Family is not just a word…

 

Becci Bookner, CEO
FamilyStaffing Solutions

“Age is just a number.”
We’ve heard that phrase before, but do we really believe it? The term ‘aging’ can be a bit negative, evoking images of frailty, weakness, and dependence on others. But what if we stopped looking at the older generation as a liability and started recognizing them as the asset they are?

That’s why last month we were celebrating Older Americans Month. May was designated as Older Americans Month fifty years ago. It provided the platform to  recognize the incredible contributions of older people in our great nation. The theme this year was, Unleash the Power of Age, about empowering the older generation to continue to use their gifts and skills to make a difference.

One in eight Americans is an older adult. That is a wealth of wisdom, skill and potential that can be used to help guide younger generations to greatness. This group  of “over  sixty-five and proud of it”  is the best educated, most traveled, has accumulated the most wealth, has witnessed more inventions and remarkable achievements and has more time to make things happen than any other.  They are a workforce to be considered especially in an economic environment where some skills and expertise are not available in the “right out of college” group.   Second career people are beyond priceless. They defended our country, they built our communities and they maintained their American values in remarkable ways.

Beyond employment potential, consider embracing older people as volunteers. Volunteerism not only strengthens their quality of life, but it can benefit our communities in a way nothing else can. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011 more than 20 million senior volunteers gave nearly three billion hours of service. That equals approximately $67 billion in man-hours! It might be a three-day-a-week flexible work schedule at any of the numerous charitable organizations, organizing the church bake sale or a key position in a neighborhood public service project. Whatever it is, they will be the star of the project and your organization will be the benefactor of their unique skills and dedication of purpose.

This group of “grown olders” is a virtually unlimited educational resource based on their personal educational background and real-life experiences, so seek them out as contributors at educational institutions from daycare to college.  It may be something as simple as a pottery class or something as complex as speaking about military experiences or bringing memorabilia to a college lecture series.  Talk to them and learn more about what they can bring to the classroom. Now is the time for them to pass their passions on to a new generation of learners!

Sometimes when facing a problem or issue, we try not “bothering” our older loved ones. We are afraid we might worry them. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! Go ahead and ask for advice. By asking for their input you demonstrate your value of their opinion. You may help instill or even reignite a diminished sense of purpose in a hurting heart. Being sought after is often better than a new prescription from the doctor.

Aging is a gift. The older generation holds a level of experience and skill to be admired and respected. Let’s help them maintain that sense of empowerment and value. The next time you sit beside someone who is from this remarkable generation, you might just be sitting in the presence of greatness.  They are special and we are blessed by their love of community and family.

From our family to yours, we wish you a special month.

 

Stay Independent, At Home, In Charge®

At Family Staffing Solutions we make it possible for people to age, secure in the knowledge that they may never spend a single night in a nursing home. From simple phone visits to scheduled in-home senior care, Family Staffing Solutions is the best choice for seniors and families in need of a helping hand that cares. Personal referrals to our company are, of course, based on having an excellent reputation for providing quality care in a respectful caring way. We are very proud of our reputation and our good name. Family Staffing Solutions is committed to taking care of your family members as if they were ours. We staff our caregivers and our offices with you in mind. We invite you to take a virtual tour of our current offices . On the left side of this page, click on the heart next to office near you and you will get to know us a little better. In fact, take a few moments to view all our offices’ webpages from this menu. For office contact information you can also click on the office named below.

We are always happy to speak with you in person at any of our offices which are located in Murfreesboro, Nashville, Shelbyville, Tullahoma and Franklin, TN.

 

In addition we have franchise offices in Dallas, Lewisville, and McKinney, TX.  Please call us at your convenience.   If an office near your city is not listed, please feel free to call our corporate office for information that may be helpful. The best solution for in-home personal assistance care is just a phone call away!

Did You Know…

• Phones are answered 24 hours a day by a member of our staff.
• We have staffed over 2,500,000 hours of personal care assistance for our clients.
• The founders have provided comprehensive in-home staffing services since 1993.
• We can staff 24 hours or one hour depending on your needs.
• We are available to help seven days a week.
• The caregivers go through extensive background checks.
• We provide comprehensive staff development and orientation to clients

Our Mission Statement:

To be recognized as the industry leader for integrity and excellence in Personal Assistance Care achieved with a positive, joyful approach that improves the lives of our Clients, Employees and Franchisees.

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