In our work with seniors and their families, we are often faced with finding suitable methods of discarding unused prescriptions. In an effort to reduce the amount of unneeded/unwanted prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, the Department of Justice Drug enforcement Administration has scheduled the second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

This is a great opportunity for those have accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of them. In the first drug take-back in September 2010 more that 121 tons of pills were turned in nationwide.

Find A Location Near You

If you cannot participate on this day, call your local pharmacy. Many, for example CVS, will take back outdated pills (but not liquids or needles) anytime.

Use our promocode “RetireEd34” to join the SeniorChecked trusted network for the super low price of $349. That’s a 50% savings!  CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

SeniorChecked is a national network connecting seniors, families and caregivers with screened and verified local businesses. Businesses displaying the SeniorChecked Trust Seal demonstrate the highest level of credibility and commitment to the senior market. Businesses displaying the SeniorChecked Trust Seal will be instantly recognized as a qualified and trustworthy senior service provider.

As one of the must vulnerable segments of our population, 1 in 5 seniors have been victims of fraud. Each year an average of $2.6 billion in fraud is committed against seniors, and disreputable service providers are responsible for the majority if it. Displaying the SeniorChecked Trusted Seal is a great way to stand out against dishonest businesses and ease client concerns.
Benefits of Being SeniorChecked
• Differentiate Your Business by conveying trust and showing your commitment to the senior market.
• Demonstrate Your Credibility by passing the comprehensive SeniorChecked screening process. Your business will be instantly recognizable as a credible resource.
• Attract New Clients by leveraging the highly experienced SeniorChecked technology team to help connect you with some of the 90 million seniors and caregivers looking for services.
• Build Your Network by generating and giving referrals through SeniorChecked’s Partner Network of trusted referral sources.
• Improve Your Close Rates by alleviating client worries when you present your trusted SeniorChecked credentials.
• Increase Your Internet Presence with:
? A boost to your own website’s search engine rankings.
? A secondary Internet presence in the SeniorChecked’s highly tuned senior specific database.

SeniorChecked’s Continued Support
As a SeniorChecked business, you’ll get:
• The SeniorChecked Trusted Seal to display on your website and marketing materials
• Personalized credentials showing you’ve been SeniorChecked
• Customizable profile page and a listing on seniorchecked.com
• Access to reports on how many people are searching for and clicking on your business
• Distribution of your listing across the National SeniorChecked Partner Network
• Marketing tips for interacting with seniors and their families
• Distribution of your business listing on popular social media sites

As members of the senior service community, we support the SeniorChecked mission to reduce the risk and incidence of fraud against seniors. As adult children of aging parents, we recommend SeniorChecked to family members and friends as a richly diverse resource of trustworthy service providers. We urge you to sign up today to take advantage of this important program.

Use promo-code “RetireEd34” to get the super low price of $349.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN

If you have any questions about SeniorChecked, you can email the head of Member Services, Jared Farber, directly at memberservices@seniorchecked.com or call toll-free: (866) 675-7226.

Sincerely,

Sue Thomas
CEO, RICA Enterprises, LLC

434-227-4076

FOR CONFERENCE

For Immediate Release

Gold River, California, March 28, 2011: Sarah Richardson, the popular host and co-producer of “Design Inc” and ‘Sarah’s House’ on HGTV will be the keynote speaker on Thursday, September 8^th at the first Window Coverings Association of America’s Conference and Trade Show, INSPIRE 2011. The event takes place from September 7^th through September 10^th at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

Sarah highlights a list of presenters who will provide classes, seminars and demonstrations during the three-day conference .Teachers include Jackie Von Tobel, Beth Hodges, Susan Woodcock (Schurz), Karen Lander, Sarah Devany-O’Neil,  Karen Hardy, Arlene Sauck, Vita Vygovska, Susan Kostelecky, Sue Thomas, Fred Berns, Ramon Hardy, Karen Gill, JoAnn Lenart-Weary, Sarah Youngblood, Peggy Morgans, Debbie Williamson, Misty Trevino, Anita Boetsma, Karen Gill, Trenia Bell, Ann Meincke, Scot Robbins and Susan Gill.

