Florida - Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte Counties

HomeWell Care Services CEO, Crystal Franz, has a lot to be hopeful for in 2022. After a record-breaking growth year in 2021, Franz said there is no plan for the company to slow down, reports Patrick Filbin with Home Health Care NewsIn the year ahead, HomeWell Care Services is planning for rapid expansion and national brand recognition.One of the biggest trends that we see are corporate-level folks who want to get out of the rat race, and they want something that they can call their own, where they can call the shots and reap what they sow directly, Franz said. They have this really great business acumen, but when they wake up and look at themselves in the mirror, they want to feel good about what theyre doing every day.HomeWell Care Services entire marketing strategy for finding new success owners has shifted, Franz stated.With proven owners and a well-established brand, the HomeWell was able to put that financially impressive year together in 2021. Franz attributes HomeWells agencies, its leaders and their ability to rise to the occasion during the COVID-19 pandemic as the main reason for the companys success.In 2021, HomeWell Care Services executed 17 new contracts with 15 of those being new owners and two territory expansions. The company opened 12 new locations in 2021 across the nation.Related: HomeWell Franchising Inc. Reports Record-Setting 2021 ResultsI think the biggest business opportunity that we are excited about is looking to continue to build those partnerships across the continuum of care with different referral sources, Franz said. One of the things were focused on is being more data-driven and teaching our owners how to be more data-driven. And that requires us to be more purposeful in how we do our business.Read the Full Report with Crystal Franz and Home Health Care News Here

Grasons, a leading estate sale and business liquidation company and member of Evive Brands, announced today the opening of its newest location, Grasons of Sarasota-Venice, FL. The new franchise will serve Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice and surrounding communities, providing professional estate sale and business liquidation services to local families and businesses navigating major life transitions.The Sarasota-Venice, FL location is owned and operated by Nicole and Jakob Gutierrez, a husband-and-wife team who bring a combined 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic partnerships across multiple industries. After relocating from New York City to Florida in 2024, the Gutierrez family was inspired to establish roots in their new community and pursue business ownership through a franchise model.Grasons stood out to us not just as a business opportunity, but a meaningful way to serve our local community, said Nicole Gutierrez. Estate sales often come at a time of transition, and we feel a deep responsibility to support clients with empathy, professionalism and care. Our goal is to take the burden off families while helping them move forward with confidence.Grasons of Sarasota-Venice, FL will offer comprehensive services including estate sales, business liquidations, downsizing and relocation sales. Each project follows a structured process, from initial consultation and planning to staging, pricing, hosting the sale and post-sale reporting. The Gutierrez family also plans to build a strong local partner network to support donations, cleanouts and additional client needs.Jakob Gutierrez will focus on operational strategy and systems, while Nicole Gutierrez will lead client experience and community engagement. Together, they aim to combine thoughtful service with efficient execution, leveraging their backgrounds to deliver a high level of organization and transparency.Nicole and Jakob exemplify the heart and professionalism that define the Grasons brand, said Brandon Ciaccio, Brand President of Grasons. Their passion for community connection and their strong business acumen position them well to serve families across the Sarasota and Venice markets. We are excited to welcome them to the Grasons network.Grasons is known for its expertise in managing estate sales and business liquidations with care and efficiency, helping clients maximize value while reducing stress during often complex transitions. For more information about Grasons of Sarasota-Venice, FL, visit https://www.grasons.com/sarasota-venice-fl/ or contact the team at (941) 205-6703. Stay updated on upcoming sales and community involvement by following Grasons of Sarasota-Venice on Facebook and Instagram @grasonssarasotavenicefl.

Sarasota Senior Services Can Help With Juggling Family and Aging ParentsYou don't have to do it alone, Sarasota senior services can help care for your loved one.Q) I have a busy career but often get calls at work for emergencies to help my aging father. How can I make sure my dad get the help he needs and reduce my stress over lost work?Angela R. - SarasotaA) Caring for an aging parent without the help of Sarasota senior services is never an easy task, but this task is made much more difficult when trying to juggle caregiving with a career. Family members are often forced to choose between one and the other: Do I go to my 3 oclock meeting or take my mother to the doctor? Managing both these tasks can often increase stress while decreasing your capabilities on one or both of these. But with Comfort Keepers Sarasota senior services, you don't have to do it alone!According to a national study conducted by MetLife and AARP, employees caring for family members aged 50 or older are widespread and increasing. Nearly 25 percent of all households have at least one adult who have provided care for an elderly person in the last 12 months. In addition to their caregiving responsibilities, about 64 percent of these family caregivers are employed, creating a juggling act between work and caregiving.Unfortunately, most family caregivers often underestimate the time required for caregiving and the impact of their obligation on their work. Listed below are some of the effects caregiving, without Sarasota senior services, can have on employee relations in the workplace, along with suggested solutions:PROBLEMS EMPLOYED FAMILY CAREGIVERS FACE:Career Stands StillResponsibilities at home can mean missing out on promotions and training at work, opportunities for job transfers or relocations, and acquiring and keeping up with necessary job skills.Loss in WagesIncome can drastically be cut as a result of caregiving obligations. In the national MetLife and AARP study, nearly two-thirds of respondents said that caregiving had a direct impact on their earnings. As a result of caregiving, the average loss in aggregate lost wages, Social Security and lost pension benefits reported was $659,139 over a lifetime.Reductions in Savings and SpendingCaregiving for a loved one can cause significant limitations to personal savings and spending, home improvements, vacations, and/or investments.Toll on HealthCaregiving responsibilities can often take a toll on the health of a family caregiver leading to increases in absenteeism in the workplace, early retirement, and job turnover. This can lead to a loss in employee productivity and overall workplace morale.Economic Loss for EmployersEmployers also lose money due to employees caregiving responsibilities. A previous MetLife study estimated that absenteeism, partial absenteeism, workday interruptions, eldercare crises, and costs associated with supervising employed caregivers conservatively averages $11.4 billion per year.SOLUTIONS FOR EMPLOYED CAREGIVERS:Employee Assistance ProgramsA growing trend in caregiving options that employers around the country are embracing to help employees out at work are programs like Work Options Group (WOG), a national employee assistance program that allies itself with centers and caregiving agencies to provide backup care in in case of an emergency.In order to alleviate this problem, major corporations often offer WOG to their employees in order to keep down the number of absentees due to caregiving. As soon as an employee realizes they are in need of backup care for a child or senior, they call the national WOG hotline to arrange for a local caregiver to come to the home, allowing the employee to go to work. Employed caregivers should contact their human resources department to determine if this support program is already available or perhaps a program their company should look into.National Caregiving AgenciesA second solution for caregiving support is to hire a national caregiving agency, such as Comfort Keepers. Comfort Keepers Sarasota provides senior care and in-home care at a fraction of the cost of moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home. Sarasota senior services offered include companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery and errand services, incidental transportation, personal care assistance, and more. Best of all, Comfort Keepers is available 24/7, catering to an employees varied work schedules.While there is no one solution to the caregiving epidemic in the workplace, these steps can help workers balance their career and their caregiving responsibilities while alleviating stress for both the family caregiver and the person being cared for.For more information please email us at [email protected] or call us at (941) 921-4747.

