This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Local Voices

Seniors Helping Seniors Orange County Operations Acquired

Seniors Helping Seniors San Diego (SHS) has acquired the Seniors Helping Seniors Orange County operations which significantly expands its caregiving service network in Southern California.

“The acquisition of the Orange County operations is a key part of our long-term strategic plan in California to provide a wide range of care alternatives for seniors who would like to remain in their homes as well as flexible employment opportunities for seniors who still want to work,” said Sue Erskine, SHS co-owner. Erskine, who along with her sister Doris Dorey (who operates SHS in NJ) and daughter Tricia Izadi currently provide caregiving services in several San Diego County communities.

Lisa Huscher, previous owner of SHS Orange County for the past five years, explained that the tremendous growth of her operations over the past year was a major consideration in bringing in Erskine, Dorey and Izadi as new owners. “These women have extensive business backgrounds and experience in providing care for seniors,” Huscher said. “They are able to continue servicing the needs of my clients and caregivers in a way the builds on our current success.” Huscher will be a part of the new operations with responsibilities for business development.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We want to expand on the substantial foundation Lisa developed in Orange County,” Erskine said. “There still is plenty of room for growth and we plan to continue to hire additional care providers and expand the care receiving client base in the months ahead.” The Orange County operation provides services throughout southern Orange County.

“By incorporating Orange County into our San Diego operations, we can provide additional flexibility for families who might live in one of these counties but have a senior family member living in the other to ensure their loved ones receive the level of care they need,” Erskine said.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Services provided include companion care, light housekeeping, personal care, transportation, over-night supervision, 24-hour care, house maintenance and small repairs and yard work. In most cases the care is provided in the senior’s own home; however, occasionally the client may reside with a relative or live in an assisted living community or other group living setting and services can be provide there.

Senior caregivers are being actively recruited for both San Diego and Orange Counties. Seniors can call 800-481-2488 for more information. For seniors seeking flexible, part-time employment opportunities, SHS provides both rewarding work and financial benefits. In a recent Gallup survey of people currently working, 63 percent said they planned to work part-time when they reached retirement age, and nearly two-thirds of those said they would do it because they wanted to do something meaningful with their time. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, the percentage of people who work and people who want to work has increased markedly in both the 65-and-older and 75-and-older groups. For 2011, the participation rate for 65 and older was 17.9 percent compared with 10.8 percent in 1985. For 75 and older, the rate jumped from 4.3 percent in 1990 to 7.5 percent in 2011.

Erskine is former co-founder and CEO for Essential Learning, the leading provider of interactive e-learning solutions for behavioral and community health, substance abuse, corrections, and social service organizations throughout North America. It was her father’s need for assistance that brought Erskine, Dorey and Izadi together to launch SHS San Diego and New Jersey.

Seniors Helping Seniors in-home services was co-founded by Kiran and Philip Yocom in 1998 and was created from Kiran Yocom’s personal mission to care for those who are unable to care for themselves. Before coming to the United States from India, Kiran worked with Mother Teresa for 14 years. Currently, Kiran serves as the organization's Chairwoman, and Philip as the President/CEO.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?