Based in Tampa, Florida, Lifelines Academy & Network provides online education and business support to companies that offer products or services to the aging market. “By updating their site, we’ve been able to improve navigation, connect visitors with the services and information they seek, and provide enhanced integrated features to communicate with popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn,” said Matthew Haber, owner of Real Sparks LLC. “Lifelines is a progressive company designed as a one-stop shop for senior-focused small businesses. The company is growing every day, along with the aging population their clients serve. They needed an easy-to-update site in order to offer a content-rich and current online community for elder care business owners.”

Designed for enhanced functionality and usability, the revamped site delivers access to the expansive portfolio of education and training, professional association and conference information, as well as marketing and business consulting services. “We have been so impressed with Real Sparks that we furthered our partnership with them for the delivery of our company’s marketing services tailored to businesses serving seniors,” said Sheryl Hunter, CEO and co-founder. “Lifelines marketing clients have the combined benefit of our expertise in the aging market and Real Sparks’ talent with website design, social networking and search engine optimization.”

About Real Sparks LLC
Real Sparks LLC is a full service design, marketing and consulting agency based out of Saint Petersburg, Florida. Formed in 2011, Real Sparks LLC is founded on the principles of providing excellent service and accessible technology to businesses. Visit realsparks.net for more information.

On April 11, 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) released a report calling upon policymakers and other stakeholders to make dementia a global public health priority. With statistics, science and case studies, the report provides a wakeup call to the global community about the public health crisis the world is facing and urges all countries to develop a comprehensive national dementia plan. “Alzheimer’s, among all non-communicable diseases, demands our urgent and serious focus. We must find the political will and accompanying funding for more effective treatments, earlier detection and diagnosis, and most critically prevention and cures. Absent this level and scope of attention, Alzheimer’s will surely become the fiscal nightmare of the 21^st century, quite apart from the personal, family and community devastation it causes in its wake.”

Right at Home Tampa sees the toll dementia is already taking on families and community resources since most of our clients have some type of dementia, from earliest stages to advanced late stage. Safety is a huge concern with most because they tend to “fight” the reality of the diagnosis and continue to drive, cook, try to manage their medicines, etc. long past their abilities in these areas. Quality in-home care is extremely effective with dementia clients by assisting them in these areas and can be a cost-effective alternative well into the mid-stages of the diseases. Right at Home creates schedules and individualized care plans targeted to the unique circumstances of each client and takes into account the needs of the primary caregiver as well.

Particularly with Alzheimer’s, the journey is a marathon, not a sprint, and everyone involved must look at how to make all resources last to the end – not just monetary ones, but emotional and physical health as well. As a home care business owner and facilitator of two support groups, I’ve seen the power of people sharing resources, struggles, fears, and many successes.  Alzheimer’s is a tsunami of global proportions and everyone involved in this already occurring crisis needs to educate the communities they are in to address the soon to be overwhelming needs.

To read the full report (and pass along to legislators in your area) go to: Dementia: A Public Health Priority  at www.alz.co.uk/WHO-dementia-report

The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) has declared May 13-19, 2012, National Senior Move Managers Week. The theme of this 6th annual celebration is “It’s so much more than moving…” During this recognition week, NASMM and NASMM members around the US, Canada and abroad are promoting the value of Senior Move Management and Senior Move Managers’ commitment to assisting older adults and their families, not only the actual moving experience, but with the emotional and physical aspects of sorting through and downsizing a lifetime of memories in the relocation process.

Making a major move at any age is difficult and stressful. Recognizing and managing the stress of relocating older adults is the hallmark of the National Association of Senior Move Managers. “When older adults making a transition have not moved in 30, 40 or 50 years they need to downsize considerably,” said Mary Kay Buysse, NASMM’s Executive Director. “It’s so much more than moving when you are helping older adults transition to a new home. The organizational and physical tasks coupled with the safety and ethical issues associated with implementing such a move can be overwhelming.” NASMM members work with their older adult clients and families to reduce the stress and trauma that can accompany this type of move.

