Steve's LIFE Profile Spotlight Story | Senior Helpers
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Meet Steve

This is his story...

Steve, a Marine Corps veteran, and former field engineer who served aboard the USS Lexington working on Skyhawk planes, faced a significant challenge after a stroke left him with left-side paralysis. Once fiercely independent, Steve found himself grappling with daily tasks that had become daunting. However, his journey took a transformative turn with the support of Senior Helpers and their dedicated assistance in accessing VA benefits.

Steve and his wife, Ella.

Senior Helpers' involvement began with a comprehensive LIFE Profile assessment for Steve. This proprietary assessment tool takes a deep dive into a senior’s ability to age in place successfully. For Steve, the assessment identified over 25 potential environmental safety risks and highlighted gaps in managing his medical conditions, predicting a high risk of hospitalization within six months.

"Before Senior Helpers, I felt lost," Steve reflects. "Now, I have the support I need to live life on my terms."

"At Steve’s initial LIFE Profile assessment, he was identified as having an 80% risk of being hospitalized in the next six months," Senior Helpers owner, Alay Yajnik, noted. In response, Alay presented Steve with a customized LIFE Profile plan. This plan included detailed descriptions of modifications to make his living environment safer and more accessible, along with strategies to support his daily tasks effectively. The report not only outlined actionable steps but also assigned responsibilities to caregivers and community services.

Steve with his Senior Helpers caregiver, Sara.

Sara, Steve's devoted caregiver from Senior Helpers, played a pivotal role in implementing the LIFE Profile plan. "Without Sara, there would be a large void," Steve reflects. "I wouldn't be able to keep my home in order."

"With Sara's support, I'm able to maintain a standard of living in my own home. It's comforting to know I can call one phone number and have my problems addressed. Senior Helpers provides 24/7 support, and they're always there for me."

Through Sara's attentive care and the collaborative efforts guided by the LIFE Profile assessment, Steve's scores in autonomy and independence, safety, management of medical conditions, and quality of life have all improved significantly. "Before Senior Helpers, I felt lost," Steve reflects. "Now, I have the support I need to live life on my terms." Steve’s risk of hospitalization in the next six months has now decreased by 50%.

Steve's desire to remain safe and independent in his home environment is paramount. "Staying home and maintaining as much independence as possible is what matters most to me," Steve emphasizes. Sara and the Senior Helpers team understand his needs intimately and provide tailored support to enhance his quality of life.

Sara's support extends beyond practical assistance to meaningful activities that Steve enjoys, like reminiscing about his service days aboard the USS Lexington and their outings to Monterey for fresh seafood.

Those moments are precious," Steve says with a smile. "Sara knows exactly how to support me, whether it's managing medications or helping with daily tasks."

"Senior Helpers didn’t just assist me with daily tasks," Steve reveals. "They opened my eyes to VA caregiver benefits that I didn't even know I qualified for." Alay and the Senior Helpers team guided Steve through the process of applying for these benefits, ensuring he received the support he rightfully deserved.

As part of their comprehensive support, Senior Helpers shared Steve's LIFE Profile scores and detailed reports with the VA. These documents demonstrated Steve's daily challenges and his increased need for assistance to maintain independence and safety at home. Through their advocacy and data from the LIFE Profile assessment, Senior Helpers successfully secured additional hours of VA caregiver support for Steve.

"As a Marine Corps veteran, utilizing my VA benefits through Senior Helpers has been a financial lifesaver," Steve acknowledges. "It saves me a substantial amount in out-of pocket costs, allowing me to focus on what's important: maintaining my independence and enjoying life."

As Steve continues to thrive with the unwavering support of Senior Helpers, he remains grateful for the newfound security and well-being they have brought into his life. Their partnership exemplifies the power of compassionate caregiving and effective coordination in enhancing the lives of veterans like Steve.

 


Special thanks to the Senior Helpers office in San Jose, CA for sharing this story with us.