Power Marketing Super Conference

From the Desk of Valerie VanBooven RN BSN,

Hey everyone, I said I'd never do this....I usually speak at OTHER people's events, but I've been convinced that this year is probably one of the most important years ever to reach out to as many elder care and senior service providers as possible to show them NEW ways to market their businesses.

Marketing budgets are tight tight tight, and we are facing an uphill economic battle for the rest of 2009. All of that being said, there are TONS of ways to market on a shoestring budget that will absolutely blow the competition out of the water.

Here's the scoop:

Sept 30 and Oct 1, 2009 I am letting 50 people, yep ONLY 50 people into my inner circle for 2-days of non-stop education on power marketing techniques BOTH online and offline.

(UPDATE: June 3 at 2pm Central- After sending out only one email, only 38 spots left. We WILL SELL OUT)

Our Power Marketing SuperConference will be workshop style, getting down to the nitty gritty, no fluff, no puffery, only stuff that works.

This is about MAKING THE PHONE RING IN YOUR OFFICE.

That's it.

In 24 hours I will show you every technique and strategy that works RIGHT NOW, TODAY. (Not yesterday's old hat stuff).

Here's a general run down of topics I KNOW you want to learn more about:

• Top strategies for networking that bring in referrals fast.
• Who your referral source should REALLY be in your local area.
• Strategies that give people every reason to believe that you are the only expert they should be doing business with.
• Online Social Media Marketing A-Z. (We could spend a whole day on this alone!)
• Prospect/ Lead Follow Up BluePrint A-Z
• Collateral materials that every office should have to hand out (hint: not a brochure)
• How to attract crowds at senior fairs/seminars fast, effective, and inexpensively.
• Seminar success strategies- fill the room every time.
• Lots of time for Q/A with Valerie VanBooven- anything you want to ask.
• Possible round table discussion with successful business owners and new business owners- what works and what doesn't work in their areas.
• Learn how to use video to your advantage!

Cost? Surprisingly cheap of course.

The lowest fee we could justify to cover our costs for location and materials was $249.

Then we decided we could do better for EARLY BIRD ENROLLMENT.

So right now the price is $179. Until August 1. Then the price goes UP!!
Click HERE to REGISTER!

That's per person, the whole conference, all materials included. Refunds available until August 30, 2009 only minus a $25 processing fee. After August 30, NO REFUNDS, NO EXCEPTIONS.

You are- of course- responsible for your own travel and hotel stay.

We will provide continental breakfast both mornings, the rest of your meals are on your own.

Here are the details:

• Location: Ameristar Resort Spa and Conference Center, St. Charles, Missouri
  • Ameristar Casino Resort Spa's all new hotel features 397 spacious suites measuring over 650 square feet. Each of these spectacular rooms feature free wireless high speed internet, 3 plasma screen TV's, an automated mini-bar, his and hers granite top sinks, a separate shower and tub, and a marble entryway. Indoor & Outdoor Pool, Wi-Fi, Breakfast, & Fitness Room.
    
    Handicapped accessible
    Motorcoach parking is available
    #1 Ameristar Blvd.
    St. Charles, MO 63301
    636-949-7777
    www.ameristar.com
• Negotiated Room Rate (very limited in availability) is $159 per night. This hotel maintains a 98% occupancy, so reserve your rooms NOW.
• The discount code for the room rate is Long Term Care Experts.
• There are 7 places to eat onsite, plenty of choices for meals.

• There is also a list of hotels that might be cheaper in the surrounding area HERE.
  • You will need a rental car or taxi if you stay off-site. Believe me.
  • The area around the hotel is considered "Old St. Charles" and there are lots of places to shop/antiques/tours/history/bed and breakfasts. Learn more here.

• Dates/Times: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - Thursday, October 1, 2009
  • Start Times: Wednesday: 8-10am Continental Breakfast, 9-10am Registration, 10am Conference Begins, 5pm Conference Ends.
  • Start Times: Thursday: 8am Continental Breakfast, 9am Conference Begins, 12noon Conference Ends. Check Out.