Adults aged 85 and above are the fastest growing segment of the US population. At the same time, social changes such as more women working full time have made it increasingly difficult for family caregivers to provide all of the support needed for these transitions. Senior Move Managers assist older-adults and their families in all aspects of downsizing and relocation.

Founded in 2002, The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) is a not-for-profit, professional association of organizations dedicated to assisting older adults and families with the physical and emotional demands of downsizing, relocating, or modifying their homes. As the only professional association in North America devoted to helping the rapidly increasing 55+ population with middle and later lifestyle issues, NASMM’s 700-plus members are committed to maximizing the dignity and autonomy of all older adults.

NASMM is nationally recognized for its innovative programs, leadership and expertise on issues related to Senior Move Management, transition and relocation issues affecting older adults. Before achieving full general membership, NASMM members must sign a Code of Ethics, are screened for experience and insurance and must pass certificate classes in Senior Move Management Ethics and Accountability and Senior Move Management Safety.  See the courses Lifelines Academy offers required for all new NASMM members.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2012

Contact:    1)  Sheryl Hunter, J. D., CEO, Lifelines Academy & Network

866-307-0827 or Sheryl@lifelinesacademy.com

2)  Matt Gurwell, Founder & CEO, Keeping Us Safe, LLC

877-907-8841 or info@keepingussafe.org 

(Tampa, FL)  Eldercare companies have stepped up to sponsor educational programs designed to contribute to the safety and independence of those seniors who should no longer be driving. These programs include webinars and seminars for the public and training for eldercare professionals. Classes are taught by Matt Gurwell of Keeping Us Safe, LLC http://www.keepingussafe.org/.  Free webinars are offered online by Lifelines Academy. http://lifelinesacademy.com/lifeline-products/lifelines-academy/courses/lifelines-master-classes/

Platinum Sponsor Cynthia Touchton, a financial advisor with Robert W. Baird & Co. in Palm Harbor  http://bairdfinancialadvisor.com/ctouchton/ explains “With the 65+ population set to increase 36% in just this decade alone, our society is in need of immediate solutions to the challenges associated with aging. Transportation is among the more significant issues because it’s important to physical and emotional independence.  I learned so much at one of Matt Gurwell’s seminars and want to help more people hear his message. I wish I had this education when I was caring for my mother.”

Some of the sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor Aging Wisely, LLC http://www.agingwisely.com/ , a geriatric care management firm, are hired to help resolve family disputes over taking the keys away. “Whenever possible, we facilitate compassionate conversations that help the elderly driver to accept that it’s time to move from the driver’s seat to the passenger’s seat, or to agree to use assistive devices to improve safety. It helps families to have a variety of tools and resources at their disposal to find solutions applicable to their family’s situation,” explains owner Linda Chamberlain.

Many families will face this dilemma of a loved one outliving their driving capability.  On average, men will live 6 years and women 10 years longer than they can drive, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. This equates to roughly 19% of Americans, or 13.9 million people, needing alternatives to driving in order to continue living independently in 2030 (US Census Bureau).

Gold sponsors of 2012 educational courses include Harmony Home Health, http://www.harmonyhh.com/ a private duty home health care agency; Montefu Consulting, http://www.montefuconsulting.com/ a Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits consulting firm; Welcome Home Relocation,  http://www.welcomehomerelocation.com/

a provider of senior move management and home organizing services; Nataly Rubinstein, http://alzheimerscareconsultants.com/ author of award winning book Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: The Caregivers Complete Survival Guide; The Kantner Law Firm, P.L., http://www.attorneykantner.com/ offering elder and estate planning legal services; and House to Home Relocation, http://hthrelocation.com/ a provider of senior move management and downsizing services.

All of the sponsors are members of Lifelines Academy & Network, a company dedicated to preparing businesses, professionals and families to meet the challenges of the aging of America through education and professional collaboration.  To learn more, visit us at http://www.lifelinesacademy.com.