An industry trade show, vendor ‘speed biz’ event  and gala dinner saluting the WCAA on its 25^th Anniversary will also be on the program. The event will bring together WCAA members and non members from the United States and abroad.  Attendees include workroom owners, designers, decorators, installers, retailers and window coverings dealers.  Attendee and exhibitor registration is underway with ‘all-inclusive’ pricing for classes, hotel accommodations, breakfast and lunch, gala dinner and Exhibit Hall events.  For more information about the conference, visit the WCAA Inspire 2011 website (http://www.wcaa.org/members/News/Conference/), and follow the Conference on Facebook and Twitter. For more information, call the WCAA office at 888.298.9222.

?

First, the statistics:  Though you have probably seen them before, the statistics are staggering and worth repeating:  2011… This is the year 78 million Baby Boomers begin to turn 65.  That translates to 2.8 million people a year or 10,000 people a day reaching retirement age for the next 19 years!

If those numbers don’t convince you, consider the amount of money represented by the senior market.  According to Retirement Living TV, people 50 and older control 33% of the total US net worth.  They are responsible for 50% of all discretionary spending and own about 77% of all financial assets.  In 2009, seniors spent $2.9 trillion.  That figure was up 45% over 10 years and that was during a recession.

The senior market is big and growing.  This is a group of people who want and need the services of Professional Organizers like you.  To create your niche, you’ll need to understand the senior market and position your services in a way that can help seniors meet their number one goal…

The Complexities of the Senior Market

With age differences that span over 50 years, it is no wonder today’s senior market is complex.  Understanding the nuances between senior age groups is essential to your success in this marketplace.

Yesterday’s stereotypes rarely apply to today’s seniors.  Improved standards of healthcare in America mean an ailing person in a nursing home is no longer the symbol of longevity.  Instead, today’s seniors are active, vibrant and diverse.  They are connected, contributing members of their communities.

When considering work in the senior market, you must recognize every senior’s goal: To remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.  This includes all aspects of independence: physical, financial, emotional and health.  Finding ways to use your organizing skills to help seniors achieve their goal of independence will be your key to success.

Understanding The Generations

Today’s seniors are broken into 4 commonly recognized groups.

• Baby Boomers:  1946 – 1964
• Post War Generation:  1928 – 1945
• World War II Generation: 1922 – 1927
• Depression Era Generation: 1912 – 1921

The lines between these groups blur as financial, mental and/or physical health is considered, but each group could represent a special niche for your organizing business.

The Baby Boomer Market

Baby Boomers are the healthiest and wealthiest generation to date.  As they reach retirement age, members of this group are starting to rethink their current and future lifestyles.  Aware of the effects advancing age will have on their lives, many Boomers are starting to look for ways to prepare themselves to meet the demands of aging.  As Professional Organizers, look for ways your skills could help the Boomers get and stay organized as they plan for their future.

Baby Boomers typically prefer to DIY (Do It Yourself).  Many are still physically fit, living healthy and active lifestyles.  According to the AARP’s study, The State of 50+ America 2006, 60% of younger boomers use the Internet.  These Boomers often own at least one computer.  They are familiar with banking online and use social media.  Many Boomer women have held jobs outside the home.  Members of this generation can be demanding and self-centered.  When approaching Boomers, realize most will want to have a high level of participation in the work you perform for them.  Many will prefer to be taught techniques they can follow themselves.

Many Boomers are members of the “Sandwich Generation.”  Finding themselves caught between raising children, helping with grand children and managing the care of aging adults, these Boomers are often overwhelmed with heavy emotional, physical and financial demands.   Time management, improved management of paper and online files and developing customized systems to get and stay organized are among the many Professional Organizing skills that will resonate with the Baby Boomer group.  Vital document management services might appeal to this group, both for themselves and for their aging parents.  Perhaps you could position your organizing business as a beacon of organized hope for an increasingly complex life that must be managed efficiently.

The Post War and World War II Generation Markets

My Mother with her iPad

Though they get the most press, Baby Boomers are not the entire senior market.   Members of the Post War and World War II generations were born in or grew up during the Great Depression.  These seniors lived through World War II and the Korean War.  They are often very patriotic.  Though they have known lean times and are used to working hard, these generations were uniquely poised to take advantage of one of the greatest periods of expansion and innovation in American history.  Thrifty by nature, many of these seniors have planned and saved enough to retire comfortably.   When trying to identify this generation, think of some of its more iconic members including; Ronald Regan, Walter Cronkite and J.D. Salinger as well as John McCain, Jesse Jackson, Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Clint Eastwood.