Power Marketing Super Conference

From the Desk of Valerie VanBooven RN BSN,

Hey everyone, I said I'd never do this....I usually speak at OTHER people's events, but I've been convinced that this year is probably one of the most important years ever to reach out to as many elder care and senior service providers as possible to show them NEW ways to market their businesses.

Marketing budgets are tight tight tight, and we are facing an uphill economic battle for the rest of 2009. All of that being said, there are TONS of ways to market on a shoestring budget that will absolutely blow the competition out of the water.

Here's the scoop:

Sept 30 and Oct 1, 2009 I am letting 50 people, yep ONLY 50 people into my inner circle for 2-days of non-stop education on power marketing techniques BOTH online and offline.

(UPDATE: June 3 at 2pm Central- After sending out only one email, only 38 spots left. We WILL SELL OUT)

Our Power Marketing SuperConference will be workshop style, getting down to the nitty gritty, no fluff, no puffery, only stuff that works.

This is about MAKING THE PHONE RING IN YOUR OFFICE.

That's it.

In 24 hours I will show you every technique and strategy that works RIGHT NOW, TODAY. (Not yesterday's old hat stuff).

Here's a general run down of topics I KNOW you want to learn more about:

• Top strategies for networking that bring in referrals fast.
• Who your referral source should REALLY be in your local area.
• Strategies that give people every reason to believe that you are the only expert they should be doing business with.
• Online Social Media Marketing A-Z. (We could spend a whole day on this alone!)
• Prospect/ Lead Follow Up BluePrint A-Z
• Collateral materials that every office should have to hand out (hint: not a brochure)
• How to attract crowds at senior fairs/seminars fast, effective, and inexpensively.
• Seminar success strategies- fill the room every time.
• Lots of time for Q/A with Valerie VanBooven- anything you want to ask.
• Possible round table discussion with successful business owners and new business owners- what works and what doesn't work in their areas.
• Learn how to use video to your advantage!

Cost? Surprisingly cheap of course.

The lowest fee we could justify to cover our costs for location and materials was $249.

Then we decided we could do better for EARLY BIRD ENROLLMENT.

So right now the price is $179. Until August 1. Then the price goes UP!!
Click HERE to REGISTER!

That's per person, the whole conference, all materials included. Refunds available until August 30, 2009 only minus a $25 processing fee. After August 30, NO REFUNDS, NO EXCEPTIONS.

You are- of course- responsible for your own travel and hotel stay.

We will provide continental breakfast both mornings, the rest of your meals are on your own.

Here are the details:

• Location: Ameristar Resort Spa and Conference Center, St. Charles, Missouri
  • Ameristar Casino Resort Spa's all new hotel features 397 spacious suites measuring over 650 square feet. Each of these spectacular rooms feature free wireless high speed internet, 3 plasma screen TV's, an automated mini-bar, his and hers granite top sinks, a separate shower and tub, and a marble entryway. Indoor & Outdoor Pool, Wi-Fi, Breakfast, & Fitness Room.
    
    Handicapped accessible
    Motorcoach parking is available
    #1 Ameristar Blvd.
    St. Charles, MO 63301
    636-949-7777
    www.ameristar.com
• Negotiated Room Rate (very limited in availability) is $159 per night. This hotel maintains a 98% occupancy, so reserve your rooms NOW.
• The discount code for the room rate is Long Term Care Experts.
• There are 7 places to eat onsite, plenty of choices for meals.

• There is also a list of hotels that might be cheaper in the surrounding area HERE.
  • You will need a rental car or taxi if you stay off-site. Believe me.
  • The area around the hotel is considered "Old St. Charles" and there are lots of places to shop/antiques/tours/history/bed and breakfasts. Learn more here.

• Dates/Times: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - Thursday, October 1, 2009
  • Start Times: Wednesday: 8-10am Continental Breakfast, 9-10am Registration, 10am Conference Begins, 5pm Conference Ends.
  • Start Times: Thursday: 8am Continental Breakfast, 9am Conference Begins, 12noon Conference Ends. Check Out.

