“It’s No Longer Safe for Your Mother to Live on Her Own.”
When I heard those words, my life immediately changed. My career path took a sharp turn. I came face to face with life altering decisions and I realized I needed help.
My name is Deborah Bakalich, a local Maryland resident.
I graduated from two local universities both Towson University and Stevenson. I spent 28 years in sales and project management and learned early that personal commitment and exceeding customer expectations is the key to success in any endeavor I undertake.
My career path took on a new direction when I became the primary caretaker responsible for making decisions about my mother. I quickly realized that I needed information, guidance, support and advocacy and there was nowhere to turn. There was no one person, or organization to go to that could navigate you through all the steps, discuss your options, short and long-term care needs, financial costs and alternative living arrangements. You feel overwhelmed and powerless, especially if you are told by the hospital or rehab that you have 48-72 hours to make a decision. Panic hits, plans get cancelled, jobs are often impacted and time stops as everyone feels lost in an unfamiliar territory and care system.
Maybe you know the feeling. Maybe you are there now. It happens far too often.
Because of my personal experience, I decided to become a Certified Senior Advisor®. I took the training very seriously as it is very personal to me. I launched Senior Care Lifestyles as a company in 2014 in an attempt to minimize the pain and frustration that other families may face. I have succeeded in placing many clients into communities throughout Maryland sometimes on very short notice and often in the midst of emergency or crisis to the complete satisfaction and grateful appreciation of my clients.
Senior Care Lifestyles is local, so we are hands-on and personally meet each family to guide them through the maze of options available, costs, schedule tours and join the family on visits of communities that meet the senior’s needs. We stay with the family every step of the way until a decision is made, and the senior is safely moved into their new home, and everyone can breathe again.
I also provide advocacy services to seniors with families out of town needing someone local when they cannot be here themselves. I love to provide guidance and recommendations to local, reputable resources for help with moving, real estate sales, home organization, Eldercare attorney’s, government assistance programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefit, and Maryland housing subsidies as well as in-home health care options and experts to modify the home for safety. My goal is to be a single point of reference and support for seniors and their families. If I do my job right my reward at the end of the day is a hug and a teary eye thank you!
Call me or send an email, I am here to help.
Sincerely,
Deborah Bakalich, Owner, Certified Senior Advisor®
410-977-3718