As parents age into their later years, there are a number of conversations that need to take place. Many of these conversations are around sensitive topics such as finances, aging care options, driving, safety, legal issues, and estate planning. When these topics are broached, its common to have a different opinion than an older loved one, or even than siblings and other family members. The most important aspect when discussing any of these subjects is to keep the best interest of the older loved one in mind.To help families navigate difficult caregiving conversations with older parents, American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care share the following recommendations.Talk Early and Often About the FutureHave conversations frequently about planning for future care needs. Doing this early, before the need for care arises, makes the topic easier to discuss because the scenario is hypothetical, rather than urgent. By having regular conversations around planning for the future, a loved one can make wishes known, allowing family members to act accordingly once a care need arises. Frequent conversations also allow the older parent to verbalize any changes to care wishes. Waiting to have these conversations until the middle of a crisis is stressful to everyone involved, and family members may be unable to fulfill a loved ones wishes.Make Observations and Do Homework Before Taking ActionBroaching a sensitive topic without any firsthand knowledge can backfire. Take the time to observe and gather accurate information before beginning a conversation. For example, if family members are concerned about an older loved one continuing to drive, ride along and observe before bringing up any safety concerns. Similarly, if family members are concerned about a loved one living safely at home alone, visit for a few days to get a real sense of how the older loved one navigates day-to-day responsibilities. Is the person able to bathe independently, shop and prepare healthy meals? Is the house clean and free from trip and fall hazards? When broaching concerns with the older loved one, always have realistic solutions to offer that can help the person continue to live safely and independently.Use Effective CommunicationNo one wants to feel ganged up on and put on the defensive. If its a struggle to broach a sensitive topic with a loved one, try an indirect approach, such as a conversation about an article or a friends situation that is similar. Refrain from using you statements, which put people on the defensive. Instead, use I statements such as I am concerned about Id like to help you with Im wondering about Remember that its a two-way conversation. Ask for the persons input with specific questions: Is taking care of the house becoming challenging for you? Would having some assistance with things be helpful? Are there worries or concerns youd like to share with me? Im wondering what your wishes are if something should happen to you?During these conversations, be a respectful listener and validate your loved ones concerns. Listen with an open mind and then reflect back what was said. Approach the conversation from a point of compassion, realizing that change is difficult. Recognize that the unknown can cause fear, and try reassuring the individual and validating their feelings.Include Key People in the ConversationsAn older loved one may be more willing to have a conversation or listen to advice about a sensitive subject from a trusted friend, member of the family, or from a respected advisor such as a physician, attorney, or religious leader. Often hearing advice from one of these individuals will help the older loved one feel more confident about making a change. As a family caregiver, be open to hearing alternative solutions that may be effective for an older parent.Base the Conversations on Love and SupportIf conversations about sensitive topics become heated, remember there is one common goal: ensuring the best quality of life for an older adult. Be sincere and respectful and ground conversations around a desire to support the persons independence, dignity and safety. As a family caregiver, reassure them that the goal is to support them, not take over their life. Ensure that the older adult feels loved and empowered about making difficult decisions by providing emotional support and practical solutions.How In-Home Care Can HelpThe friendly and knowledgeable referred care providers at American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care are here to help by offering a variety of in-home care services that help adults maintain independence through:Companionship including conversations about current events or reminiscingTransportation to doctors appointments, running errands or to social outingsPlanning and preparing nutritious meals and snacksLight housekeeping and laundry servicesAssistance with personal care needsHome safety assessmentsSpecialized care for Alzheimers, Parkinsons or other health conditionsPost-operative careSkilled nursing care for assistance with catheters, wound care, medication managementAnd much more!Each plan of care is customized through collaboration between the client and care provider, to help individuals remain in the familiarity of their home and community, while prioritizing quality of life.To help learn more about the Florida in-home care services trusted by families throughout the state, contact the office nearest you to discover all the ways in-home care can help older Floridians thrive.American In-Home Care  Serving North, Central, and West Coast of FloridaAdvocate In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest FloridaWhitsyms In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest FloridaState of Florida License and Registration Numbers: 30211518, 30211651, 30211295, 30211390, 30210978, 30211293, 30211382, 30211504, 30211733, 30211535, 30211531, 30211710, 30211709, 30211045, 5661