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Kristin Kopp
President/Founder
At Home Solutions, LLC | |
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Dear Friends of At Home Solutions,
"World population graying ever more rapidly." This was a headline from a recent Star Tribune article. The article explained the impact our older population will have on us over the next 5, 10, 20 years. In Minnesota alone, 20% of our population is going to be over 65 by the year 2030. While this seems like a long time in the future, it's only about 20 years away. What are we doing to prepare for this "aging tsunami" that's headed in our direction?
At Home Solutions is gearing up to be here long term by hiring the best Caregivers possible, making sure our programs and services align most closely with our client's needs, continuing to develop strategic partnerships, and holding firm and true to our mission of providing exceptional service for everyone. This will ensure that our long term vision for the company has the highest level of kindness, integrity and professionalism possible.
We appreciate your support as we continue to move forward. Please keep us in mind if you know of an older loved one who may need some Caregiver services or assistance with their physical environment to stay safely at home long term.
In gratitude,
Kristin Kopp
President / Founder
At Home Solutions, LLC
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead - |
Tips for Selling Your Home
in a Tight Market
A message from: Terri Darsow Realtor (55+) Advisor, RSA
Sometimes seniors find it hard to sell their home and move to the next phase of their life. To make a move easier it's helpful if seniors can mentally picture themselves in their new lifestyle setting and to embrace their next life adventure. From a real estate point of view I find that if a house is in good condition and is priced right it'll sell.
Some tips to think about when selling your home is to stage it for the buyer, adding new fixtures (faucets and lighting) can take 20 years off the age of the home, paint is the most affordable way to transform a room, find a focus point in a room and enhance it, storage areas (cupboards, kitchen drawers, closets, etc) should be no more than half full, remove personal photos, cleanliness is very important, organization is appealing and look at your home as a product to sell.
Some outside tips are to add a splash of color with flowers, keep trees and shrubs in the right scale to the size of the house, eliminate brown spots in the lawn, illuminate the house with outside lighting, add the sound of water with a fountain or pond and add decorative items that attract attention. After all your effort is to grab the attention of people driving by so they will want to stop and come inside.
A balanced market is when a house is on the market for 5 months. Right now the short sales/foreclosure properties are on the market for an average of 5 months. The traditional selling homes are on the market for an average of 9 months. Basically the sale of the home comes down to 3 items; the price, the condition and the seller's motivation. The price ideally should be at least 5% below comparable solds. The condition of the house should be pristine. The seller should be open to paying some of the buyer's closing costs. Currently it's a tough market to sell in, but by being aware of the above suggestions it should help in making your transition a smoother one.
Terri J. Darsow, RSA
Realtor Senior (55+) Advisor, RSA
Edina Realty Champlin Park Office
Direct: 763.569.5691
Fax: 763.569.5700
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Upcoming Events
There are several upcoming events in the Greater Twin Cities Area that may be of interest to you.
July 17 - 28, 2009
2009 Aquatennial Senior Events
Wednesday, July 14 10:45am
Meet the Candidates Luncheon
The Kenwood Retirement Community
825 Summit Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-374-8500
Friday, July 17 - 10:30 am
Bowling Tournament
Memory Lane
2520 26th Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
612-721-6211
Tuesday, July 21 - 1:00 - 4:00pm
Ballroom Dance
Zuhrah Shrine Center
2540 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-871-3555
Thursday, July 21 - 10:00am
500 Card Tournament
Zuhrah Shrine Center
2540 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-871-3555
Friday, July 24 - 11:00am
Senior Coronation Luncheon
Zuhrah Shrine Center
2540 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-871-3555
For more information about any of these Aquatennial events please call 763-557-0627 or 763-557-0627
July 27, 2009 11:00am
7th Annual Parkinson's Association of Minnesota Golf Tournament Minnesota Valley Country Club
Parkinson's Association of Minnesota
2205 Zealand Ave North
Golden Valley, MN 55427
763-545-1272
August 13, 2009 12:00 - 1:00pm
MS Society: On the Move Luncheon
The Depot
225 Third Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-375-1700
This years keynote speaker is Kevin Kling, a playwright and storyteller.
