In our experience, most families start professional care for an elderly loved one because of an unexpected injury, illness, or medical condition that threates the safety of an independent lifestyle. Yet other factors are frequently overlooked. They are discreet, and often routine for a person of good health. But for seniors they can be an enormous challenge and signal a decline in abilities restricting the quality of their lives.

The passage of time is accompanied by many positives: increased knowledge, greater wisdom, and a more complete perspective on life. Unfortunately, it also has its negatives. Of the most prevalent are declining physical abilities that make daily life a more burdensome task. Though not a joyful experience, recognizing the inevitable effects of age can inspire the right preparation—preparation for future needs that may include long term care.

“Wouldn’t it be less expensive to hire a private caregiver?”

This, a valid question, is one that we are often asked during the initial inquiry phase. Having to pay for the care of a loved one is, at first, a foreign concept and many decision makers unconsciously default to seeking the lowest cost option. But for a service as personal as assisted living, additional factors should be considered.

FootPrints is happy to announce being awarded "Provider of Choice" by Home Care Pulse. 2015 marks our fourth consecutive year on the "Best of Home Care" list, a compilation of exemplary agencies across the United States and Canada. As one of only three from the State of New Mexico, we are proud that our mission to deliver the highest quality care has been recognized by a third party.