Taking Care

As America continues to age, more spouses and adult children will assume the responsibility of caring for a loved one. It's a role amounting to $600 billion in unpaid care in 2023 — up $130 billion in just four years, according to AARP.

Nearly 42 million of us are caring for an adult 50 and older, all while balancing full-time jobs, facing ongoing struggles in coordinating care and rising costs.

And as the nation grays at a rapid rate, the number of caregivers will only increase. With 10,000 Americans turning 65 daily through 2030, the 65-plus population will outnumber children 18 and younger for the first time ever in the next decade.

For many families, providing care themselves is the only financial option. The median costs of assisted living and nursing home care in the Punta Gorda metropolitan area are $3,550 and nearly $11,000, respectively, notes Genworth, which has been tracking long-term care costs since 2004. Neither option is covered by Medicare or insurance.

Caring for a loved one also takes an emotional and personal toll on a spouse or family member, impacting their health, social circle and quality of life. Respite for the primary caregiver is important for recharging and self-care.

"Sometimes spouses and adult children don't have a life beyond taking care of their loved one," said Kris Chana, co-founder of ActivAge Senior Care, a Port Charlotte business offering home health care and adult day care (www.activagecare.com). "It's harder on spouses because they no longer go out and do things together."

ActivAge provides temporary and permanent home-care services tailored to individual needs, whether it's around-theclock care, while the caregiver works, for a few hours of respite time or to help a senior retain independence while aging at home. Light housekeeping, grocery shopping, errands, doctor visits and medicine reminders can also be coordinated.

"There's a portion of the population who absolutely needs home health care," said Chana, who founded ActivAge with his wife, Chelsea, in 2017. "It bridges a gap for someone who's maybe had a fall, needs transportation or 24/7 care. We create a care plan based on the clients' needs."

ActivAge cares for patients with Alzheimer's, dementia and Parkinson's, and assists with meal preparation, grooming, toileting, laundry and hospital transportation — the latter a more affordable option to private ambulance. With a going rate from $30 to $40 an hour, home health assistance can add up. Genworth reports median monthly costs upward of $5,000 for at-home services.

That's why the Chanas launched the ActivAge adult day care center in Port Charlotte. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the center offers a full calendar of activities based on cognitive abilities, social engagement and an affordable alternative at $17 an hour. Chana describes it as a "premier adult day care for those on a fixed income and conscious of how they spend their money. It serves those stuck in the middle, middle-income families who don't qualify for Medicaid."

The center also provides a safety net for both client and caregiver, reducing isolation and loneliness, known to contribute to higher mortality rates, and decreasing dementia risk and cognitive decline through increased socialization. It also eases caregiver burnout and ensures attendees receive proper nutrition.

"I've noticed family caregivers are often reluctant to use services," said Chana. "They're worried about leaving their loved one, think they're not going to like it, and feel guilty. Then they realize their loved one is having a great time, making friends — and it gives them a break to play golf, have lunch with friends and explore hobbies. For the primary caregiver, you just see the weight of the world disappear. We take some of the burden off of them and give them the respite they need. It's a game changer."

The Chanas are opening ActivAge's 8,000-square-foot flagship Sarasota center with a Margaritaville theme this fall, and are offering franchise opportunities to meet the increasing demand for affordable solutions.

"We feel this is the future of senior care and plan to introduce it as a model across the country," he said. "There's a need for more adult day care centers like ActivAge. In the past, most have catered to the Medicaid population."

Chana, a thirtysomething, discovered senior care after giving up a career in finance — all six months of it. He worked for a family friend at an assisted living center and later at his own center, Chelsea Place, in Port Charlotte, eventually selling after identifying a lack of adult day care options.

"I discovered a passion for senior care and realized the aging population is going to need help," he said. "The next generation doesn't have a pension, just a 401K or they paid off a home."

Chana advises caregivers to ensure a facility has appropriate Florida licensing, insurance and suggests talking to staff, clients and other families, and visiting the center.

"The environment should be loving, caring and nurturing," he said. "Interactions should be kind and empathetic. You want a sense of comfort, the warm and fuzzies. I think you can feel that at our center.

"It's exciting to give an individual a break and give them back their life," added Chana. "It gives them more meaning and purpose while their loved one is around people at a similar stage in their journey." ¦