Today, The Advisory Perspective Series’ focus is on quality of life and two women who have taken their years of experience caring for seniors within various aspects of overall care. They created a company dedicated to providing dignity, choice, truth and compassion to those they serve.
Let’s think about day to day living at home. What activities do we enjoy? What do we like to listen to? What might prove to be difficult for you to maintain, if faced with an illness, accident, surgery or treatment plan?
Finding and providing the best quality care solutions for those we love is an important part of living. It was well beyond my knowledge and comfort level when the time came for decisions to be made about my parents.
You see, it’s not always about medical care. It is a godsend to know, trust and respect people who are familiar with how “it” all works. “It” being the sytem, people, costs and processes involved to assist in times of need.
Allow me to introduce two women who bring a smile to my face everytime we talk, Molly Knoderer and Deanna Shaat the owners of Legacy Concierge Services. Legacy Concierge Services is unique in that they deliver “lifestyle choices” at home, source residential care facilities serving families considering outplacement too. While they are based in Northern California covering Sonoma and Marin Counties, they have resources throughout the US.
Molly Knoderer, co-founder of Legacy Concierge Services utilizes her nearly 30 year history in Senior Services to assist families in creating custom-tailored solutions for Legacy Concierge Service’s clients. With a degree in Human Development and a minor in Aging from UC Davis, Molly has navigated through all aspects of Senior Care including, Adult Day Programs, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing. She is a vocal advocate and has a long history of volunteering with organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association and Petaluma People Services. Molly is also an active member in Marin Women at Work, Sonoma County Section on Aging, Marin County Section on Aging, Senior Living Resources, Petaluma Senior Care Connection, Petaluma Polka Dot Powerhouse.
Deanna Shaat, Co-Founder of Legacy Concierge Services has spent the last 14 years advocating for seniors and their families in our community. Deanna’s journey began when she started her career as Director of Community Relations for a large assisted living company in her home town of Petaluma. During this pivotal time she became acutely aware of the challenges seniors and their families face when changes need to be made. Deanna went on to get her Administrator license for Assisted Living to further her education and expertise in guiding families towards proper care of their loved ones. Deanna then pursued different aspects of senior care including; Senior Placement, Discharge Planning and Social Work in a Skilled Nursing, Memory Care and running a small 6-bed Assisted Living in Petaluma. This has allowed her to understand all of the unique needs families encounter when making the decision to stay in the family home or move to a community that best fits their lifestyle. Deanna sits as an appointed member of Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging, representing the City of Petaluma. She is also an active member in Marin Women at Work, Marin County Section on Aging, Senior Living Resources, Petaluma Senior Care Connection, Petaluma Polka Dot Powerhouse.
Welcome Molly and Deanna!
Question 1. What do you enjoy about working with your clients?
Our favorite part is becoming involved with our clients from the 1st interaction we have. It’s important to us they share their thoughts, their stories, how they envision maintaining independence, what’s important to them. We use their information to craft together ways to honor their wishes with supportive solutions. When crafting plans for clients we respect their dignity and position options from a “personalized concierge” perspective. We celebrate when they express relief, joy and satisfaction with our services.
Question 2. How would you suggest a potential new client prepare for a 1st meeting?
We provide an intake form, an online information sheet clients often complete before we meet them. And, we often have adult children inquire about options for their parents/loved ones. We want to hear and learn about the person in need of services. Provide us with a synopsis of what is needed for the client for us to determine what you’re searching for to begin working on potential solutions for you.
Question 3. When someone agrees to become a client, what can they expect immediately? Over time?
Immediate and over time deliverables depend upon the unique situation of the client. If a client is in crisis with immediate requirements, we establish the plan, resources and implement as quickly as possible depending on the need for new living requirements (2-3 days). If a client is contacting us to determine a few months in advance to inquire about what’s possible for them in the future, we work together to complete the groundwork for what’s to come.
Over time, we have an ongoing client contact process to maintain contact regularly. Our goal is for our clients to feel supported, heard and valued at all times through solution focused support at all times.
Question 4. What is your service philosophy?
Your dignity is our legacy. We honor who are clients are and what they value. Working with seniors for decades, we collaborate with strong and thoughful service providers who believe as we do, in being “conduits of service” to clients. Relationships matter. Ethical care matters. Residential living locations are “more than a building”. It’s all about you, your care and your comfort.
Question 5. What resources do you provide to assist “laypeople” with understanding what is being discussed?
We have an intake form which is your “legacy worksheet” to assist all to understand the planning process and identify preferences/wishes for the entire family. Our primary focus is on the person to be cared for as we work with them and their families providing a “caregiver worksheet”.
Bonus Question 1. If you were to relay one piece of advice to anyone reading this, what would it be?
It’s important for all to understand “it’s a matter of when vs. if” in most cases for our seniors. Our experience has taught us what actions to take to create solutions. We understand crisis too and explain how preparation and advanced planning can help everyone in advance of needing to arrange for care.
Bonus Question 2. How has Covid 19 changed what you do and how you do it?
Clients needs are unchanged during these unusual times. We’ve adapted how we arrange moves into assisted living by providing virtual tours of facilities we’ve selected based upon your criteria. There are institutional challenges in this environment. Advocacy amidst these times is critical. Self isolation is essential to care needed. In-person visits are restricted. Communication with our clients and families is vital to the senior. Our years of collaboration with the third parties has allowed us to maintain vital communication and provide quality care to our clients.
Thank you Molly/Deanna for all you do for the many you serve. Bravo!
Planning in advance of transitions in life is preferable to reacting when in the middle of a situation. While we may not know everything that could impact us moving forward, this is a great time to consider what’s in your control to begin now. And that, is where I come in! Let’s get moving to create a roadmap for life and work; work and life for those at home and our businesses.
If you or someone you know would benefit from working with me individually, for their employees or companies, contact me via Email or check out the website @ The Living Planner for additional information.
We’re all in this together. Stay well. –Lynn
#LifeAndBusinessIntersect #CareForPeopleCareForBusiness #StepUpStepIn