Today is World Down Syndrome Day.

I want to introduce you to Clint. He is 45 years old and lives with Downs syndrome. He is a large man with difficulty walking; he is a type two diabetic with vision problems and signs of early-onset dementia. Clint is unable to live alone and is currently living with his mom. Clint`s mom struggles with his personal care and day-to-day needs. They receive support with the help of a case manager. At the time, I was not familiar with these organizations.

After a few phone calls and research, I uncovered organizations called brokerages that help adults with disabilities identify needed support. Many of their clients are living with Downs syndrome. The need for services in our community is off the charts. Case managers scramble to meet the growing demand for care.

Today approximately 450,000 people are living with Downs syndrome. Many need family and community support to remain independent.

In the 1940s, a child with Down syndrome had a life expectancy of 12 years. Today, their life expectancy is 60 years, and a baby born with Down syndrome could live into their 80s — in line with the general population.

According to the National Down Syndrome Society, about 30% of people with Down syndrome who are in their 50s have Alzheimer`s dementia. About 50% of people with Down syndrome in their 60s have Alzheimer`s dementia.

Clint expressed an interest in the local senior center. I was astounded when the director called me to say he was not welcome because he was under fifty. Clint already had so many roadblocks, and now this one. Let`s say this was not our last conversation.

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." - Thomas A. Edison.

If you provide #home care services, I encourage you to learn more about helping adults with developmental disabilities. The work is rewarding and refreshing. ...

Is your #IN-HOME care brand recognized like Mcdonalds, Starbucks, or Nike?

You may need more than the umbrella brand if you are part of a franchise or regional healthcare organization. And if you have hung up your shingle, you must establish your company as a leader in your community.

Being known within the local healthcare community is essential, but do your prospective clients know, like, and trust your brand?

"Hi Kelli, I spoke to you last week about meeting with my parents next Wednesday. Does that still work for you?" "Sure, I said warmly, I am looking forward to seeing you." "Great, I took a look at your website and I have a few questions." "Acutually, my company is XYZ." "Oh, I am so sorry, I called so many people, but I knew I wanted to meet with you."

So how do you elevate your brand with prospective clients, caregivers, and referral partners?

Participate in local events and support others in their efforts. This is a great way to learn about your competitors and other services that may help your #clients and #caregivers.
Embrace social media, and sing to the rooftops to anyone who will listen. It`s noisy out there, so this is all about consistency.
Show up in service first and foremost. Ask your influence centers, customers, and caregivers how you can better serve their needs.
Poll your audiences; never assume you know the answer.
Offer education and partner with other like-minded businesses to serve your audience.
"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." - Mother Teresa. ...

Fifteen years ago, my mom took her last breath. She was only seventy. She had so much life to live. She would have loved her granddaughters to pieces. I will never forget that day. We all knew the end was coming, but nothing could have prepared me for the emptiness I would feel.

Caring for someone medically complex and critically ill consumes your mind day and night. When that responsibility and purpose disappear, an inexplicable void takes its place. Why did this happen to our family? It`s not fair. Why did my mom have to endure this pain and suffering? Those questions and more consumed my thoughts.

My gram was still living then and felt tremendous guilt for outliving her daughter. She often told me, "It`s not natural to outlive your children. I have lived a full life and would do anything to trade places with your mom. She should be here with her kids." We don`t get to choose. Life does not always go our way.

For the next few years, I worked diligently in my in-home care business, helping other families and sharing what I knew from my experience. I kept feeling like it was not enough. Families needed more. Have you ever heard anyone say your mess is your message? Well, for me, that certainly rings true.

Caregiving is my life`s work, but for most, it is an unexpected stop, even though we all know our parents will age and most will need help. So why not plan and have conversations about what the future holds? Did you know that 40% of people don`t plan on conversing with their parents? It`s never a good time to bring up uncomfortable topics, but it is much better than finding yourself in an emergency with your back against the wall. I have had to speak on my mom`s behalf more than once, and without knowing her wishes, it would have been next to impossible to make those decisions.

Today and every day, I honor my mom by sharing her story. I want her to know that her suffering did not go unnoticed. I am grateful she is no longer living with debilitating pain, and I will remember her always as a vibrant, loving mom. XOXO ...

The #Invisible Generation

It was a Saturday afternoon at Costco. The wind blew, and the temperatures were bitterly cold; people hovered around the entrance as they jockeyed for their place in line.

You know the drill if you have been to the big box store. Get your shopping cart, show them your membership card, and get inside, but I noticed an older couple getting lost in the sea of people. And it stopped me in my tracks.

I grabbed a shopping cart and set them up to go into the store. What struck me was how no one gave them a second glance. They had become part of the #invisible generation. They thanked me, and a rush of endorphins filled my soul. "Such a simple gesture," I thought to myself. We all have time! People often say they don`t have time to volunteer or help in the community, but this action took less than a minute.

It got me thinking, why are some individuals marginalized or excluded from the mainstream of society?

Aging
Physical or mental health conditions
Limited mobility
Lack of social support or advocates
Loss of confidence or fear

As people age, they must stay connected with a support group. If it is not friends or family, then a more organized group like the department of aging, adult community centers, or faith-based organizations can be a godsend for these folks. Even Meals on Wheels can provide the much-needed eyes for an isolated older adult.

When was the last time you noticed someone lost in a crowd? ...

#Senior Scams Are Everywhere!

"Someone has stolen my identity, and the local sheriff in Rockport, Texas, called and said I need to take care of the outstanding charges or they will issue a warrant for my arrest. "Kelli, you can`t tell anyone, but I need to get to the bank immediately," he said softly and almost defeated. "He will call me back in two hours, and I have his office number and badge number for verification. I could hear the desperation and downright fear in my uncle`s voice.

I knew this was a scam, but he was all in hook, line, and sinker. He had trusted me with the information, and the last thing I wanted to do was to break the bond. The next step was to speak to him without insulting his intelligence, which would require careful maneuvering.

#Caregivers are often the first to notice or hear about a scam. As family members and professionals, we must stay vigilant regarding scams. Here are a few signs that might indicate a senior is a target of a scammer:

1. They make unusual financial transactions through withdrawals or purchases like gift cards.

2. They suddenly receive constant emails, texts, or phone calls.

3. They are anxious and need to act quickly or get someone where immediately.

4. New friends appear out of nowhere and become chummy very quickly.

5. Changes in behavior, incredibly secretive or sneaky activity.

As #inhome care partners, we can do more to keep our clients safe at home by educating our #caregivers about the signs of scamming. They are getting better all the time, and the scams are becoming more and more elaborate.

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" - Sir Walter Scott. ...