Many of these seniors are still making the majority of their own decisions but may consult with adult children before making key decisions.  According a recent article in the Wall Street Journal 30% to 58% of people 65 and older go online compared to the US average of 79%.  But… the 74 years and older demographic is the fastest growing age group on social media sites.  They want to see those pictures of their grandchildren!  Many people in this demographic will begin to face the physical and mental health challenges of aging.

Marketing to this group should include efforts to reach the aging parent and adult child.  Relationships with senior communities as well as local civic and religious organizations will be very beneficial.  Services such as estate management, vital document management and improved computer and paper filing systems will be attractive to these seniors.  Hoarding specialists can often find work in this age group.  Professional Organizers offering ongoing services like bill paying could find a series of long-term clients in this demographic.  Tech savvy Organizers might consider offering services to get their senior clients up in running in social media.

Our Oldest Seniors:  Ages 85+ and the Depression Era Generation

This is the fastest growing segment of our population.  In 2006, there were 76,000 Americans age 100+.  By 2020, that number will more than double to 214,000.  By 2050, there will be approximately 834,000 centenarians.

Many of these seniors are still vibrant, active and living on their own.  Some require medical assistive devices or help with the basic activities of daily living.  This group represents the oldest and frailest of our seniors.  Seniors with chronic conditions often require skilled nursing and reside in settings that already have systems in place to manage their resident’s lives.

Marketing to this group should be focused on the adult child or building relationships with senior living communities, religious communities and local outreach programs.  Essential skills for reaching this group should include: vital records management, estate management, ongoing bill paying and organizing for after-life estates.

Pros and Cons of working with Seniors

Change happens, whether we like it or not.  As we age, change is usually driven by a decline in health or finances.   Seniors are a group that both want and need your help and most seniors are very appreciative of the help they get.  As my business partner Sue Thomas says, “With seniors you get what you give, honestly, loyalty and respect.”

Just like working with children, not everyone is cut-out to work with seniors.  Before jumping into the senior market, do your homework.  Think about the seniors in your life.  Do you like being around them?  Do you enjoy listening to their stories?  Does it make you feel good to help them?  Do you have patience?  Can you  S.L.O.W  D.O.W.N  enough to allow seniors to be comfortable working with you?  If you haven’t spent time with seniors recently, volunteer at a local senior center.  It is important to know if you and seniors are a good fit.  If so, you’ll likely find working with seniors to be the most rewarding experience of your life.

To hear more about about “Taking Your Skills to the Senior Market,” join us and the DC chapter of NAPO at the Kena Shriners, 9001 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22031 on February 7th to see Sue Thomas speak.

Find out more about our classes at www.RetireEd.com

Check our Senior Business Builder Blog at:  http://www.rlrdonline.com/wp/

Follow me on Linked In MelissaKuzma

Follow Sue Thomas on Facebook

• How to develop trusting relationships with senior clients
• The impact of physical & emotional health on design choices & the work environment
• Marketing
• And so much more…

Many of us have aging parents, work with seniors in transition, or both.  You have seen first hand how demanding a senior transition can be.  Families typically fight time, distance, emotions and other obligations while trying to complete a loved one’s move.  They often lack decorating experience and an understanding of the ADA guidelines.  Most are unfamiliar with the essential senior-centric home set-up techniques required to make a new living space feel like home while safely meeting the demands of their loved one’s changing health.

Senior Redesign Professionals have completed our training course, Redesign For Retirement Living™.  They combine their passion for working with seniors with years of decorating experience, making them uniquely qualified to create beautiful and functional homes that enhance the lives of their senior clients for years to come.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Comprehensive Consultations: The consultation sets the foundation for the working relationship by identifying needs and setting expectations.
• Lifestyle to Living Space: Using a decorator’s eye, Senior Redesign Professionals evaluate client belongings, lifestyle, functionality, living space, decorative preferences and health, forming a plan for the final redesign.
• Furniture Placement & Accenting Treasures: As seniors transition to retirement community living, they have often downsized a lifetime of belongings.  What remains are truly treasured possessions.  This is where Redesigners shine; using each piece to it’s fullest functional and aesthetic potential while showcasing treasured items.
• Small Space Specialist: Senior living often means the creation of multifunctional rooms to meet the divers demands of daily life.  Well created multi functional rooms make homes more functional, seem larger and keep life manageable.
• Color & Lighting: Aging eyes perceive both color and lighting differently.  Affecting safety, mood, social interaction, way-finding, task completion and so much more, proper color and lighting are essential to seniors living well.

