Dorothy says in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home,” a sentiment that we in the aging care industry agree wholeheartedly with. For seniors who have lived a lifetime in their homes, the thought of moving can feel like going to Mars, according to Cathy Cress, MSW, an author and expert in aging life and geriatric care. Suddenly, the senior has to learn to navigate a new environment, and both independence and free will seem to be lost.
Your private duty home care marketing strategies need to include the education families require to understand that aging at home is very often a viable and preferred option for seniors. Many families are unaware that home care exists, believing that nursing home care is inevitable.
If family members are uncertain about whether home care might be a possibility, there are two steps Cress recommends families take:
- Consult with the doctor. If the senior has a health condition or cognitive impairment, the physician can advise on in-home services that can help him or her live safely at home.
- Consult with a geriatric care manager. Geriatric care managers provide an objective assessment and can help devise an effective plan for care and can even help families come to a consensus when there are differences of opinion about appropriate care.
Isolation or loneliness can also be factors to consider above and beyond health needs. Having in-home care helps older adults stay active, to continue to be engaged in hobbies, attend religious services and social outings, visit with friends, etc.
Working in tandem with a senior’s physician, geriatric care manager, and others with a vested interest in his or her wellbeing, a home care agency can assure families of the ability for the older adult to remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home for a lifetime.
The MOST program can help your agency implement effective private duty home care marketing strategies to educate those seeking a care solution and to position you as the go-to aging care expert in your area. Contact us to learn more about MOST, our geographically-limited marketing membership program. You can reach us at 800.370.6580 to learn more.