It’s All About Trust

This new year, we are focused on next moves… whether to age in place, downsize, or move into independent living, assisted living, a nursing home, memory care or a hospice facility. Anywhere you or your loved one wants to move along the continuum of care, Cleveland (CLE) Senior Network is here to help you navigate your way forward.

Cleveland Senior Network (cle-eastseniornetwork.com) is a volunteer organization that “networks with a heart.” This Network supports colleagues working in the senior services sector while functioning as a community service organization, bringing attentive, practical support to seniors in Greater Cleveland. They have the expertise, connections and heart to help you find your best step forward as you age.

First Steps: If you are determined to stay in your existing home, providers in the Network can offer support for tasks of daily living.

If you just need a little help around the house or with transportation, Right at Home In-Home Care & Assistance caregivers cover the spectrum: companion care (help with light housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation, etc.), personal care (physical assistance, hygiene, mobility support), or specialty care (managing Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions).

Another option is Residence Home Care, which works with your doctor so you can receive medical care in the comfort of your home. In-home health care is not just convenient; it leads to greater independence, reduced hospitalizations and better outcomes.

If you need help regaining strength and balance after an illness or injury, FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers can get you confidently back on your feet.

If you need more mobility assistance, you can access durable medical equipment from a company like Rocking Mobility for sales, rentals and repair services of motorized scooters, wheelchairs, power chairs, hospital beds and other mobility solutions.

Sometimes, you need a little extra help. The Electronic Caregiver can give you or your loved one the freedom and confidence to live more safely and independently. Their Home Health Monitoring Devices can give reminders or immediate information to you, providing peace of mind.

Regardless of your health status, be sure to get the best coverage plan for your needs with Benn Insurance or Medicare Advocates. And call upon Five Star Clinical Solutions to make sure you receive the best possible medical care and services.

Next Steps: But maybe you’re ready to downsize. First, you need help with decluttering, sorting, packing and/or selling all the possessions you’ve accumulated over a lifetime. Creative Moves Senior Move Management is one such service.

Once you’ve got your possessions pared down and your home ready for sale, how do you decide where to relocate?

“If you are unclear of your next step as in where to move, there are plenty of people in the Network who can help you transition to a senior living facility for no fee,” says Melinda Smith of Electronic Caregiver. “Services like CarePatrol of Northeast Ohio don’t charge you; they charge the location you’re moving to. It’s a free service to help you find the right independent living facility, assisted living location, nursing home or memory care center.”

There are so many senior living options available, but be sure to consider Avenue at Lyndhurst and The Village at Marymount.

Once you’ve decided where to move, call a trusted Realtor to help you sell your existing home. You will be in good hands with North Coast Residential or Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, two Network members who will help protect your needs and interests through the house-selling process.

Whatever your next move along the continuum of care may be, it’s wise to get your legal and financial affairs in order. Attorney Jim Koewler from The Koewler Law Firm specializes in elder law, helping seniors with estate planning, financial plans, health directives, and even protecting family members with disabilities.

Smith says that the power of the Network is all about trust. “We have created a Network where we all know each other and have fellow professionals we can refer confidently when someone needs help in an area of care that falls outside of our own particular sphere of expertise. Our members represent every cross-section of the aging process. There are too many choices out there. It’s nice to have a direct referral from someone you trust.”

For every step in the journey of life, you need a plan. Contact any Cleveland Senior Network sponsor listed here to help you plan and execute your next move along the continuum of care.

Electronic Caregiver: Offers Connected Care Technologies with easy-to-use tools to coordinate and improve the way we care for ourselves and others.

Melinda Smith, Connected Care Partner: 216409-8140, msrimelda@gmail.com

Five Star Clinical Solutions: As Patient Advocates, we ensure you receive the best possible medical care and services.

Roberta Brofman, President/Founder: 216-513-9622, roberta@fivestarclinical.com, fivestarclinical.com

Koewler Law Firm: Attorney Jim Koewler helps people who need long-term care, have chronic illness, or have special needs by working with their wishes and needs rather than cost-driven decisions.

Jim Koewler, Attorney: 330-659-3579, jkoewler@ ProtectingSeniors.com

Residence Home Care: A skilled nursing agency dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and customer service in a patient-focused environment.

Tracy Debevits, Community Liaison: 440-7258601, tdebevits@residencehc.com

Right at Home: Provides custom personal hygiene, cleaning, driving and pet care for adults in the safety of their own home. Call for the affordable rate. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Shalom Plotkin, Owner: 216-752-2222, OhioSeniorCare.net

Benjamin Rose Institute: Board member Mary Norris-Pack

Avenue at Lyndhurst is an 80-bed long-term and short-term skilled facility with all private luxury suites. All suites have private bathrooms, refrigerators and 42”wide beds. We also have one-bedroom luxury assisted living suites, including respite suites, at the east side of the building.

Tara M. Favitta, Director of Admissions & Marketing: Lyndhurst Office, 440-646-8448, Fax: 440-684-9135, Cell: 216-401-2947

Benn Insurance Group: Think “BIG” BENN INSURANCE GROUP in Hudson. I represent multiple carriers. Let me help you with your MEDICARE needs for FREE!

Marquita Benn, Professional Insurance Advisor: 216-553-8285, marquita@benninsurancegroup.org

CarePatrol of NE Ohio: A FREE service specializing in helping families navigate senior care. We use our knowledge to select qualified In Home Care, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Nursing Homes appropriate for seniors’ needs.

Eric Sailor, Certified Senior Advisor: 216-233-5240, esailor@carepatrol.com, Neohio.CarePatrol.com

Creative Moves: Overwhelmed with downsizing, decluttering or clearing out a home? Creative Moves’ team helps with everything from á la carte projects to complete moves nationwide — provided with respect and compassion.

Hilary Mason King, JD, Owner: 216-925-2393, info@creativemovesllc.com, creativemovesllc.com

FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers – Mentor: Helps restore and maintain the ability to walk confidently so you can LOVE YOUR LIFE! Our physical therapists can help you get stronger, improve your balance, and help you get your confidence back.

Aaron Cook, Dr. of Physical Therapy/Clinical Director: 440-740-8877, mentor@fyzical.com, fyzical.com/mentor-oh/

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services: Stephanie McFearin, Realtor expert for Northeast Ohio. Call, text or email anytime for info on a free market analysis or buyer consultation.

Stephanie McFearin, REALTOR® 440-554-7712 , StephanieMcFearin@HowardHanna.com

Medicare Advocates: Licensed Insurance Broker helping clients navigate the “Medicare Maze” for the best benefits and coverage for your individual needs. Review of coverage options provided at no cost.

Lawrence Lesiak, Licensed Insurance Broker: 330523-7002, Larry@MedicareAdvocates.US

North Coast Residential: Advocates for seniors making a move, helping to plan your transition and the sale of your home with unsurpassed service, care and dignity. We provide educational seminars and counsel for seniors and senior living communities.

Lee-Ann Spacek, CRB, SRES, President & Broker: 216-513-6800, LSpacek@NorthCoastRelo.com

Rocking Mobility: Repair-Rent-Sales of durable medical equipment from wheelchairs and power mobility devices to hospital beds plus bath and home safety equipment.

Marsha Adair, President & Co-Owner: 216-356-6984, rockingmobility.com

The Village at Marymount: Our awardwinning, faith-based continuing-care community features independent and assisted living, memory care communities, short-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation, and long-term care; plus in-patient and out-patient physical, occupational and speech therapies.

Wendy Graves, LNHA, MHA/Director of Marketing: Garfield Heights, 216-332-1396, wgraves@ marymounthcs.org, villageatmarymount.org