Contact us today to find out more or to locate a Senior Redesign Professional near you.

Email us at INFO@RetireEd.com  or call 434.227.4076

As a member of the senior marketplace I know the effectiveness of a real, honest-to-goodness card arriving via snail-mail.  And as a member of  Send Out Cards, I believe in the power of easy & effective communication.

Everyone loves to know someone is thinking about them.   It’s wonderful to open your mail box and find among the cable, phone and insurance bills, a card from someone who was thinking about you and took a few moments to let you know.  It’s like getting flowers – you can’t help but smile and feel better.   Today’s seniors grew up writing and receiving letters.  Though statistics show seniors are becoming more tech savvy, they still value a simple phone call or a card in the mail.  They still value the personal touch.  Don’t we all?

For Senior Service Providers, ongoing thoughtful communication with your senior clients is good business.  Send Out Cards is an easy to use tool that allows you to electronically manage and send personalized greeting cards.  Whether you send occasional cards or schedule automatic delivery for special occasions,  each card is beautifully crafted.  SOC allows you to create a set of characters based on your writing style and include your personal signature, making each card look like you wrote it yourself.  With thousands of cards to choose from, this is an easy way to stay in touch with your clients and send the perfect message to every time.

Check out our Send Out Cards link to see just how easy it is.   If you like it as much as I did, just let me know and I can help you get set up quickly.

If Bonnie is right, Boomers won’t be disappointed with the product choices available.  Manufacturers are already taking notice of the numbers and creating products to meet the demand of  this discerning crowd.  As a result, stylish new home and lifestyle products reach the market everyday.

Bonnie makes a great case for working with a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS); especially a CAPS with a degree in Interior Design.  CAPS are building and design professionals specially trained by the National Association of Home Builders to understand the demands of aging as it relates to preparing a home for a resident to Age In Place.  They know the what products are available and they know how to install them so your house will look elegantly stylish – not institutional.

Rica Enterprises and their educational arm, RetireEd, recently launched their cornerstone course, Redesign For Retirement Living™. Created for service providers working in the relatively new field of non-medical senior care, this class shares a unique approach to decorating that addresses the safety, well-being and functionality required by senior clientele while resulting in a beautifully decorated home. Redesign For Retirement Living™ demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the senior client and how to conduct a powerful consultation, space planning and furniture placement in the senior environment, accessorizing and artwork, color and the aging eye, lighting for seniors, and decorating for functionality and aesthetics. Recently presented to the National Association of Senior Move Managers in Las Vegas, NV, Redesign For Retirement Living™ was met with an overwhelming response.

The need for Senior Decorating Specialists is a direct result of the aging baby boomer and the global placement of family in today’s world. Whether relocating or aging in place, many seniors are living without family support. They need the help of a professional to transition their living space into a home that will comfortably meet the demands of aging. “When I began my business in 2005, I knew my skills would be a perfect fit for the senior market,” said RetireEd Co-founder, Sue Thomas, “But I had no idea the demand would be so strong or that I would develop such a unique application of my skills and services.” Ms. Thomas’ personal business success led to a demand for training in this specialization. She and business partner, Melissa Kuzma, are currently developing the first of its kind decorating certification program. The “Senior Living Decorating Specialist™” (SLDS) designation will enhance the caliber of service provided, resulting in an improved quality of senior living.

Sue’s presentation this year was “Business Beyond Move Management:  Redesign For Retirement Living.”  As she introduced the concept of Redesign, Sue outlined benefits of and strategies for incorporating Redesign into a Senior Move Management business.  Whether used as an alternative revenue stream, a way to break into the senior market, or to enhance existing move-in-placement skills, Redesign is a natural extension for any Senior Move Management business.

During her presentation, Ms. Thomas introduced her revolutionary 18 step process called, Redesign Redefined; part of RetireEd’s first-in-class online training program called, Redesign For Retirement Living(TM).  To find out more, click here.

Speaking at NASMM 2010 Conference