Keeping Us Safe, LLC is a national organization based in Cleveland, Ohio, with a mission to provide older drivers and their families with tools necessary to confront the challenging issue of diminishing driving skills in the older driver.  To learn more about Keeping Us Safe’s products and programs or to enroll in the June 14, 2012, session of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” Professional Certification program taking place at Pacifica Senior Living Belleair in Clearwater, Florida, please visit http://www.keepingussafe.org or call toll-free 877-907-8841. PICTURE:

Sponsored seminar for the public, presented on March 14, at Pacifica Senior Living Belleair.

April 16, 2012, was the 5th Annual National Healthcare Decisions Day.  Setting a day to focus on this subject is meant to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning. Being in the healthcare world, I often see people plan for the “big” crises that get addressed in documents like living wills and healthcare surrogate provisions.  These are vitally important and everyone, no matter what age, should have them. However, caregivers to the seriously ill, aging, or those with some form of dementia often don’t think through the “what ifs” that can cause an unexpected crisis.

• What if you are the sole caregiver to your spouse with dementia and you have to have sudden surgery or become ill enough to go to the hospital? Who will take care of your loved one?
• What if you are in an accident and the person in the car with you has dementia? Would that person be able to take care of themselves while you’re transported to the hospital and out of commission?
• What if your mother has been doing okay living at home alone but has an accident and you’re told she can no longer live alone? Do you know the best assisted living or skilled nursing facility to move her to, how to pay for it, and what resources might be available to her to provide the services?
• What if your sibling, that you’re now responsible for, really could stay at home with some assistance in bathing, housekeeping, and transportation to doctors’ appointments? Do you know the most reliable homecare providers in the area, and do you know the difference between the providers’ business models of homecare and how that might affect you and your loved one?

It’s not enough just to have the legal documents – people need to talk to family members and providers to get educated about their choices to minimize conflict and promote comfort when the “what ifs” actually happen. To learn more visit www. nhdd.org for legal document advice and www.rightathome.net/tampa/ to learn how we can help you plan for the “what ifs” in your life.

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	Right at Home Of Tampa Right at Home Of Tampa Contact: Mimi Buderus Work Tampa, Florida United Stateswork Work Phone: 813-514-4724work Work Email: rahtampa@tampabay.rr.comINTERNET
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Biography Mimi Buderus is the Owner/CEO of an award-winning home health and assistance company, and has over 30 years experience in home care, both personal and professional. Her company, Right at Home of Tampa, provides non-medical, in-home care and assistance for seniors and other clients including support for rehabilitation, post-hospitalization, post-surgery, plastic surgery recovery and sudden, chronic and acute illnesses. Support can be short-term or for longer periods as needed, from an hour a day to 24/7. A specialty area of expertise, to which Mimi is dedicated, is in providing care for clients with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Mimi opened the Right at Home business in 2004. She chose this business as her ministry to the community. After 24 years as primary caregiver to both parents, she felt like she was abundantly qualified! Mimi’s qualifications and experience in the field also include being a Certified Senior Advisor, Board member of the National Private Duty Association-Florida Chapter, speaker for the American Heart Association, facilitator of an Alzheimer Support Group, speaker for the Senior Resource Council, and an Associate Member of the Professional Geriatric Care Manager Association. Because of her experience as a family caregiver for over 2 decades, Mimi knows the challenges people face with finding reliable, trustworthy, professional care and understands the needs of the people her company serves. She is guided by the fundamental question: “Would I want this caregiver in my home with my loved one?” Much time and attention is spent on screening potential caregivers and then on observing current caregivers’ performance. Mimi’s dedication to selecting wonderful people to care for her company’s clients has resulted in two Tampa Bay area awards for Caregiver of the Year along with Mimi being selected as a finalist for the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Health Care Hero Awards in 2009. To continue her ministry of service, Mimi is starting a new support group focusing on general caregiving challenges and education. Caregivers of Someone Aging (COSA) will begin on October 4, 2011 at Horizon Bay of Hyde Park.

