Interview - SWCAA

At House to Home Organizing,  we have helped many families in multi-generational homes who are either transitioning to the next life stage living situation or have loved ones who are downsizing. Often, our clients tell us they are overwhelmed and don't know how to begin. We spoke with Sharon Gesek, Director of Programs at The Southwestern CT Agency on Aging to help provide solutions to some of the challenges that older adults face.

For the busy person, what is the best description for Southwestern CT Agency on Aging?

SWCAA is a private, not-for-profit organization, designated by the federal government (according to the Older Americans Act of 1965) as an Area Agency on Aging, SWCAA is a funding source for federal and state dollars for the elderly in a fourteen town region of southwestern Connecticut.

Funding supports services such as in-home care, nutrition, legal, health, adult day care/respite, transportation, senior centers, outreach/social support and Information and Assistance.

What are the common challenges for older adults in Connecticut? 

Connecticut isn’t all that different than other states with one of the most challenging obstacles for adults as they age, navigating a complex, and at times confusing landscape of Long Term Services and Supports.

You offer numerous programs, what are the ones most in demand?

Access to In-Home Services and Supports to delay or prevent institutionalization, Caregiver Resources, Information and Assistance with Health Insurance Options and Medicare and Grant Opportunities to the Community.

For new caregivers of older parents, what areas should they focus on to get them started?

That’s a tough questions because each family situation is a bit different. I would start with calling a CHOICES counselor at one of five CT Area Agencies on Aging to get individual options that suit the caregiver and care recipient. An Information Specialist will need to get personal information and will then review available options to you and offer assistance in accessing the services you feel are suitable for your loved one. 

It could be connecting an individual with the VA, respite for the caregiver, or possibly in-home services through the CT Homecare Program for Elders.

You help older adults avoid scams, can you discuss the program?

SWCAA has an Informational Specialist who coordinates the Senior Medicare Patrol Program.  This is a nationwide program that provides one-on-one counseling and assistance to people on Medicare help them better understand their Medicare summary notices and understand billing and other paperwork that may be confusing or overwhelming. If there is a suspicious case or circumstances, the SMP Coordinator or a trained volunteer, can help beneficiaries report fraud to the proper state and federal authorities. Community SMP presentations  are offered at a whole host of area sites including libraries, Senior Centers, Community Centers, and faith based organizations. SWCAA will work with any organization that is willing to sponsor a community presentation to alert beneficiaries how to; Prevent, Detect and Report fraud and scams. 

Interview - Oasis Senior Advisors

A large percentage of our clients are caring for an older parent. Often we are called in to help make space for a parent to move in with their adult children or we help older adults downsize as they prepare for the next life stage. We spoke with Paul at Oasis Senior Advisors to provide additional options for caregivers because just like House to Home Organizing they don't believe there is a one size fits all solution for caregivers.

For the stressed caregiver what is Oasis?

We give the caregiver the information they need to have confidence that they are making the best decisions and creating the most appropriate plans for their loved one.

If someone wants your help, how do they begin?

Families can call us at 475.619.4123 or email at TheDoyles@YourOasisAdvisor.com to schedule a free consultation.

Finances are always an issue for the older adult, how much do you charge?

We are a free service. There is never a charge to the family for our services.

Do you help all seniors, despite the level of care required?

We offer solutions for all levels of care. We connect seniors with resources for whatever care needs they may have and make referrals to everything from medical equipment for the home, to home care, to Assisted Living and Memory care and to Skilled Nursing Facilities.

What happens when an older adult doesn't have family members who live close?

We are national company with 60+ franchises in 26 States. Working together seamlessly with our colleagues around the country we make sure that families are able to care for a loved one from wherever they may live.

In your experience what are the biggest challenges facing older adults in our community?

It’s very difficult for families and older adults to make plans and decisions on the best care without information about all of the resources available. We try to educate families on all the options available to them and the best practices in providing a safe and enriching environment for their loved one; whether that be at home, Assisted Living, Memory Care or Skilled Nursing.

Interview - Fit4Mom of Fairfield

Many of our clients come to House to Home because they not only want to take back control of their space, but they often want to take back control of their lives. Exercise and staying healthy can be hard for busy people and when you add kids to the equation forget about it. We spoke with Courtney at Fit4Mom for one possible solution to finding the right balance.

For the busy parent, what is Fit4Mom?

FIT4MOM is one stop shopping for the mom looking for a workout, a network of friends for her and her little ones and a supportive village to lean on through all stages of motherhood. As the nation’s leading provider of fitness programs for Moms (Fit4Baby, Stroller Strides, Stroller Barre, Body Back and Run Club) we are dedicated to Strength in Motherhood. Here, women have the opportunity to have a workout and support that is flexible around motherhood! 

How did you get started with company?

I discovered FIT4MOM right after I had my first child in 2011. As a brand new (and slightly terrified) mom, a colleague of mine encouraged me to meet her one morning at the Stamford Town Center for a class for moms and their babies called Stroller Strides. Being slightly skeptical and very nervous, I ventured out with my then 6 week old son. I mean was I really going to get a workout? What if my baby cried or was hungry? Do I need a jogging stroller? I had ALL the questions. And no sooner than the first five minutes of class did I know I found my lifeline as a new mom!

