All Posts in "Personal Finance/Consumers"

FirstLight Home Care, serving Pierce and Thurston counties, has been recognized for its work in the homecare industry by the 2017 Best of Home Care Awards.

The awards are presented annually by Home Care Pulse, a third-party research and quality-assurance homecare management firm, and are based on feedback from clients and employees.

More than one-third of FirstLight’s locations across the United States were honored. In Washington, FirstLight of South Sound, which is based in Olympia, received Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice awards.

The South Sound franchise, owned by Sarah and Greg Lane, offers home, respite and senior care services throughout Thurston County and the south Pierce County area. The latter includes DuPont, Yelm and Roy.

In addition to helping older adults live independently in their homes, FirstLight serves people who have disabilities or are recovering from illness, injury or surgery.

srmedia by — March 28, 2017 in Personal Finance/Consumers

A ratings service for senior care has ranked Point Defiance Village in Tacoma as one of its Best of 2017 award winners.

The award from SeniorAdvisor.com recognizes the Holiday Retirement-owned community for receiving consistently high marks in a five-star ratings system from residents and their families throughout 2016.

“This award is not something that just happens. It is a direct result of the team at Point Defiance Village and their hard work and compassion for our residents,” said Lilly Donohue, chief executive officer of Holiday Retirement.

To qualify for a Best of 2017 Award, communities must offer either assisted living, Alzheimer’s care, independent living, low-income senior housing, skilled nursing or in-home care in the United States or Canada, have an average overall rating of at least 4.5 stars, and have received three or more new reviews during 2016.

It’s the second recent industry award for Point Defiance Village, which also received Caring Star recognition from Caring.com’s nationwide consumer ratings.

Point Defiance Village is one of 91 communities operated by Holiday Retirement that received the latest award.

SeniorAdvisor.com provides online access to the information families need when making a senior care decision, and features trusted reviews and advice from local residents and their loved ones, said Eric Seifert, president of the rating service.

Holiday Retirement, which has been in business since 1971, has more than 300 retirement communities, making it the second-largest senior-housing operator in the US.

srmedia by — February 21, 2017 in Personal Finance/Consumers

Are you thinking about moving into a retirement community but don’t know where to start looking or what questions to ask? Then the Tacoma Senior Living Community Tour might be just the thing.

The five-community tour will be hosted on Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The participating communities are Franke Tobey Jones, Merrill Gardens, Narrows Glen, Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community, and The Weatherly Inn.

“Together, we want to make sure people are well-informed about the options for senior living communities in the Tacoma area,” said Linda Lee, community relations director at the Tacoma Merrill Gardens and one of the tour organizers. “We want to help seniors find the very best community that will fit their wants, needs, desires, location and budget.”

Tour participants can either RSVP to reserve a seat on one of the community vans that will take them to the tour sites, or drive themselves and start at any of the five communities. To be on one of the vans, RSVPs must be made by Feb. 17 by calling 253-756-7562. Transportation services are limited, “so RSVP today,” Lee suggested.

The program of the day is as follows. At 10 a.m.:

  • Start at one of the five communities.
  • Hear a short presentation about senior living communities and the day’s activities.
  • Tour that community.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

  • Get aboard the community van or drive in your own car and go to the next community.
  • Each van will have a representative from that community on the van to answer questions.
  • Each van will stop at all five locations, or drive yourself and visit the communities you choose.
  • Tour ends. “We’ll get you back to your starting community,” Lee said.

“We’ve hosted this tour five times in the past three years, and all to multiple-van capacity,” said Michelle Matz, senior director of accommodations at Franke Tobey Jones and also a tour organizer. “Most of the seniors that have taken this tour are just starting the process of looking around and seeing what communities are in the area and what they have to offer. We’re excited about hosting this tour again, as we’re able to provide a wide array of information and answer questions. We’ll also provide the opportunity to tour at least one or two apartments at each community, and this is very helpful for seniors to see firsthand.

“At the end of each of the previous five tours, the participants were hugging us and thanking us and so appreciative of all the information. It’s really gratifying knowing that we are providing seniors with information and options that will help them make a decision about moving to a senior living community.”

Additional information is available and RSVPs can be made at 253-756-7562.

 

srmedia by — January 31, 2017 in Personal Finance/Consumers

The 34th annual Tacoma Home and Garden Show will feature garden design ideas, more than 500 exhibitors, the Vintage Market, and around-the-clock “how-to” seminars Jan. 26-29 at the Tacoma Dome.

The show is billed as the state’s largest combined event for products and services for the home and garden, along with plenty of experts on hand.

Showgoers can also enter to win prizes which include garden tools, lawnmowers, and the grand prize — a $1,000 shopping spree at the show.

New this year, attendees can walk the show with a glass of wine or beer from a bar featuring local microbrews and wines.

There is a “Tiny House revolution” going on, and great examples of it will be spotlighted at the show by Carriage Houses Northwest, a show spokesman said. The Shoreline-based company will display two of its six models — the Northwest Cedar Bungalow and the Big Little Barn. These tiny custom homes and cottages can be used for vacation homes, Airbnb rentals, home offices, art studios and mother-in-law cottages.

Show hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 26-28 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 29. Admission is $12 for adults and free for children 16 and under. Weekday discount coupons are available online at www.otshows.com/ths/. Parking is free every day of the show in the Tacoma Dome parking lots.

srmedia by — January 17, 2017 in Personal Finance/Consumers