All posts by AIHC

Silverhawk Capital Partners forms American In-Home Care, LLC

News & Events

New company completes first acquisition in growing independent living services industry

September 23, 2013 – Silverhawk Capital Partners (“Silverhawk”), is pleased to announce the formation of American In-Home Care, LLC (“AIHC”) to create a leader in the independent living services industry, and the completion of its first strategic acquisition, AHC Cares, Inc. based in Orlando, Florida.

The independent living services industry is expanding rapidly as a result of several trends, including a growing, aging population with a desire to live independently at home, and the continued increase of outpatient surgical procedures requiring at home recovery.  To address these trends and the disparate, fragmented approaches to providing these services, Silverhawk has established AIHC.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, AIHC will be headed by Doug Hollman as CEO and President.  Mr. Hollman recently led Silverhawk portfolio company Discovery Health Record Solutions, where he managed its 5 fold growth, and completed 9 accretive acquisitions over a 5 year period, culminating in Discovery’s successful divestiture in late 2012. “We are excited about the opportunities this industry presents, the growth platform that our first acquisition will provide us, and the chance to work with Doug Hollman and key members of his management team from Discovery again,” commented David Scanlan, Chairman of AIHC and a Managing Partner of Silverhawk.

AHC Cares, Inc., established in 1992, is a leader in referring licensed caregivers in Central and Northern Florida, to clients that prefer personal control and authority over companion, homemaker and personal care services decisions. The company’s proven process recognizes the benefits of this consumer directed approach, and ensures that the registered caregivers are credentialed, verified and rigorously screened.  This process includes a background check, review of current licensing requirements, and inspection of their liability insurance, to provide the company’s clients with control, choice, and peace of mind when choosing their caregiver. Jim Mark the company’s owner and president, is an industry leader who serves as President of the Private Care Association, Inc., a professional association of similar companies that are dedicated to the concept of aging in place. Mr. Mark will continue with the new company as COO.  “ I am pleased that Jim Mark will continue as my partner in managing and growing AIHC,” remarked Doug Hollman, “ we respect his industry knowledge and leadership, vision for the future, and the compassionate methods he has developed for matching clients with caregivers so that they can continue to live in their homes.”

About AHC Cares, Inc.

AHC Cares, Inc. operating as American Home Companions, Inc. and American In-Home Care, Inc. provides access to personal care services in 23 counties in Central and North Florida under Florida State licenses.  These services include homemaker, companionship, and personal care provided through licensed, screened and empathetic caregivers.

Learn about American Home Companions, Inc. and American In-Home Care, Inc. at www.ahccares.com or call (877) 242-2255.

About Silverhawk Capital Partners

Silverhawk Captial Partners is an independent investment firm established in 2005 to invest in lower middle market transactions within the Growth Industrial, Energy/Natural Resources and Business Service sectors. Silverhawk typically invests between $10 million and $50 million of equity capital in growth oriented businesses with revenues ranging from $25 million to $250 million.  Silverhawk has offices in Greenwich, CT, Charlotte, NC and Overland Park, KS.

Learn more about Silverhawk at www.silverhawkcapitalpartners.com

Reach Silverhawk at info@silverhawkcp.com or call (203) 861-2905.

7 Ways To Care For Your Mom

All Posts, Family Caregiver Tips, ,

"Thirty million baby boomers are caring for their aging parents, often [it is] their widowed or single moms, often from far away," says Dan Tobin, MD. "This can be extraordinarily stressful for all involved."

It is sometimes difficult for children of aging parents to see their parents as they are now. It is difficult to come to terms with their aging and in turn, they choose to ignore or avoid the elephant in the room... that mom is getting old, and mom is changing.

Here are some ideas on how you can take proactive steps to improve the quality of your relationship with your mom.

  1. Schedule quality time. It is important to develop a routine and to stick to it! Spend routine quality time with your mom no matter how far away you live. Regular phone calls and regular visits help you be involved in your mom's life. "Being there" helps you monitor how she is doing with her daily living. Try to find activities that you both enjoy... but more importantly, that she enjoys doing - and do them together.
  2. Help your mother stay connected. Encourage your mom to stay connected to her community through volunteering, social and community activities, and through technology. Teach her how to stay connected with family and friends via email, through web-cam video chats, and many other senior friendly digital technologies. As people age, their world tends to get smaller, and that can lead to depression. Staying connected is so important.
  3. Focus on your mom's basic home safety and fall prevention. This is key for any senior who desires to stay safe in their own home. Click here for more info on home safety. Bonus Tip: Encourage physical mobility and exercise. This helps with bone strength, balance, and makes aging easier and safer.
  4. Rally the troops. Bring extended family together regularly for mom. Celebrate often! Remember to include her in your little everyday celebrations. It is a good idea to have siblings share the responsibility. I've heard of some siblings each taking a day of the week to call or check in on mom to ensure that regular contact is made but the burden is shared.
  5. Help mom talk about worries, concerns, fears. Depending on everyone's comfort level, it can be so helpful to ask your mom about issues - big and small. This can bring you deepen your relationship as you open up to each other. She may try to protect you by not sharing, but you may be surprised when she feels relieved that she can express her fears about the future. They are probably common fears like loss of independence, illness, frailty, etc. Getting them out and on the table might be incredibly therapeutic for everyone involved.
  6. Find high-quality affordable in-home assistance. It is not uncommon for older adults to do without, rather than asking for help. Possibly this is because they are concerned about money, but probably it is because they fear needing help - thinking it means that they will need to move. Or maybe they don't know how to go about finding help. Any help you can offer to help your mom feel comfortable with help will improve her chances of aging safely and happily in place - the desire of most.
  7. Laugh with her. Laughter is the best medicine. It releases tension and can brighten the moment. Gauge it to your mom's personality, but add as much humor to as many situations as possible. Go see a funny movie, read the funny section in the paper, laugh about a funny family memory.

