The older population—persons 65 years or older—numbered 46.2 million in 2014, according to the Administration on Aging (AoA), representing 14.5% of the U.S. population. That equates to about one in every seven Americans; however, the AoA estimates this population percentage will surge to 21.7% by 2040. As aging occurs – and, in some cases, disabilities increase – many more Americans will find themselves in need of support services. For nearly three decades, families have put their trust in Granny NANNIES, a professional caregiver organization (certified by the Agency for Health Care Administration) to aid such needs. And the company is on track to meet the growing demand for home healthcare.
Rob and Kirsten Hodgson relocated from New Hampshire to Florida to care for Esther, Rob’s aging grandmother, after struggling to find her quality home-based senior services. Realizing that many other families faced the same need, the Hodgson’s established GrannyNANNIES of North America in 1990. Today, it caters to diverse client needs and operates over 35 franchise locations in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. “Each person’s circumstances and needs are different,” says Diane Sanders, Operations Manager for Central Florida and Franchise Director. “Our online self-assessment helps us target what would be beneficial for the client. It’s a starting point as needs may evolve as a result of aging, disease progression, the level of family involvement or other circumstances.”
Eighty percent of elderly people have one or more chronic health conditions or illnesses that requires long-term care, proclaims Granny NANNIES, and the company’s certified nursing assistants and home health aides allow for both short-term and long-term assistance to be offered in the comfort of one’s own home. GrannyNANNIES specializes in the following client services: Alzheimer’s disease, fall prevention, heart disease, hospice care, hospital sitter care, new parent assistance, Parkinson’sdisease, respite care relief, senior home care, social isolation attention, surgery/accident support, special needs care and stroke recovery.
In the aftermath of two severely debilitating strokes, Valerie Greene’s life was turned upside down at the young age of 31 with significant impact to her hearing, speech and mobility. “I needed help with essential tasks like meal preparation and bathing, and Granny NANNIES was there for me. In fact, their organization was really the only group that reached out to young people.” For seven months following her brain attacks, Greene relied on Granny NANNIES to execute an array of household and personal care tasks, but says she also benefited from the social engagement during a depression period. “At the time, I was emotional and hated being by myself. I would cry when they left and feel happy when they returned,” she adds. Now the founder and CEO of Bcenter, a stroke nonprofit serving survivors and caregivers, Greene acknowledges that Granny NANNIES offers a crucial service during acute stroke recovery for survivors of all ages and, of course, other health conditions.
Sanders joined the Granny NANNIES team twenty years ago, and while senior care remains a main service line, she has witnessed a shift in clientele ─ from age to care specifics. For example, quality support is crucial in the lives of any family tending to a child or loved one with special needs. And even new parents are turning to Granny NANNIES for support. “We realized that a lot of younger women who had just given birth, especially those recovering from a C-section, could use a hand too,” Sanders explains. “Sometimes our New Parent Care if gifted by another for a day to a week to aid with incidental things – like family meals, transportation for other kids, laundry or any household errands so mom and baby can have that special bonding time without distractions.”
An inspiration for the company and beyond, Esther lived to the age of 104 and credited her well-being, in part, to Granny NANNIES. The company is committed to making care accessible and, so, in addition to private pay, clients may use the Medicaid waiver program, long-term care insurance, and the valid and Attendance Pension (A&A), a tax-free cash benefit available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans and their spouses pay for home healthcare and medical expenses. For additional information, visit GrannyNannies.com.
