5 Resources And Services Making Life Easier For Seniors And Their Families
As your relatives age, it can be difficult to help them in the ways you'd like, either because they're far away or because you simply can't be there all the time. Luckily, you're not alone in this problem, and there are a lot of options, from assistance with errands to residential communities or comprehensive home care, so your loved ones can live however they wish. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
6 Helpful Resources For Seniors
| Name | Offerings |
|---|---|
| Papa | App that matches seniors in need of assistance or companionship with young people eager to offer help, with services like transportation, grocery deliveries, and household tasks |
| Leisure Care | Independent and assisted living communities throughout the United States, with a variety of available amenities and a comprehensive memory care program |
| Winterlight Labs | Proprietary tablet-based technology that assesses cognitive health such as memory, thinking, and reasoning by analyzing hundreds of language markers from short snippets of speech |
| Ecumen | Senior living provider with options for home care, independent and assisted living, memory care, short and long-term rehab, transportation and companion services, and hospice care |
| FirstLight Home Care | In-home caregivers for seniors, veterans, adults with disabilities, and post-operative recovery care, including help with meal preparation, household tasks, and even travel companionship |
FirstLight Home Care Caregiver of the Year Cynthia English
Statistics On Aging in America
- 47 million: number of seniors in the United States
- 14.5%: Percentage of Americans 65 and over
- 95 million: Projected number of seniors in 2060
- 78: Average American life expectancy
- 20%: Percentage of seniors who have yet to retire
- 3%: Contingent of seniors who live in nursing homes
- 19%: Senior population of Florida, highest in the U.S.
- 41%: Obesity rate among those 60 and older
- 38: Current median age in the US
- 43: Projected median age in 2060
- 8.5%: Number of seniors 65 and over who smoke cigarettes
- 12.14%: Percentage of women age 75 and over living in poverty in the US
The Papa Experience: A day with Sam Cirrincione
In Depth
Aging brings with it a range of new challenges, but with proper support, the retirement years can be a time of enormous fulfillment and enjoyment. There are many tools, services, and residential communities that enable seniors to lead healthy and enriching lifestyles. In no particular order, here are six sources for elder assistance.
Leading off our list at #1 is Papa, an app that matches seniors in need of assistance or companionship with young people eager to offer help. The company hires caregivers known as Papa Pals, who undergo thorough background checks and set their own schedules, to aid with everyday tasks like housekeeping and running errands. Pals can also visit simply to provide company for home-bound or isolated elders.
The services Papa Pals provide include grocery delivery, transportation to doctor appointments or other important errands, and instruction in using up-to-date technology. The company also enables virtual visits for those unable to connect in person due to health concerns. Papa provides options for employers and health systems, and its blog and video gallery share perspectives on elder tech and senior care.
Papa provides options for employers and health systems, and its blog and video gallery share perspectives on elder tech and senior care.
Next up at #2 is Leisure Care, which offers retirement and assisted living options aimed at helping elders find enjoyment in their sunset years. This company's residential communities provide amenities like fine seasonal cuisine, holistic fitness programs, and numerous events for recreation and socializing. Its locations also offer cognitive wellness support, such as music therapy and personalized memory care, to keep clients' minds active.
Leisure Care's communities provide both independent and assisted living options, with many services to support an active lifestyle. Residents have access to an in-house travel agency to plan vacations around the world, offering group trips as well as individual journeys. The company provides informational resources on various aspects of elder care and senior living, and shares stories from longtime residents.
Our #3 entry is Winterlight Labs, providing technological solutions for identifying and tracking cognitive impairment, through digital analysis of speech patterns. The company's tablet-based assessment can collect data from simple verbal tasks performed by participants, and aims to identify verbal markers of Alzheimer's, offering a possible path to early-stage diagnosis.
The company's tablet-based assessment can collect data from simple verbal tasks performed by participants, and aims to identify verbal markers of Alzheimer's, offering a possible path to early-stage diagnosis.
Winterlight Labs' technology incorporates machine learning to identify telltale verbal markers of cognitive decline. The company performs clinical research in partnership with senior care facilities, and conducts studies on aging and depression open to participation from the public. Winterlight Labs also gives talks and shares news about elder care technology.
#4 in our overview is Ecumen, which operates an array of services and housing options for elders. The organization offers facilities for both independent and assisted living, with numerous activities to help residents maintain an engaged lifestyle; it also provides short-stay rehabilitation, and care centers for those requiring all-day assistance. Ecumen provides affordable housing based on income, and offers consulting services for senior residential development projects.
In addition to its elder living communities, Ecumen provides resources including home support and nursing care, help with everyday tasks, and options for food delivery and dining. The organization's adult day services and respite facilities extend assistance to caregivers, and The Ecumen Store sells medical equipment and adaptive goods. Hospice services are also available for those in need of end-of-life care.
The organization's adult day services and respite facilities extend assistance to caregivers, and The Ecumen Store sells medical equipment and adaptive goods.
Concluding our list at #5 is FirstLight Home Care, a network of in-residence service providers for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those recovering from illness or injury. FirstLight franchises perform companion services and personal care, providing social interaction and assisting with day-to-day challenges such as mobility and food preparation. The company also offers a unique program of personalized support for those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
FirstLight offers brain health services to help maintain cognitive health as clients age, and a Travel Companion Program to accompany those who are vacationing or visiting relatives. The company supports family caregivers, providing temporary respite housing for loved ones, and offers options for busy families who need extra help. FirstLight shares resources on caring for elders and people with disabilities, including the Ask Our Nurse informational tool.
