Who is Mandys Cleaning Service? Or, perhaps, the more fun question is, who is Mandy? If you ask Mandy to share her story with you, she may tell you about a few conversations that had a powerful impact on her as a person and later as a business owner. In the early years a customer told Mandy, The little things matter, then proceeded to tell Mandy how much she appreciated that Mandy went above and beyond and even cleaned tiny things you might not notice. Where does a work ethic like that come from?When I was young and baby-sitting, my Mom encouraged me to not simply watch the kids but to pick up around the house and clean the dishes. She taught Mandy that going above and beyond would make such a dierence. These two conversations greatly shaped who Mandy would become as a person, and they set the standard for how she would one day run her businesswith great attention to the little things. So, whats the story behind Mandys Cleaning Service?That story began 15 years ago. Having two small children at the time, Mandy chose not to go to work, yet she wanted to contribute financially to meet the needs of the home. While attending personal finance classes, a few friends suggested Mandy start a cleaning service and even said they would help her find a few clients. She took her friends up on the oer and began cleaning. It was just a few homes, but the phone began to ring. Usually it was friends of a friend or people she already knew. Every bit of it was word of mouth. The first year was slow, but year two picked up enough speed that Mandy had to recruit help. Five years into the business, they transitioned from contractors to employees and launched a new website, and things grew like crazy after that. One day while cleaning a home, Mandy said her phone would not stop ringing, and she realized this business was going to become much bigger than she had imagined. How does a business suddenly experience explosive growth?Mandy believes it comes down to relationships and treating every customer like they are your only customer. It became a standard practice to implement a preference sheet, which included a variety of things each customer preferred, even down to where the customer wanted the cleaning technician to park upon arrival. She also wanted to add a personal touch, which included text messaging customers before cleaning, after cleaning, and even following up weeks later. This type of care would later revisit Mandy in many ways. She quotes one customer who said, A house isnt clean unless its Mandy-clean. When her youngest child was a newborn, customers brought Mandy gifts and gave her gift cards.Mandy would also tell you she places a high value on her employees and enjoys giving them flexible hours, which frees them up to juggle life more easily. She describes her team as honest, hard working, and determined and has learned that people are willing to pay for that level of service. How she leads her team has contributed to their success.Its humbling to look back and see how far the business has come since 2009. Having spent 15 years doing business in their home town, Mandys Cleaning Service looks to expand their reach outside of Mobile in the days to come. I want even more people to feel relief that they can enjoy friends and family without being concerned about the house. As Mandys Cleaning Service looks to grow and expand outside of Mobile, the mission will always be the same. The little things still matter, she said. Its still about going above and beyond and doing those special things for every customer. Its more than cleaning your home. Its about caring for you. If you are looking for a locally owned established cleaning service for your home or business in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, Call Mandy's Cleaning at 251-533-0616

Did you know there are financial assistance programs available to veterans who need assisted living care? Our veterans made numerous sacrifices to uphold the freedom we enjoy today while their families kept the home fires burning. They are entitled to many benefits in appreciation for all they endured for America.Veterans benefits for senior living are available for qualifying veterans and their surviving spouses, as long as the veteran served at least 90 days of active duty, including at least one day during a wartime period, and received an honorable or general discharge.Veterans Aid and Attendance for assisted living careOffered through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Aid and Attendance is a monthly pension benefit that can help cover the costs of assisted living care. It is available for wartime veterans and their spouses who have limited income and require the regular attendance of a caregiver.Aid and Attendance is designed for individuals who need assistance from another person to complete everyday activities such as bathing, dressing and assistance with other daily activities. A veterans need for this benefit does not need to be the result of their military service.Funds received from Aid and Attendance benefits can offer a monthly benefit to help pay for assisted living and long-term care for a qualifying veteran and their spouse. The actual monthly benefit is determined by the veterans assets, income and medical expenses and conditions.Contact your local county Veterans Services office with questions on how to apply by visiting www.benefits.va.gov/vso.MedicareMedicare will pay for short-term care at nursing and rehabilitation facilities for seniors who need these services after an illness or injury that requires hospitalization. Medicare does not cover the cost for assisted living, home care or other senior living services.Long-Term Care BenefitsThe Veterans Administration provides both short- and long-term care in skilled nursing settings for veterans who cannot care for themselves. This benefit does not cover assisted living or home care.Housebound BenefitsVeterans confined to their homes and requiring assisted living care may be best suited to receive Housebound benefits. This program provides an increased monthly pension amount for those confined to their home due to a permanent disability.Applying for BenefitsThe Veterans Administration has regional offices that provide Veteran Service Organization representatives who may be able to answer simple questions about assisted living benefits, as well as provide free, basic advice on the application process.Many veterans seeking advice on applying for assisted living benefits hire a qualified attorney accredited by the VA or an accredited claims agent, who has passed a written exam about VA laws and procedures.The application process for assisted living benefits is often very lengthy. It is important to be thorough when completing the application and have all required documentation gathered and ready to submit.There are additional financial options to pay for assisted living care for individuals who do not qualify for veterans benefit. Click to find out more about financial options for senior living.Country Meadows offers affordable assisted living or personal care on its nine campuses in Pennsylvania and one in Frederick, Maryland. Our friendly co-workers are always available to help! Contact us today for more information.