Sedatives Increase Suicide Risk Among Elderly

THURSDAY, June 4 (HealthDay News) --Sedatives greatly increase the risk of suicide in the elderly, Swedish researchers say. In their study, hypnotic medication also was linked with a greater likelihood of suicides in older people. "Sedative treatment was associated with an almost 14-fold increase of suicide risk in the crude analysis and remained an independent risk factor for suicide even after adjustment for the presence of mental disorders," wrote Anders Carlsten, of Gothenburg University. "Having a current prescription for a hypnotic was associated with a fourfold increase in suicide risk in the adjusted model." The drugs may increase suicide risk in the elderly by triggering aggressive or impulsive behavior, or by providing the means to take an overdose, the researchers said. It's also possible that sedatives may merely be markers for other factors related to suicide, such as sleep disturbance, lack of a social network, interpersonal problems, alcohol abuse and physical disability. "Persons with these problems might be more likely to seek health care and perhaps more likely to receive prescriptions for psychotropic drugs. However, given the extremely high prescription rates for these drugs, a careful evaluation of the suicide risk should always precede prescribing a sedative or hypnotic to an elderly individual," Carlsten said. The study appears in the current issue of BMC Geriatrics. More information The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more about older adults and suicide.

Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Seniors On The Web

What is actually old these days? Senior citizen no longer mean old. Seniors are much fitter now compared to when they were younger. They are traveling around the countryside in RV's enjoying their many years of labor. Retirement from work does not mean retirement from life.

Senior does not mean retirement from work either. There are many people in their late 60's who are still working. By being healthy, they are able to remain in the workforce.

Many seniors are comfortable with the web now. They have embraced the web, and many even shop on the web. The days are gone when the web used to be a place strictly for the young.

Verlia Caldwell, Pres.
www.icareforyouhomecare.com

Just 1 Call In Charlotte, N.C.

There are over 100,000 seniors and adults with disabilities living in Charlotte, N.C. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Aging Coalition sponsored an Aging Issues Report that revealed over one-third of the seniors polled did not know where to turn for information about services.

Citizens, especially seniors do without senior services when they are not aware of their existence. Needs that are simple may become urgent, and even critical because information and assistance is not easily available. It has been a problem providing comprehensive Information services to states throughout the U.S. and Canada for years.

Just call the one stop, high-tech, high-touch information and assistance service in Mecklenburg County (Charlotte), North Carolina. This is a service of Mecklenburg County government and was designed by a diverse team of professionals, consumers, and other key stakeholders, both in the public and private, for-profit and not for profit sectors.

Just call used input from seniors, outline strategies to eliminate the barriers to obtaining and effectively using information. Just Call does not use an automated telephone answering system. There are no complicated push-button menus or transfers from one operator to another that often confuse and frustrate senior callers.

Just Call operators are answered by trained and experienced social workers that have the ability to effectively communicate and listen not only to what is said by caller, but what is not said, knowing when and how to delve into deeper, often difficult issues.

The social worker who answers the call is most often the only person the customers will have to speak to in order to have the confronting problems addressed, whatever these problems maybe. The social worker can do comprehensive screening and assessments by need, either over the phone or in the customer’s house.

Just Call’s social workers do a great deal more than disbursing phone numbers of service providers. To achieve the highest level of customer service, the social workers practice what J1C calls “cloning the loop.” The social workers will engage in three-way calls to assure that an effective connection is made between the caller and provider, and that accurate information is received and understood by all parties involved.

Just 1 Call can help customers access a variety of services in Charlotte Mecklenburg such as:

• Transportation and housing.
• Health care services and products.
• Financial bid.
• Leisure and social activities.
• Legal services.

Just 1 Call is totally confidential, free of charge and easy to use.

Just 1 Call has solid partnership with businesses, agencies, and organizations throughout Mecklenburg County. They are the first information and assistance provider in the region to include for-profit providers in their database.

Just 1 Call recognizes the vast cultural diversity in Mecklenburg County and can deliver the same quality service to callers in more than 140 languages. Just 1 Call also recognizes individual’s preferences regarding methods of communication.