MS Society
200 12th Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55415
August 4, 2009 5:30 - 7:30pm
Suddenly in Charge of a Loved One What do you need to know to prevent a crisis when caring for a loved one? A panel of experts will offer information on elder care management, in-home & community based services, legal needs, funeral pre-planning and housing options.
Join Joyce Konczyk, Social Worker and Geriatric Care Manager, Kristin Kopp, CSA and Owner of At Home Solutions, Terrie Lewis, Elder Law Attorney, Jeanne McGill, Certified Pre-Planning Consultant, and Joy Hansen, owner of Aging Joyfully, for the latest information on caring for your loved one.
Edina Public Library
5280 Grandview Square
Edina, MN 55436
952-847-5425
September 11 - 13, 2009
MS Society Challenge Walk
MS Society
200 12th Ave South
612-335-7900 www.nationalmssociety.org/MNM
September 15, 2009
Edina Community Education
Suddenly in Charge of a Loved One
What do you need to know to prevent a crisis when caring for a loved one? A panel of experts will offer information on elder care management, in-home & community based services, legal needs, funeral pre-planning and housing options.
Join Joyce Konczyk, Social Worker and Geriatric Care Manager, Kristin Kopp, CSA and Owner of At Home Solutions, Terrie Lewis, Elder Law Attorney, Jeanne McGill, Certified Pre-Planning Consultant, and Joy Hansen, owner of Aging Joyfully, for the latest information on caring for your loved one.
Edina Community Education
5701 Normandale Road
Edina, MN 55424
952-848-3947
September 18, 2009
TimeSlips Creative Storytelling Project Training Workshop with Anne D. Basting, PhD.
Lyngblomsten
1415 Almond Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-227-7414
www.timeslips.org
September 26, 2009
Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk
Three Rivers Park District - Hyland Lake Park Reserve
10145 East Bush Lake Road
Bloomington, MN 55438
763-694-7687
www.alz.org/mnnd/
For more information on any of these events, please call At Home Solutions at 952.292.5801
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Featured Caregiver: Liza B.
Liza has been with At Home Solutions, LLC since September of 2008. She works with several older adults in the Twin Cities area. When asked why she enjoys working with them, Liza replied, "I feel like I have been put on this earth to help people. Many seniors have weeded through the things in life that aren't that important, and they have become more aware of things that are important. I like interacting with them on that level." When Liza is not working she enjoys spending her free time with her two kids and her husband.
Thank you Liza for all of your hard work and dedication to At Home Solutions and for helping the Twin Cities' Seniors maintain their dignity and independence! | |
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What's New at AHS?
- New Additions to the AHS Team
At Home Solutions is excited to welcome new caregivers to the AHS team.
Since our last news letter nine new caregivers have joined the AHS team, Nancy, Margie, John, Courtney, Beth, Caitlin, Michelle, Erica, and Kat. We are very excited to welcome all of our new caregivers!
At Home Solutions Presents!
Kristin Kopp, President/Founder of AHS has been presenting around the Twin Cities at various churches, organizations, and community education opportunities. Here is a list of some of the presentation topics:
* Home Care services
* Community Based Services
* How to find, pay and screen for home/community based services
* Transportation questions
* Alternate Housing search - guides and differences between all that are available
* Hospice - what to expect and how to pay for it
* Dementia - 10 types and how they are diagnosed
* Moving - how to prepare your parents for it - downsizing, decluttering, etc.
* What paperwork is needed as we age to ensure we are prepared legally
* When to start looking for help for an older loved one
* How to care and find support services for the primary caregiver in the family
* What modifications are needed to keep our homes safe as we age
If you are interested in having At Home Solutions present a topic at your church, group, community education or organization please contact us:
952-292-5801
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At Home Solutions, LLC is a locally owned and operated company that provides caregivers to older adults and adults with diabilities in the Twin Cities area. We are registered, insured, bonded, and provide high quality non-medical in home care to help individuals maintain their independence.
We provide services such as, but not limited to, incidental transportation, meal preparation, companionship, light cleaning, errands, organizing, medication reminders, and laundry assistance. We provide caregiver services 7 days a week, 2-24 hours a day, throughout the entire Twin Cities area. Call us today for a free, no obligation, in home consultation.
Sincerely,
At Home Solutions Staff
Kristin, Heather, and Andrea |
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