The women were kind, engaging, approachable, knowledgeable, authentic. There were moms with brand new babies like me, pregnant moms and veteran moms who had two or more children. The moms were of all fitness levels (and the workout was accessible for everyone) but most importantly, they were a wealth of mom knowledge and an instant village that I needed as a new mom! Our days and routines began to revolve around getting to Stroller Strides. It gave my baby and I a routine, something to look forward to, a great way to stay active without leaving my him and a place for me to connect with other women.  Four months into this whole motherhood gig, an opportunity to get certified and start teaching Stroller Strides classes arose and I knew I had found a way to extend my maternity leave from my teaching and coaching career.

Fast forward to my son’s first birthday and we moved from Stamford to Fairfield and my biggest concern, “what was I going to do without Stroller Strides down the street?" For a while, I continued to drive down to Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk (during rush hour) to attend and teach classes and then I got pregnant with my second. As much as I loved my village down in Stamford and Greenwich, I knew I needed one in my own town. We loved Fairfield but the one thing that was missing was Stroller Strides. So at 8 months pregnant with baby #2, I took a huge leap and purchased a FIT4MOM franchise. And this Spring, we are celebrating our 4 Year Anniversary!

Where are the classes held?

We currently have classes 6 days a week at various locations in Fairfield and Trumbull. During the warmer months (typically mid-April through mid-November) you can spot us at Veterans Park or Owen Fish Park in Fairfield and Twin Brooks park in Trumbull. During the colder weather months we hold classes at the Trumbull Mall before it opens (9am – 10am) and the Field House at Sportsplex in Fairfield. 

How does it work with the babies and kids?

During our Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre classes, the babies and kids (ranging anywhere from 6 weeks to typically 4 or 5 years of age) are buckled into their strollers. Each 60-minute workout is comprised of strength training, cardio and core restoration, all while entertaining little ones with songs, activities and fun! You will see the moms lunging and tickling toes, sprinting towards excited little ones ready to give high 5’s and kisses, planking for the duration of “Brown Bear, Brown Bear”, moms singing nursery rhymes as they use their resistance bands and more! Our instructors arrive each day with a functional, total-body conditioning workout designed for moms with kids in tow which means an arsenal of puppets, bubbles, games and songs which allow the moms to leave class feeling connected, successful and energized! No more mama guilt! This class is all about self care in a supportive and encouraging environment. After all of our classes it’s the kids turn to play!  We host weekly themed playgroups for the little ones and when we are outside the kids head to the playground. The moms with little ones get to hang out on the mats and blankets and connect and really make it a full outing each morning.

Which class is the most popular?

Our Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre classes are definitely the most popular as they are the backbone to FIT4MOM.  However, our Body Back program which is our moms only 8 week results based high intensity interval program and our Run Club provide great opportunities for moms who have returned to work or no longer have stroller aged children to take their fitness level to the next level and stay connected to our FIT4MOM Village!

Any interesting tales from the trenches mixing young ones and exercise?

I love this question because no class is ever the same, just like parenting young kiddos! A Stroller Strides or Stroller Barre class is never complete without spilled snacks, a fussy baby, a tired toddler, a sleep deprived mama, a mom who needs to pause their workout to nurse or feed their baby, some spit up or the occasional tears, you name it, we’ve seen it. Beyond the tough moments, you will see kids imitating the exercises and stretches that we did in class, an instructor rocking a fussy baby so that mama can get her workout in, little ones cheering their moms on (or telling them to run faster), little ones meeting and looking forward to seeing their best buddy, and some genuine mom and baby bonding! That’s what makes our classes so unique and special! Motherhood is hard! We are all moms (instructors included) and we get it! We pride ourselves on creating a safe space for all moms and their little ones to come together, support one another and truly provide the strength for motherhood all while knowing that #themotherhoodisreal.

Interview - Cozi

One of the main factors that determines why we get called in to help people is that they are busy. When you add parenting to the mix, finding the time is especially hard.  We spoke with Kati at Cozi for some thoughts on how technology can help you stay organized.

For busy parents, what is the best way to describe Cozi?

Cozi is a mobile app and website designed to keep busy families organized. Cozi has a shared calendar and lists that everyone in the family can see and update from any mobile device or computer.

What is the Cozi origin story?

You can find some of it here. The founders knew they wanted to design and build technology products for families, and when they were doing initial in-home visits, they kept hearing about the difficulties families had with keeping track of their busy schedules. So Cozi was born as a way to use technology to make family life simpler.

Besides the calendar function what other features does it have?

Cozi has a Shared Calendar, Reminders and Event Notifications, Shopping Lists, To Do Lists, Recipe Box, Meal Planner, and Family Journal. The premium version also offers a Birthday Tracker, Contacts, and other premium features like Shopping Mode and Mobile Month View.

What is the family journal?

The Cozi Family Journal is a fast and simple way to keep memories and fun everyday moments, so you can enjoy them again and again. You can save an image and jot down a memory to capture a family moment.

What is Club Cozi?

Club Cozi is our social ambassador program where members share news and stories from Cozi in their social media channels. Members use and love Cozi and want to share it with their friends.

In terms of feedback what feature seems to be most popular?

Most families come to Cozi to use the Shared Calendar. Multiple, busy schedules are part of family life, and keeping them all on one calendar is the best way to stay on top of it all. And families can rely on Cozi to send reminders, notifications, and daily agenda emails to the right people in the family. The grocery list is very popular too!