A startling statistic is that the average woman spends 17 years caring for her dependent children and another 18 years caring for her elderly parents!

The fastest growing segment of our society, the frail elderly, is now over 85 years old. Although they are living longer, they need assistance with daily activities to get through the day. This assistance inevitably comes from family members. Concerns about a parent living alone safely, coordinating in-home care, arranging doctor appointments, and transportation, handling housekeeping and laundry, hiring trained and reliable help, and providing stimulation activities can become a full time job.

Sharon J. Miles founder & operator of Senior Care Options in Albuquerque, New Mexico; helps seniors live at home as independently as possible. She has spent 10 years working with the elderly and their families first exploring options that allow living at home. Ms. Miles was awarded the Professional Geriatric Care Manager Designation from the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. She earned a masters’ degree in social work from NM Highlands University with an emphasis on gerontology. Through Senior Care Options, Ms. Miles has linked hundreds of seniors with financial, home-care, legal and medical services and provided counseling, support and education to families in crisis.