Press Release

Contacts: Beth Zaski, Lifelines Academy & Network 813-690-8004

Heidi Bushko, Bushko Insurance Group 727-470-3197

Safety Harbor, FL April 9, 2012:  Heidi L. Bushko of Bushko Insurance Group, Inc. has been awarded a professional degree in the field of long-term care, Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC). The program is independent of the insurance industry and focuses on providing financial service professionals the tools needed to meet their client’s long-term care needs.

“The field of long-term care is complex. It intersects with other professions such as financial planning, tax law, home care, government funding and elder law. My ability to serve the community depends on understanding what resources, such as housing and services, clients will need as they age and how they will be paid for,” Ms. Bushko explained.

“I have had far too many families ask for my advice on what they can do after a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or some other chronic illness. The fact is there is little that can be done at this point and now these families are faced with years of physical stress and heartache. This is compounded by the reality that paying for care can easily devastate their family’s financial viability,” Ms. Bushko stated.

“It is my responsibility to help people understand the emotional, physical and financial consequences associated with providing or paying for care over an extended period of time. It is essential they have this information so they can take action to protect those they love while they have options. I am committed to helping my clients create an appropriate plan to meet their specific needs”, said Bushko.

Ms.Bushko can be reached at:  727-470-3197 or heidi@heidibushko.com.  Bushko Insurance Group is located in Safety Harbor, FL.

For more information about CLTC please visit www.ltc-cltc.com.

It is just about that time of year again as April 15^th is fast approaching on the calendar.  Are you searching for additional deductions?  Well, an often-overlooked aspect of dealing with our elderly clients, patients, and even our own family members is the tax deductibility of medical costs incurred.  Though a tax deduction does not provide additional or new sources of income to pay for eldercare, the tax savings realized could stretch the dollars and make the difference between being able to pay for home-based healthcare services or assisted living.

If you itemize deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A, you may be able to deduct expenses paid during the year for medical and dental care, for yourself, a spouse, and any dependents.  This is very important to remember at tax time and could mean substantial tax savings.  In order to qualify, your total medical expenses for the year must exceed 7.5% (10% beginning December 31, 2012) of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI).

Example: Your AGI is $40,000, 7.5% of which is $3,000. You paid medical expenses of $2,500. You cannot deduct any of your medical expenses because they are not more than 7.5% of your AGI.

Medical care expenses include those more obvious things such as out-of-pocket costs for diagnosis, treatments, and other medical remedies, however, don’t forget that it can also include the insurance premiums paid for policies that cover medical care such as Medicare Part B and D, or for a qualified long-term care insurance policy.

If the taxpayer is also claiming a separate person as a dependent, the taxpayer can add their medical and dental expenses to his or her own to add up to the 7.5% requirement for deductibility.  I commonly find situations where the adult child or children of the care recipient have been financially assisting a parent or parents with medical costs.  To be able to claim another person’s medical expenses on a tax return, the taxpayer must pay over half of the person’s financial support, and be related to that person or lived with that person for a full calendar year.  Where more than one person has assisted with the costs of medical care, only one person may claim the deduction and it should be based upon an agreement among the parties providing the financial support.

In order to qualify as a dependent, the person’s gross income for the year must be less than $3,650, however certain income sources are exempt from this total such as Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.

What is a “Medical and Dental Expense”?  Medical and dental expenses can include a wide array of different types of procedures, medicines, and care providers.  IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, available at www.IRS.gov, provides a list of allowable medical and dental expenses. Some, but not all, of the expenses permitted are as follows:

• Payments of fees to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, and psychologists
• Payments for transportation to receive medical care such as taxi, bus, ambulance, and even personal vehicle out-of-pocket costs such as for oil and gas, or the amount of the standard IRS mileage rate
• Premiums paid for health insurance and qualified long-term care insurance policies (limitations apply)
• Medical equipment to include crutches, wheelchairs, hearing aids, contact lenses and glasses, oxygen equipment, and even modifications to the home for handrails, grab bars, and wheelchair ramps
• Personal care items such as disposable diapers
• Entrance fees for assisted living facilities, including continuing care facilities (they should be able to provide you with a breakdown of what portion of fees are attributable to medical costs)

You cannot deduct over-the-counter medicine, toiletries, cosmetics, vitamins, or funeral and burial expenses, or prescription medicine costs that were reimbursed.

