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June 2008
ASKING AGEING PARENTS THE TOUGH QUESTIONS - "The 40-70 Rule"
- Has your widowed father re-entered the dating scene?
- Why is your mother forgetting to pay her bills?
- Why is the food in your parents’ kitchen cupboard past its expiry-date?
These are just some of the awkward topics that adult children feel uncomfortable talking to their ageing parents about.
Leading home services provider Home Instead Senior Care has started a national campaign urging baby boomers around Australia to bridge the communication gap and speak to their older parents about a variety of sensitive seniors’ topics.
The 40/70 campaign urges adult children to initiate important conversations with their parents when they reach the age of 40, or their parents turn 70.
“Many people have no idea how to approach a parent, for example, on their recent memory loss, driving skills, or new ‘friend’ following the death of their wife or husband,” Home Instead Senior Care director Martin Warner said.
According to international Home Instead Senior Care research, major communication obstacles stemmed from the continuation of the parent-child role.
“Many families still operate according to a parent-child model rather than a peer to peer one and this makes conversations particularly difficult,” Mr Warner said.
Home Instead Senior Care’s franchises in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and WA will distribute a free booklet to their clients called the 40/70 Rule, A Guide to Conversation Starters for Boomers and their Senior Loved Ones
The booklet offers tips on how to approach your parents on a range of subjects, including memory loss, finances and physical health and wellbeing.
How can you find out more?
Members of the public can also access communication tips from the 40/70 Rule Website www.homeinstead.com.au
There is handy information on elder care services, communication obstacles, where to go for help and finding home care for your loved one.
May 2008
Home Instead Senior Care set to expand franchises in Care Connect deal
LEADING Australian home care services franchise Home Instead Senior Care will triple its number of franchises under a new deal with national not-for-profit organisation Care Connect.
Care Connect will open up to 20 new Home Instead Senior Care franchises over the next three years throughout Australia, with the first opening at North Lakes, north of Brisbane next week.
Home Instead Senior Care, which aims to help seniors live independently in their own home for as long as possible, currently has eight franchises in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.
“We’re very excited to grant franchise rights to an organisation like Care Connect, which delivers government-funded care programs for older people throughout Australia” Home Instead Senior Care director Martin Warner said.
“Care Connect has extensive experience helping people with complex care needs, their family and their carers. It also shares Home Instead Senior Care’s vision of improving older people’s quality of life by helping them remain in their own community, close to their family and friends.”
He said Home Instead Senior Care’s expansion would allow more people around Australia to access its wide range of non-medical services, including companionship, meal preparation, transport to appointments, personal care, light housekeeping, medication reminders and early stages Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
Care Connect CEO Nick Woodlock said Care Connect’s interest in Home Instead Senior Care had stemmed from a successful working relationship.
“We had previously utilised Home Instead Senior Care’s services for our clients and we were impressed with the responsiveness, effectiveness and quality of care,” he said.
“As we shared the same values and commitment to our clients, it seemed like a natural progression to become part of and operate our own Home Instead Senior Care franchises.
“We look forward to providing our clients with a wider choice of non-medical services and direct, one-on-one care in the comfort of their own homes.”
Care Connect will have full ownership of its Home Instead Senior Care offices.
The first new Care Connect-operated HISC franchise will open on Monday, May 19 at Suite 10, Evergreen Lifestyle Centre, 12 Discovery Drive, North Lakes. Call (07) 3482 0800 for more information.
Martin Warner Director (07) 3720 8400 |
Nick Woodlock Chief Executive Officer Care Connect (03) 9270 9999 |
ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE
Home Instead Senior Care is the largest senior care company in the world, with over 700 franchises in 12 countries, including Australia. Founded by Paul and Lori Hogan, the first Home Instead Senior Care office was established in the United States in 1994. There are seven offices in Australia.
Home Instead Senior Care supports its clients to live an independent lifestyle in their own home for as long as possible.
Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained and fully insured to assist older people – from a few hours a day to up to 24 hours a day - with a range of non-medical services including personal care, companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, transport for appointments, shopping and errands; respite and convalescence care; early stage dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
ABOUT CARE CONNECT
Care Connect is a not-for-profit organisation specialising in assessment, case management, and brokerage services.
It has expertise working with people with complex care needs and their families/carers. Care Connect’s aim is to improve its clients’ quality of life and their capacity to remain living in their community.
Care Connect is funded by State and Federal Government programs, and operates in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia.
