Setting A New Gold Standard

Carla Amthor: Owner/CEO Focus on Caring

What is the gold standard? We often think in terms of currency, however in this circumstance, I am referring to the gold standard in support of our most precious asset, our family.

I believe in family. I thrive through friend and family connections.I believe our families are our most precious commodities and deserve to live the life they’d love, being afforded the opportunities to remain in their homes, with the care and attention they deserve. This is a gift most people wish for and the greatest gift we can give.
The wants and needs of contemporary seniors have actually been changing over a long period of time. Seniors have typically become more active, in every sense of the word. Involvement in social events, their community, their grandchildren’s activities, even if through social media. Many seniors travel, often as snowbirds, to a favourite location. All of these things have changed the mindset of seniors, their adult children and their grandchildren. The expectation or acceptance that a seniors’
facilities is in one’s future isn’t that present. People expect and truly desire to continue to live the life and lifestyle they are accustomed to, in their own homes.

Impact on our lives comes in many shapes and sizes as we age. Physical and mental decline are the go- to concerns but other concerns are equally pervasive. Socialization, or lack thereof, isolation and the impact of emotional trauma are equally draining. Physical and mental decline impacts our emotional state. We feel less confident but won’t necessarily talk about it. We are fearful but keep
that to ourselves. We are lonely but don’t want to make someone else feel guilty, so we don’t share that either. Unfortunately, all these things lead to additional decline. It is a vicious circle.
Focus on Caring has always recognized and supported all these aspects of senior life. We recognize them immediately and work to support relieving them and the anxiety that can come with them. Through our understanding and approach to senior care, we have creative ways to alleviate the impact of the emotional aspects of senior life. Learning what makes each individual happy and can bring them joy and comfort, is part of our care plan. Even in end- stage cases of dementia, we have the ability to reach our clients and support them. We are very cognizant that what we think we see on the outside is not what is going on inside. The emotional
heart still beats very strongly. We have clients that cry after an unpleasant encounter, even when it appears that they are not aware. I wish we all could treat these special individuals with the gentleness, love and care they deserve.

My definition of the gold standard is the best, most reliable, or most prestigious thing of its type. In my world, I have come to realize that even if I cannot serve everyone, I can set the bar that determines the level at which our seniors deserve to be served.
“They were daring in ways I could not possibly try to explain with mere words. Our family will always be grateful to them.”