For older adults across the nation, the desire to remain at home is becoming increasingly obvious. Thousands of citizens are aging and gearing up for retirement, meaning there has never been a more prevalent time to settle, relax, and stay exactly in the spaces that make all of us feel safe.
In America alone, the number of aging adults only seems to be getting larger. Reportsclaim seniors account for almost one-fourth of the country’s entire population, signaling the need for more support around these individuals. Yet, as many get older and choose to be at home, the focus now must be on where the care is available, and what kinds of systems make this possible.
New Jersey is one area getting this right.
Applause Home Care, an independent and family-owned agency providing exceptional care to seniors in their homes, has responded to the demand with the recent opening of a new caregiving office in Maplewood, NJ. While Applause Home Care has served homes based in Fair Lawn and other parts of New Jersey for years, the newly expanded office represents another step toward making non-medical, in-home caregiving more accessible to adults who need it.
Jim Prussak, CEO of Applause Home Care, notes this is a major effort as the company hopes to further emphasize their niche philosophy of “care partnering,” an approach that encourages the patients to become the main drivers of their own care plans.
“This move gives us the opportunity to not only meet adults where they are at, but build even deeper relationships and emphasize our motto of ‘helping others help themselves’ so everyone can live safely, comfortably, and autonomously at home,” he said.
At the same time, expanding footprint in Maplewood comes at a time when nearly 93% of adults aged 65 and older say they prefer to stay right in their own living rooms, according to a Pew Research Center source. For companies like Applause Home Care, they are targeting this preference directly by bringing the attention directly to the elder’s living space. Care partnering is the main ideology embedded into Applause Home Care’s approach, known as a two-way exchange where the adult does the directing, and the caregiver supports as needed. Rather than viewing caregiving as a passive experience, the model emphasizes collaboration between the caregiver, older adults and their families.
This model has become increasingly important because many seniors today seek control over how they live. Familiar surroundings can give them the confidence they need to feel independent, while in-home programs can be tailored around an individual’s routines and preferences.
When adults become the forefront of their care, the dynamic shifts drastically. Older adults finally get the 24/7 attention if desired, without compromising their personal needs and priorities.
The result becomes a reality where elders get the optimal wellness they deserve, all while getting to remain in the comfort of their homes.
As New Jersey’s older population continues to develop, Applause Home Care is setting the tone for a more flexible, safe, and person-centered alternative. With the new office addition in Maplewood, this is only the beginning of better caregiving for the elders who have wanted something more for so long.
Prussak continues, “We look forward to becoming an essential part of the Maplewood area, listening to the desires of families and reshaping what’s possible for senior citizens. Moving ahead, we’re excited to continue making care widely accessible so every individual in New Jersey can live an enhanced quality of life.”
Ultimately, Applause Home Care’s expansion is more than just an added building. It is a symbol of immense hope, where seniors are finally encouraged to live and age exactly how they want and where they want.
For all those looking to seek care for their loved one, the Maplewood office is located at 111 Dunnell Rd., Suite 102, Maplewood, NJ 07040. Applause Home Care plans to celebrate this opening with a ribbon cutting and welcome ceremony on August 29 at noon.