give back to my community, which was instilled by Mom and Daddy. I have been actively involved with the American Heart Association over the years, and have served on boards for the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley, the Square Society for Center in the Square, and Mountain View Humane Society, to name a few. I am currently in my ninth year on the board of the American Cancer Society, and in my fifth year planning their annual Cattle Baron’s Ball fundraiser in the Roanoke Valley. We are always seeking sponsors and other partners, if anyone is interested!

Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. This is a time to recognize past and present older Americans and their contributions to society, especially those who have defended our country. It’s also a time for highlighting aging trends, and reaffirming commitments to serving the older adults in our communities.

When I started my research for this month’s blog, my husband asked me what I was working on. When I told him about Older Americans Month, he looked at me and said “Aren’t you one of them?” Ha ha, honey, good one!

But that’s just it, we are all becoming Older Americans! Thinking about it now is what will allow us all to age in place and remain healthy in our retirement years! So this month we are recognizing a lifetime of hard work, devotion to family, and commitment to the community that has laid the foundation for the country we are today.

Did you know that in 1963, there were only 17 million living Americans that had reached their 65^th birthday? Today, we hear about people celebrating their 100^th birthday, and that is becoming more and more common. Also in 1963, a third of older adults lived in poverty, and close to half were without any health insurance. Changes were needed! In April 1963, a meeting was held between President John F Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens, leading to the designation of May as Senior Citizens Month – now Older Americans Month.

The goals behind this designation are what led to the passing of Medicare to deliver affordable, quality health care to our seniors. It also strengthened Social Security, which is the bedrock of American retirement. The ultimate goal was to raise our older adults out of poverty and extend lifespans of those who had worked hard their whole lives. Certainly, there is still more work to do to see these benefits continue! We are all reading the articles expressing concerns over the continuation of Social Security as well as Medicare. But no older adult should lie in bed at night wondering how they are going to pay for life-saving prescriptions or to put food on their table.

Each year, every President has issued a formal proclamation in late April or early May, requesting all citizens pay tribute to the Older Americans in their community. This year, President Biden delivered the proclamation on Saturday, May 4^th. This year’s theme is “Powered by Connection,” recognizing the impact that social connections and relationships have on our health and happiness. As we all learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness and isolation definitely impact our mental health! Interactions support independence and allow aging in place.

This month, support the older adults in your life and help them to get connected! Here are some ideas:

1)     Invite them to community events, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities.

2)     Encourage businesses and organizations to offer mentorships and peer-to-peer support led by older adults and the younger members.

3)     Help set up transportation services for them so that they can overcome obstacles to ensuring social interactions.

4)     Take a look at the older loved ones in your family and see what changes could really make a difference in their overall well-being.

Interestingly, more than half of Americans aged 65 and above are online! That means they are connecting in our world of social media and staying current. Have you helped an aging loved one in your family do so? If not, help them set up a smart phone or tablet, or purchase them a voice-activated home assistant like Alexa!

Only 3.6% of older Americans are in nursing homes. That’s wonderful news! We are definitely seeing a shift in how people age in place, and that’s the beauty of options like in-home personal care (by Care Advantage, of course!) and today’s fancy senior living communities. These options allow people to remain vibrant and active, and truly live their best life in those golden years!

I will end this on another positive note: older adults regularly get a good night’s sleep and 9 out of 10 manage their stress better than they did in their younger years. There is hope for us all!

Happy Older Americans Month, everyone!