Research shows that seniors are common targets of scammers. One of the most common ways that criminals try to get information is through Medicare scam calls. In fact, your Medicare number is often more valuable for criminals than your social security number or credit card numbers/banking information.The caregivers at Gentle Shepherd Home Care in Colorado Springs can help you identify these scams. We offer a variety of in-home senior care services from companionship to medical care.In this article, well explain what you need to know about common Medicare scams.Does Medicare Ever Call Recipients?There are only two reasons that Medicare will ever call you, according to the Medicare website:Health/drug plan provider may call if you are already a member or the agent who helped you join may contact youCustomer service representative may contact you if youve left a message or received a letter stating that you will receive a phone callTop 7 Medicare ScamsFraudsters are getting smart with their scams. However, if someone calls you claiming to be from Medicare with the following pitches, its a scam.Your old Medicare card is invalid- you will be getting a new cardThis is one of the most common Medicare scams. The fraudster will inform you that in order to issue a new card, they will need your social security number and/or your Medicare card number.Truth: Medicare will not call you if there is an issue with your card. They will send a letter to arrange a phone interview.Your Medicare plan is about to be canceledThe caller will claim that in order to prevent your Medicare from being canceled, you will need to verify your current Medicare number, full name, address, banking information, birthdate, and social security number. This is also a common Social Security scam.Truth: Medicare representatives have your Medicare number on file- they will never ask for it. Additionally, Medicare representatives never ask for details such as your social security number to verity your identity.You are eligible for early access to vaccinationsThe COVID-19 pandemic spawned many pandemic-related scams such as being sent at-home testing kits or special access to vaccinations. These offers require that you provide information such as your Medicare number, social security number, and other personal details. Most of these start out as text messages or robocalls. The caller will offer you special access if you pay out of pocket.Truth: Medicare will never ask for you to pay out of pocket to get special treatment.You must confirm your appointment for genetic testingIn some cases, scammers will call offering free genetic testing to screen for a variety of health conditions. When you agree, they will steal your information and will bill Medicare for the test. In some cases, you may be sent an at-home test to complete along with a request for your information.Truth: Medicare will not call or send an at-home kit to offer you testing that you have not requested.You are eligible for free medical suppliesIf a scammer is aware of a specific health condition, such as diabetes, they may offer you free medical supplies or medications. They use this offer to get your Medicare number and other personal information as well as your credit card number so that you can pay for shipping. Your information will be used to over-bill Medicare.Truth: Medicare is not likely to call you to offer free medical supplies/medications. They will never ask for you to pay for shipping or provide financial information. Never pay for anything without seeing an invoice that can be confirmed with Medicare.You overpaid and are due a refundOne of the most common scams fraudsters use is to contact you via a phone call or text offering a refund on overpayment.Truth: Medicare will not call you to verify your personal financial information before issuing a refund. If you are due for a refund, a paper check will be sent out or it will be sent to the bank account on file.Youve been pre-approved for a cheaper/better planSome scammers will try to convince you that you are eligible for a cheaper/better plan than you are currently on. These are most common during open enrollment.Truth: Medicare will not call you without sending a letter first. You should never follow up on any unsolicited calls, visits from people claiming to be Medicare reps, or brochures.What to Do if You Are ContactedScammers can be persuasive, aggressive, and even threatening. However, its important to stay calm- they wont be able to do anything if you dont give them your information.Also, keep in mind that Medicare will not cold-call you. They will contact you via postal mail first to set up a phone interview.If you or a loved one is contacted by a fraudster:Never give out personal informationHang upReport the scam to MedicareWarn loved onesIf you or a loved one is in need of in-home elderly care, contact Gentle Shepherd Home Care in Colorado Springs. We offer a variety of services from simple companionship to medical care.