There are many other expenses that may be allowable that are not included in this article, therefore you should personally review the IRS guidelines as provided in Publication 502, or speak to your tax return preparer.

Richard (“Rick”) I. Kantner, Jr., was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1993, and his practices areas include Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate Administration, and Medicaid and V.A. Benefits Planning.  Mr. Kantner is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (“NAELA”) and the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar. Offices in St. Petersburg, Largo/Belleair, and Palm Harbor, Florida.

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	The Kantner Law Firm, PL The Kantner Law Firm, PL Contact: Richard Kantner Work 31 Beach Drive, SE Bayfront Tower St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 United Stateswork Work Phone: 727-781-8201work Work Email: rick@attorneykantner.comINTERNET
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Biography The Kantner Law Firm is dedicated to the needs and concerns of individuals and families in planning and securing their future. Richard (Rick) Kantner is admitted to the Florida Bar (1993), U.S. District Court, U.S. Supreme Court, is an Accredited Veterans Administration Attorney, and focuses on wills, trusts and estates, Elder Law (including VA Benefits and Medicaid planning), and real estate. Consultations are complimentary. Offices in St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, and Largo.

IMMEDIATE REALEASE

Contact:    1)  Sheryl Hunter, J. D., CEO, Lifelines Academy & Network

866-307-0827 or Sheryl@lifelinesacademy.com

2)  Matt Gurwell, Founder & CEO, Keeping Us Safe, LLC

877-907-8841 or info@keepingussafe.org

(Tampa, FL)  Eight companies that serve seniors and family caregivers have stepped up to sponsor an innovative educational program designed to contribute to the safety and independence of seniors who should no longer be driving. The Beyond Driving with Dignity Training & Certification class is taking place at The Villas of Belleair on March 15^th and will educate eldercare professionals to effectively address this pervasive and growing challenge.

Fewer topics are as tough to broach with elderly loved ones or clients than “taking the keys away.” Fortunately, one man is on a mission to save lives by teaching others how to help seniors move from the driver’s seat to the passenger’s seat with their dignity and independence intact. This man is Matt Gurwell, a former State Trooper and the founder & CEO of Keeping Us Safe, LLC. http://www.keepingussafe.org/ “Companies sponsor our training because they know firsthand how desperately we need solutions to this growing problem. I so appreciate their support in the cause of Keeping Us Safe.”

Platinum Sponsor Aging Wisely, LLC, http://www.agingwisely.com/ a geriatric care management firm, explains “In our many years serving seniors and families, the issue of senior driving safety comes up time and time again so we know how tough this issue can be for families.  We are proud to sponsor this program in our local community because it not only raises awareness of an important issue, it provides concrete tools for families to better deal with concerns and assist aging loved ones through different stages.”

Also a Platinum Sponsor, Cynthia Touchton, http://bairdfinancialadvisor.com/ctouchton/

Senior Investment Consultant with Robert W. Baird & Co., empathizes with the desire to drive forever. With Varoom on her license plate, it should come as no surprise that she predicts “someone is going to have to peel my fingers off the wheel of my little black corvette if a day comes that I should no longer be driving, and they better have been trained to deal with my reaction!”  While her focus is the financial security of her clients, Cynthia is sensitive to this issue. “Balancing the need to be safe with the need for independence   is no easy task. Having addressed the challenge with my own Mother and many clients, I have a passion for promoting smart solutions to this highly emotional transition in a life.”

Most people will have to make this difficult transition because nearly all people outlive their driving capability; men by an average of six years and women by an average of 10 years, as reported by the US Department of Health and Human Services. In fact, according to the US Census Bureau, roughly 19% of Americans, or 13.9 million people, will need alternatives to driving in order to continue living independently in 2030.

