About the SeniorAdvisor.com 2014 In-Home Innovation Scholarship: We started the scholarship program to bring awareness of the unique benefits and challenges of in-home caregiving for seniors to younger generations. The questions posed by the scholarship encouraged our nation’s future caregivers to present solutions for improving home care in the United States. College-aged students were required to answer one of the three essay topics below and provide a short bio as part of their scholarship application. Read the winning essays here.

How can your major of study improve the lives of seniors receiving in-home care services?

Essay response by Leslie Woodland

In-home care seniors deserve the best possible care they can receive. In-home care agencies serve many different types of seniors. Some seniors maybe mildly handicapped or may need minor assistance. Agencies strive towards specified care for all seniors. When senior receive specific care, agencies enhance their quality of life. Special care procedures also help build a name and brand for an agency. Business Administration majors with accounting minors can bring many important assets to the table when it comes to quality care of in-home care seniors.

Currently, I am pursuing Business Administration with Accounting at Washington State University Vancouver. Business Administration majors have a versatile array of skill-sets. Business Administration majors focus on leadership, training, progressing and furthering an agency to their highest potential. Every team needs a leader and a strong voice including all aspects of importance. Strong leaders are able to empower employees and care providers through encouragement and knowledge. In-home care seniors could strongly benefit from well trained professionals and receiving quality care. Business majors also have training on marketing. Marketing is extremely important this day in age especially since we are a very commercialized society. Branding and name recognition is crucial when customers are making their decisions on where to spend their hard earned money. Business majors know how to reach a specific target market and strategies to create brand loyalty. With a reputable image many individuals will speak highly of an agency and recommend them to their friends and family. These skills and benefits are invaluable.

Knowledge in accounting is a crucial skillset in life. Accountants can help reduce costs for both the agencies as well as for the in-home care seniors. Accountants are able to see the cost benefits of specific aspects of care and able to compile an organized, logical budget that suits both the seniors and the agencies. Agencies are able to offer services for lower budgets when they are making a substantial amount of profit. This strategy will allow the agency to grow as well as the seniors receiving in-home care. Agencies working to provide care for in-home seniors work from the heart. It takes a lot of patience and compassion to work with people who need assistance. In-home caregivers deserve high respect.

It is crucial that we ensure the future of in-home care agencies. This makes earning maximum profits a priority within the company. As agencies make higher profits, they are able to offer higher wages to caregivers and more benefits. They may also be able to take courses that teach skills that benefit both the provider and in-home care seniors. Strategies used to maximize profits will help empower in-home caregivers, boost their morale and reflect the company positively. Accountants are also skilled on which activities and services can be exempt, write offs, staffing, operational costs, supplies, maintenance and managerial costing. Overall, in- home care patients and Business Administration with Accounting majors are compliments. Both agencies and in-home care patients can benefit from leadership positions with experience in Business Administration.

About Leslie

Leslie is working on finishing a four year degree at Washington State University Vancouver.

SeniorAdvisor.com Staff

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