Who Will Care for Your Mom?

Even though I’ve been in the business of senior care for the past 20 years, it all took a personal turn for me recently.

Last fall, my parents were in an auto accident that left my mother severely injured. After several weeks in the hospital, she was ready to be discharged. With oxygen, IV medications and a three-person transfer requirement, we had no option but to find the best skilled nursing center available to her.

We had a choice of three nursing homes that had contracts with her insurance provider. Having been in the business of long term care for two decades, I called a few of my contacts and picked the best option – I thought.

Over the next two months, I realized on a personal level what I’ve known on a professional level for years: Good training of staff is NOT optional if you want good care – it’s a requirement.

This week, NBC Nightly News is airing a special series on “Trading Places: When kids care for aging parents” (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17121113/). Clearly, I am not alone in realizing that training – of the people caring for MY loved one – is a very personal matter. Over 36 million Americans over age 65 feel this need personally, as do the families of some 5 million Americans over age 85. By the year 2020, over 10 million disabled seniors will present the largest disabled group in the history of this country.

As America’s Baby Boomers age, the system of care will be taxed beyond what we can currently conceive. How will we adequately staff these care settings, let alone train and retain qualified workers?

Who will care for YOUR mom – and mine?

Developing systems that train, motivate, engage and excite the people providing this care will no longer be optional, it will be essential.

We have begun a journey to help create this system; more importantly, we have begun our journey as individuals – and as a company – to work to improve the lot of caregivers throughout this system of care.

Join us. (http://www.aQuireTraining.com)