Gold sponsors of the March 15th course in Clearwater include  Harmony Home Health, http://www.harmonyhh.com/ a private duty home health care agency; Montefu Consulting, http://www.montefuconsulting.com/

a Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits consulting firm; Welcome Home Relocation,  http://www.welcomehomerelocation.com/

a  provider of senior move management and home organizing services; Nataly Rubinstein, http://alzheimerscareconsultants.com/ author of award winning book Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: The Caregivers Complete Survival Guide; The Kantner Law Firm, P.L., http://www.attorneykantner.com/

offering elder and estate planning legal services; and House to Home Relocation, http://hthrelocation.com/

a provider of senior move management and downsizing services. All of the sponsors are members of Lifelines Academy & Network, http://www.keepingussafe.org/

a company dedicated to preparing businesses, professionals and families to meet the challenges of the aging of America through education and professional collaboration.

Keeping Us Safe, LLC is a national organization based in Cleveland, Ohio, with a mission to provide older drivers and their families with tools necessary to confront the challenging issue of diminishing driving skills in the older driver.  To learn more about Keeping Us Safe’s programs or to enroll in the March 15, 2012, session of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” Professional Certification program, please visit http://www.keepingussafe.org

or call toll-free 877-907-8841.

Caregiving is time consuming and physically draining. Many caregivers no longer go out with friends or pursue interests, resulting in isolation and depression. They also struggle to maintain a satisfactory performance at work because of doctor’s appointments and emergencies that interrupt the work day, placing their livelihood in jeopardy.

Caring for a parent can also cause problems in a person’s family life. Time attending to a parent is time away from one’s spouse, child or significant other who may experience hurt feelings or even anger.  This results in more stress for the caregiver.

Taking care of a parent also takes a toll on one’s physical health. Heart disease, digestive problems, insomnia, obesity and depression are just a few of the many health conditions that correlate with chronic stress. Caregivers often neglect the signs of their own declining health leading to dire consequences.

There are ways to protect the lives of both the parent and the adult child.  The goal is to enable the adult child to provide a balanced amount of care, avoiding caregiver burnout. First, the caregiver should accept help, early and often. Assistance can come from friends, family and neighbors. However, because it is work to coordinate volunteers, having consistent and reliable professional assistance is often the best way to alleviate the stress on the caregiver while improving the overall care of the parent.

“Home Health Care companies coordinate care, have the expertise to manage medications and are attuned to the physical and psychological needs of older adults” explains AC-Healthcare President Andre Vera. “Being the most reliable and helpful member of a family caregiver’s team is the mission of my company and our professionally trained staff.”

Many people have taken the full responsibility of caring for their aging parent because they do not want to place Mom or Dad under someone else’s care. Parents spend several years out of their life raising children and it’s natural for a grown child to want to return the favor. Yet, being a middle-aged adult, working, raising children and also taking care of one’s elderly or infirm parent without adequate assistance can place the adult child’s financial, physical, emotional and family life at risk.

Caregiving is time consuming and physically draining. Many caregivers no longer go out with friends or pursue interests, resulting in isolation and depression. They also struggle to maintain a satisfactory performance at work because of doctor’s appointments and emergencies that interrupt the work day, placing their livelihood in jeopardy.

Caring for a parent can also cause problems in a person’s family life. Time attending to a parent is time away from one’s spouse, child or significant other who may experience hurt feelings or even anger.  This results in more stress for the caregiver.

Taking care of a parent also takes a toll on one’s physical health. Heart disease, digestive problems, insomnia, obesity and depression are just a few of the many health conditions that correlate with chronic stress. Caregivers often neglect the signs of their own declining health leading to dire consequences.

There are ways to protect the lives of both the parent and the adult child.  The goal is to enable the adult child to provide a balanced amount of care, avoiding caregiver burnout. First, the caregiver should accept help, early and often. Assistance can come from friends, family and neighbors. However, because it is work to coordinate volunteers, having consistent and reliable professional assistance is often the best way to alleviate the stress on the caregiver while improving the overall care of the parent.

“Home Health Care companies coordinate care, have the expertise to manage medications and are attuned to the physical and psychological needs of older adults” explains AC-Healthcare President Andre Vera. “Being the most reliable and helpful member of a family caregiver’s team is the mission of my company and our professionally trained staff.”

