Retirement Lifestyle

The Baby Boomers who are now starting to reach retirement are known for independence, and for those who need help to maintain their lifestyle, home health care providers are stepping up to help them do just that.

It’s not breaking news that retirement is one of those life events that requires years of planning. But when the occasion finally arrives when enjoying lazy mornings with copious time spent on the links, traveling and/or volunteering is the rule, some additional thought regarding future charitable giving should be considered, according to local experts.

Every morning at 8:15, you can find William and Mary McAllister in The Gatesworth’s Palm Court Restaurant, eating breakfast with their friends. “I enjoy the camaraderie of the people we’ve met there, plus there are so many food options to choose from,” says eightyear resident William McAllister. “You can pick what you like, as much as you like—or as little as you like.”

Death and chronic illness are difficult subjects to broach; however, they are an unfortunate reality. According to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), in 2009, 65 million Americans provided an average of 20 hours per week of in-home care for those afflicted with illness, disabilities and the general frailties associated with aging. A study by AARP, The Toll on Family Caregivers, estimated the financial burden to be $450 billion per year. Whether the in-home provider is a family member or a professional caregiver, the role requires an emotional investment that far outweighs the taxes of time or money. “It’s an incredibly emotional job,” says Mike Gianino of Homewatch CareGivers. “One that requires them to be ‘on their game,’ emotionally,” he adds. The extent of care is dependent on the needs of the patient. Hospice providers such as St. Luke’s provide an interdisciplinary approach to care with the provision of a nurse, nurse’s aid, social worker and religious counsel. “We provide a unit of care for the entire family,” says Lisa Heisserer, administrator for St. Luke’s Home Healthcare and Hospice.