It is very difficult to be part of the "sandwich generation" where you may be taking care of your parents as well as teens. If your loved one is your father, or uncle, or whomever... sub out the words mom for your relationship and adjust the pronouns as needed.

The best thing you can do for your loved one is being there, and helping them find help before they even ask. At American In-Home Care, we always refer qualified, screened, care providers that can assist you with your in-home care needs. Contact a Client Care Liaison at any time to set up a free assessment of your in-home care needs; they can provide you with options for and additional information about home care Orlando families trust. With 14 offices across the state of Florida, we offer services in Orlando and surrounding areas and are available to take calls 24/7 at 1-844-505-0004.

Long Term Nursing Care, Private Caregiver

Elderly Hearing Loss: Communication Tips

All Posts, Chronic Disease Care, Family Caregiver Tips, , ,

What? What? Huh?

*Smile and nod*

Care For Dementia Patients, Live In Home CareSound familiar? Below are some elderly hearing loss suggestions for communicating with loved ones:

  • Before beginning to speak, get the attention of the person with hearing loss
  • Face the person and have the light on your face (in your eyes)
  • Speak up, as clearly and naturally as possible, without shouting
  • Do not overemphasize the speech sounds or talk in slow motion
  • Cut out background noise by turning off the TV or radio
  • Write down important information and directions
  • Don’t cover your mouth with your hand or an object
  • Think about trimming a mustache and/or beard so lips are easier to read
  • Rephrase a misunderstood sentence rather than repeat it
  • Ask the person with the hearing loss to repeat vital facts
  • When traveling by car, look at the person who is speech reading to the degree safety allows
  • When going to a restaurant, choose a quiet, well-lit establishment where the noise is tolerable. Ask for a table away from music speakers and in a corner, so the person with a hearing loss can sit against the wall to minimize background noise
  • When in a group, clue the person into the conversation, the punchline, the context, and/or assist the person when topics change

If the listener does not understand you:

  1. Repeat what you said
  2. Slow down
  3. Speak slightly louder than normal
  4. Re-word or re-phrase (say it another way using common words)
  5. Present sentences in short units, breaking them down into “chunks” (“I went on a trip…with my daughter’s class…to Ellis Island”)
  6. Request feedback (“Tell me what you understood.”)
  7. Write down some important words

*Information Courtesy of the The Center for Hearing and Communication. For more information visit chchearing.org.

If hearing loss goes unchecked, the individual might begin to feel isolated and depressed. American In-Home Care can help someone with hearing loss by providing companionship and other services to help them remain independent and stay safe within his or her home and daily environment. Contact us for more information or to set up a free in-home consultation.

Care For Dementia Patients, Live In Home Care

Improve Your Balance and Prevent Falls

All Posts, Family Caregiver Tips, Health and Wellness, ,

As we age, good balance can be a life-saver.

Improve Your Balance, Prevent FallsFalls among the elderly are a leading cause of debilitating injury (such as hip fractures) and a serious risk factor for premature death. By preventing balance problems and working to improve remaining ability, seniors can improve their quality of life and reduce crippling injuries. Follow these exercises below to improve your balance immediately, and to live a more active and healthy lifestyle.

10 Exercises for Improving Balance

  1. Knee lifts: Attempt to lift the knee as high as the hip using a secure object to assist in maintaining balance in the beginning. As you grow stronger, decrease the tendency to lean on a support, and try holding the leg up for 3 seconds or longer. It is important to never close your eyes while performing standing stretch and relaxation activities due to difficulties maintaining balance.
  2. Point and Flex: While sitting, point your toes and then flex them. Repeat with both feet.
  3. Toe Tapping: While sitting, tap your toes. Repeat with both feet.
  4. Sit-to-Stand: When necessary, use a chair for support when standing and again when returning to a sitting position. Try to gradually decrease use of the arms as the legs get stronger.
  5. Calf Muscle Strengthener: While holding onto a wall, chair or the kitchen sink, repeatedly raise yourself up and down on tiptoes. As your strength improves, go higher up on your toes and eventually try it on one foot at a time.
  6. Shin Muscle Strengthener: Lean your back against a wall with your heels placed seven to eight inches away from the wall. Lift the toes of both feet off the ground as high as possible.
  7. One-legged Stand: Hold onto a secure object during balance training, such as a sturdy chair. Lift one leg off the ground and try to maintain balance on the standing leg.
  8. Hip/Thigh Muscle Strengthener: Take extra trips up and down the stairs. Hold onto the banister with one hand and press the other hand against the wall for safety. If you’re wary of stairs, you can strengthen the same muscles by getting up out of a chair repeatedly. Grip the arms of the chair if you need to, but you’ll get more benefit from the exercise if you don’t push with your hands.
  9. Pelvis Exercise: When walking, if the pelvis does not shift far enough, the older adult’s foot will swing too low causing a decreased height in step, which can cause tripping and falling. Exercises that target the pelvis may be beneficial. Using a chair for support, pretend that you are trying to keep a hula hoop around your waist.
  10. Walking Check-in: In addition to lower step height, many older adults develop a shorter step length. Walking forward, backward, and sideways in front of a mirror will encourage the older adult to check posture, length of stride, and walking efficiency. Holding a balance bar, side-step right along the length of the bar and then repeat to the left.

Before beginning an exercise program, however, one should first have a complete history and physical, including a review of medications, a muscular/skeletal check for any abnormalities and blood tests to determine cholesterol and glucose levels. Additionally, any exercise program should build gradually to avoid burnout, boredom, or injuries.  Contact American In Home Care for more information on how to implement these exercises with a knowledgeable care team.

Improve Your Balance, Prevent Falls