A Much-Needed Respite for Family: Seniors Helping Seniors to the rescue

When Cameron Schipul was a high-level executive with a large insurance company, he wondered if he was making any difference to anyone.

"I was a chief technology officer for National General Insurance and in the insurance industry, every day it's just stressful, long days," Schipul said.

"At the end of the day, you just wonder how much of an impact you had today versus tomorrow."

Added to that stress was the need to find help for his aging mother. That's when he discovered Seniors Helping Seniors, a franchise that places seniors who want to work with seniors who need help.

"The focus is really around those who require a little bit of assistance that is able to be served by a companion-care type of role, meaning meal preparation, light housekeeping, assistance around the house," he said.

Although the franchise has been around for some time — there are four in the Phoenix area — this is the first in southern Arizona, covering not just Pima County but Santa Cruz and Cochise counties.

Schipul opened in May of this year and is looking to hire, he said. What qualities should potential workers possess?

"Anyone who's interested in doing something that impacts someone's life and is comfortable going into (a care receiver's) home," he said. "A lot of times, baby boomers, we've worked a long career in other areas, so a lot of times our bosses weren't always very grateful and thankful, so we don't know if how we've spent our life is really what we want to do for our last few years. Caregiving is something that anyone can do. It's just a matter of making sure that they have the heart and passion for wanting to assist others."

The job entails tasks such as dog walking or doing the dishes. It could also mean changing bed linens or even just visiting. Both the families and the care recipients appreciate the help.

"I hear from individuals in the family saying, 'My mom has more energy now. She's actually getting dressed up when her caregiver comes over. She's excited about it,'" Schipul said.

"You hear a lot of stories about the difference."

Seniors Helping Seniors provides the means to be certified in first aid and CPR. There is also a four-hour training on confidentiality and HIPAA laws. Other, more personal tasks, such as helping a person into the shower, require additional certifications and are handled by different helpers.

Schipul said they match schedules so the time spent working is flexible and that's another benefit of the job, he added.

A flexible schedule works out for the care receivers as well. Sometimes, a person only needs a few hours of assistance, but many senior care companies only offer a full week's schedule. Then what?

"If you only want us one day a week we'll only be there one day a week," he said.

To attract care receivers and givers, Schipul visits churches, nursing homes, senior centers, and anywhere where seniors gather. He doesn't just visit; he gives talks.

"We have classes in signs of hearing loss when to know driving is something you should stop doing, home safety… a training class in fall delectables," he said. That's only a few. There are also classes on dementia and memory loss in family members and self-defense.

The cost to hire a caregiver from Seniors Helping Seniors is $34 an hour for the first 12 hours of a week. It's less per hour for more than that a week. Long-term care insurance can cover some of that. The VA may also cover some. Otherwise, the cost is out of pocket. Consultations are free.

"We also do a walk-through, make sure it's safe for the receiver as well as our caregiver," Schipul said. 'We really value the opportunity to go into individuals' homes and give those free assessments just to help out with tips on some of those things we train on in home safety."

This can be incredibly reassuring to out-of-town family members.

When Schipul found Seniors Helping Seniors he knew he had found the right business for himself. The upper management agreed.

"We've become a leader in this industry by prioritizing the best possible care for our seniors, and that means partnering with only the most passionate and hard-working franchisees,"

Seniors Helping Seniors president Namrata Yocom-Jan said. "That's exactly what we've found with Cameron as a new franchisee partner, who is well-equipped to provide unparalleled in-home services to those in need throughout Southern Arizona."

He said he believes in what he is doing and he knows he is now making a positive difference in people's lives.

"Churches will say it's not a business, it's a ministry," he said. "I know for my mom, just having someone closer to your age, they're going to have better conversations… It's not their kids and it's not some 20-year-old kid who'd rather be on their cell phone than spend time with them. I've seen it make a difference."

Schipul currently has an office in Sierra Vista, but he is accepting caregivers and receivers from as far north as Marana and as far south as Bisbee. He will open an office in the Catalina Foothills at the beginning of next year.