AC-Healthcare Home Health Care has a team of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants and home health care aides. They manage health conditions, perform light housekeeping, prepare meals, assist with the activities of daily living, and escort clients to doctor’s appointments. The company also offers speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and recreational therapy.

With companies like AC-Healthcare to assist, there is no need for adult children to place their lives at risk to care for a parent. Call today or refer a caregiver you know who needs help!

AC-Healthcare Home Health Care provides qualified, experienced, and professional healthcare personnel to clients who require skilled nursing or personal nursing services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the appropriate caregiver is chosen for each client with the goal of achieving maximum client satisfaction. License #30211287: registered to provide homecare services to clients in the Florida counties of Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk. 813-661-8800

AC-Healthcare Home Health Care has a team of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants and home health care aides. They manage health conditions, perform light housekeeping, prepare meals, assist with the activities of daily living, and escort clients to doctor’s appointments. The company also offers speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and recreational therapy.

With companies like AC-Healthcare to assist, there is no need for adult children to place their lives at risk to care for a parent. Call today or refer a caregiver you know who needs help!

AC-Healthcare Home Health Care provides qualified, experienced, and professional healthcare personnel to clients who require skilled nursing or personal nursing services.  We are dedicated to ensuring that the appropriate caregiver is chosen for each client with the goal of achieving maximum client satisfaction. License #30211287: registered to provide homecare services to clients in the Florida counties of Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk. 813-661-8800

Recently a young mother called us to ask about our moving services. She said “I know you specialize in moving older people, but I need help!” She had heard how senior move managers take a holistic, start to finish turnkey approach with a focus on moving people, not just their things.  Overwhelmed by the accumulation of the kids school projects and outgrown toys along with physical limitations related to a recent surgery, this 30-something Mom was in need of an extra set of hands and a partner in the process of making de-cluttering decisions. While we do help people of all ages relocate, this young woman’s call got me thinking about what it means to be a senior move manager and what makes our services especially desirable for older adults.

What’s a “Senior Move Manager”?  

If the job title is unfamiliar, you are not alone.  A small but fast growing profession, there are over 600 of us throughout the United States and Canada. Our professional development has been guided by the National Association of Senior Move Managers and senior business educators like Lifelines Academy & Network. Members are committed to developing expertise on age-related issues so that we are equipped to address the physical and emotional aspects of moving later in life.

The reality is that when older adults move it is often to a smaller home or assisted living apartment and that means letting go of possessions and places that represent memories. Some clients are suffering from the recent death of a spouse, or are facing loss of independence due to a medical condition. Even if excited about “right-sizing” to a better suited living environment, change is stressful and moves are laborious. A caring, dedicated expert can make a huge difference during such a significant transition.

Senior Move Manager & Transition Specialists’ Services:

How is a senior move manager different from a moving company?  The typical moving company moves your belongings. Senior Move Managers do so much more!  We are your partner in all phases of the process, helping you to make decisions, liquidate what you do not want, make charitable donations or ship gifts to loved ones, organize photographs and documents, and provide a turnkey greeting at your new residence. We are trained to minimize stress, eliminate physical injury, preserve memories and sooth emotions and welcome you to a ready-to-live-in home.  Once the mover places furniture and boxes in a client’s new residence, our job is to unpack everything and re-create as similar a surrounding as possible.  So at the end of the move day, a client can sit in his or her favorite chair with TV remote and best books close by and photos familiarly placed and hung.

As a senior move manager, I have attended NASMM conferences to learn to recognize transfer trauma suffered by older adults who are relocating after many years in the same living environment. I have done space planning and researched products that enhance safety and familiarity. I have studied the signs of dementia and needs of people with memory impairments.  I am dedicated to implementing strategies to help clients preserve memories while downsizing. The truth is that there are unique aspects of moving later in life that require specialized services and senior move managers, also known as “Senior Transition Specialists”, are the experts you can rely upon to make your move manageable – even enjoyable!