Just 1 Call has an easy-to-read “interactive web site, which allows Internet users to access the entire Just 1 Call provider database as well as the “hottest” information on the Community Bulletin Board. Service providers can apply for inclusion or change current data in the Just 1 Call database via the web.

Just 1 Call is very successful. It has been recognized both nationally and internationally as a model of a community-based information and assistance program.
Just 1 Call has been reviewed in the state of N.C., Texas, New York, Mississippi, and Maryland.
Locally, one customer has called Just 1 Call “the best use of my tax money I have ever seen.” Another commented, “When I use Just Call, I never feel rushed, and I get the help I need. No problem is ever too big or too small for Just 1 Call.”

Just 1 Call can be contacted at (704) 432-1111 in the Charlotte Mecklenburg area, or toll-free at (877) 889-0323. You can visit Just 1 Call on the Internet at www.just1call.org.

Verlia Caldwell, Pres.
www.icareforyouhomecare.com

Ref: Alan Geltman, Just1Call Project Coordinator

Why Choose I Care For You Home Care L.L.C. In Charlotte, N.C.

1. Caregivers screened and credentialed in accordance with industry standards.

2. Total care coordination between the client, family caregiver, and agency.

3. Client to caregiver matching service ensuring compatibility.

4. Friendly, and supportive caregivers, and staff.

5. Regular client visits by management ensuring customer satisfaction.

6. 24-hour accessibility.

7. Flexible schedules.

Verlia Caldwell, MA

www.icareforyouhomecare.com

www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/verlia/caldwell

www.facebook.com/people/Verlia-Caldwell/1501174872

www.twitter.com

When Is A Senior Too Old To Drive

Americans are living longer than ever before. This is due to healthier lifestyles, increased exercise, greater awareness about nutrition, and more advanced medications to either control or delay the onset of old age. So, when do they become to old to drive?

Aging slows down your physical, and neurological mobility. Simple everyday tasks, once easy to perform become more daunting. We are robbed of our independence. Driving is one of the last frontiers of freedom we have. This makes it hard for an adult child to tell a parent, or love one that they shouldn't drive anymore because their ability is impaired, and they are a danger to themselves, and others. Expect them to put up a fight.

You should watch for a change in a parent's driving ability, such as, driving slower, poor reaction time to lights, and signs, more timid about faster drivers, reluctant to drive on the freeway. This is a good time to ask how he/she has been feeling lately.

Look for any unusual complaints like more tired than usual, not seeing as well, hearing seems impaired, etc.. Pay attention to his/her behavior around the house. It could be a case of over medication. When was the last time he/she had a checkup. They won't admit to physical ailments. This is when we have to take charge. We should rule out medical causes first for the change in driving habits. If it is not a medical problem, it is old age slowing down the senses. It could be their sight, hearing, or just a slowing reaction time.

Offer to drive to the grocery store, or movies with them. Observe their diriving skills to see if anything is different. Are they driving in a manner that could cause an accident, or put them in harm's way. If a difference is noticed in their driving ability, contact the family and call a meeting to discuss your findings.

If you find a parent is too dangerous on the road, develop a plan on how to address the findings. Develop a plan that works best for your situation. Be as caring as possible. When you offer your observations, don't sound accusatory. This is their freedom being taken away, so it won't be easy. Put yourself in their shoes. They will be angry, and rebellious. Do not hold it against them. Tell them you are doing this because you love them, and want them to be safe.

Taking away a parent's driving privilege is a difficult thing to do, so you may not succeed. If your parent has always been independent, the last thing he/she want is to depend on you or anyone else for help. It is vital that you have a plan in place that will be easy, and simple to follow. Make sure it does not interfere with their usual routine.

Our responsibility is to make sure that safe driving habits are not only practiced by our children, but by our aging parents as well. Take good care of them, and treat them with the same dignity, and respect that you would want for yourself when you are their age. It is never as far away as we think.

Verlia Caldwell

President/Owner

www.icareforyouhomecare.com