Senior Care Concepts Fills an Unmet Need
The Jewish Voice & Herald
June 24, 2011
by By Tori Hitchiner
EAST GREENWICH – A love of family led Jenny Miller to create a business helping other people’s families.
Miller, who started her geriatric care management business – Senior Care Concepts – in 2006, was driven by passion to help the aging population and their relatives.
“My grandmother was my inspiration, said Miller. “She taught me that you have to care for your elders, so we lived that.” Caring for her grandparents, she said, gave her the ability to empathize with her clients. “I’ve been there, and I understand. I know what they’re going through.”
Miller, who holds a master’s degree of social work and gerontology from Boston University, has worked in the elder care field for more than 15 years. She started her own business after noticing that the elderly were not receiving enough options or flexibility for their care and assistance. “I want to give seniors a lot of choices, and saw that there weren’t many out there,” she said.
Growing up with parents and grandparents who were business owners, the Rhode Island native said, “I saw [their] hard work and dedication.”
She and her associates work directly with those who need the services, as well as their family members and care givers. There is no pre-set program for assistance; everything is individualized and tailored to the person who needs it. Miller provides long-term health care planning and helping people find ways to meet their day-to-day needs. “We connect seniors to their needs,” she said, while working to alleviate feelings of stress and overload that are frequent for many seniors or their family members.
She attributes Senior Care Concepts’ strength to her client-centric focus. “It’s understanding the individual you’re working with; if we succeed, it’s because we listened,” Miller said.
Her peers have recognized Miller’s hard work as well: On June 22, she received the 2011 Social Worker of the Year in Aging Award by the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
“I go to bed feeling satisfied and happy with my day. I like the work that I’m doing.”
For those considering starting a business, she said, “If you want to do it, do it. If you have passion, a vision and support, you can do anything.”
