- (PROFILE) FL Home Health Company Finds Success With 'Boutique Practice'

As America's baby boomers explore retirement living options, aging-in-place solutions continue to rise in popularity. The growing movement to age at home has positioned home health care to take its place among the nation's fastest growing industries. Home health providers are faced with the challenge of standing out amidst a sea of competitors. Nurse practitioner and geriatric specialist Nicci Kobritz, founder and president of Sarasota, FL-based Youthful Aging Home Health, developed a unique care delivery model that approaches home health as a "boutique" practice.

"Traditional home health care, even though it has evolved, is still a service that does for you what you cannot do for yourself," Kobritz tells HSR. "On the boutique side, we look at what we can do to get you to do things for yourself." Youthful Aging's boutique model approaches home care with a four-point checklist focused on preserving seniors' physical and mental wellness.

1) Stabilizing medical conditions and medication: "We want to make sure your medication and treatment are working for you," says Kobritz. "We look at everything that could contribute to a chronic health condition."

2) Exercise: Youthful Aging assigns each client a physical therapist. "And then we get them working out with a personal trainer," says Kobritz.

3) Brain fitness program: Kobritz's boutique model puts much stock in an aggressive brain fitness program. Youthful Aging employs Wii Nintendo and CogniFit programs, among others, in its Brain Academy. "These are games," notes Kobritz. "They are fun, entertaining, and specially crafted to focus on short-and long-term memory.

4) Socialization: Aging does not equal isolation, per boutique philosophy. "We want to make sure our clients who live at home are engaged in activities they enjoy doing," asserts Kobritz.

Kobritz, a 30-year home health veteran, cites the increasing popularity of aging in place services as a driving force behind the boutique delivery model's success. "People want to age in their homes," she asserts. "That's where they want to be." Kobritz's innovative care model has found its way to the forefront of aging in place education. Youthful Aging, now in its 15^th year, is a training site for Florida State University College of Medicine medical students.

Remaining true to the boutique model's anti-volume philosophy, Youthful Aging interviews clients to determine their level of care. Services range from a few hours a week to 24/7 care with a live-in caregiver. On the average, Youthful Aging's services are 20% higher than traditional home care agencies. You get what you pay for, says Kobritz. "The difference is, our seniors can accomplish what they truly want, which is greater independence for as long as possible."

Youthful Aging this month will double its space and add specialized facilities in a new building. Clients will have access to Youthful Aging's Brain Fitness programs, and an on-site training room will be provided for employees.

Info: Visit Youthful Aging on the Web at: www.youthfulaging.net.

This story was sent to rts941@verizon.net by jcmidero@gmail.com.