Today we’d like to introduce you to Candy Cohn.
Candy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Originally from Philadelphia, I’ve lived in Florida since 1985. After living in Martin County, 22 years, I moved to Delray Beach in 2007. I’ve been in healthcare marketing most of my adult life, including working in community relations at Martin Memorial Hospital in Stuart, FL; writing for “Psychotherapy Finances;” working as Marketing Director for Flexsite Diagnostics; and doing community relations at the Visiting Nurse Association of Florida.
In 2012, my father became ill, and I realized that my parents, who were living at a 55+ community in Delray Beach, needed to move to assisted living. Because of my background, I knew someone who was doing Long Term Care Medicaid applications, and she referred me to a Senior Placement Advisor to help us. After we got through the whole process of moving my parents, as well as applying for Long Term Care Medicaid and VA benefits, I talked to that advisor to see if he needed help with his marketing.
When we met to discuss this, he said, “Actually, I’m looking to bring someone in to do senior placement with me. If you’re interested I could train you to do it.” Understanding the complexity and emotional challenges involved in this transition I was quite intrigued, and thus, began my new career! I have since dedicated myself to serving others who needed to make these life changes.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Once I began working for the Senior Placement Advisor, I dove right in, getting involved in networking groups including Elder Services Resource Network, Partnership for Aging, a couple Chambers of Commerce, and volunteer efforts including the Broward and Boca Walks to End Alzheimer’s, and the Arthritis Foundation.
My business took off, but it was often challenging convincing reluctant seniors that it was time to move. It’s difficult for people to let go of their houses and belongings. Also, many have a terrible fear of making that final move. They feel like they are losing independence, even though there’s a great deal of autonomy in many communities.
The biggest challenge for me, though, was when my father passed away about two years after moving into assisted living. I was quite emotionally distraught and needed to take some time off. During that time, I was still getting referrals, and I sent them directly to the owner of the senior placement company.
During that time I discovered his true colors as he denied ever getting these referrals, let alone paying me for them. When I got through that rough period, I re-emerged and began doing marketing for a home health company. Shortly thereafter I started working with Michael Brodie Senior Placement, who has a wonderful reputation. I was with that company until I purchased the South Florida territory of a senior placement franchise, Oasis Senior Advisors in July 2017.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Oasis Senior Advisors South Florida provides a free service offering expertise to guide seniors and their families through the maze of senior living options in Broward and Palm Beach County.
We have affiliates we can refer to in Miami/Dade as well. When the opportunity arose to purchase the South Florida franchise I learned about the proprietary OasisIQ™ software, which is a cutting-edge system that matches seniors to the most appropriate communities. I immediately recognized that this powerful tool, along with the Oasis corporate support for best practices nationwide, would allow me to help my clients in a much more effective manner.
I provide a personal one-on-one approach, meeting with seniors and sometimes their adult children in their home, hospital, rehab, or wherever they are at the time. I talk to the senior and their family members to identify lifestyle preferences and health care needs, as well as location and financial considerations.
Next, I schedule tours at several communities, accompanying the senior and even driving them if they so desire. I become their advocate, assisting throughout the entire process, unlike web-based or printed directory services, who merely send clients’ names and contact information out to many communities regardless of the fit. Oasis Senior Advisors is specialized in educating and informing seniors and their family members on the distinctions and options pertaining to assisted living communities, Alzheimer’s care, retirement communities, skilled nursing homes, residential nursing homes, respite services, hospice and dementia care.
Because Oasis Senior Advisors demands the highest quality of their franchise owners, I recently became a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). As a CSA, I must follow a set of core principles that guide every interaction I have with customers, families, and communities. These include promoting the dignity of senior placement service by protecting the confidentiality of clients; conducting myself ethically and lawfully; acting honestly and impartially and offering unbiased placement options; and using my knowledge, skills, and resources for the enhancement of the lives of seniors and families.
What were you like growing up?
I’d say I was always a compassionate soul. In fact, I can still remember my mother frequently telling me I was too sensitive! I failed to understand how that was a bad thing, and I’m glad to be in a helping profession now. I feel like I have found my calling in life. I’ve also always been a creative soul. I took ballet and modern dance lessons since age 5, started to paint and draw at a young age, studied acting in New York City in between years at college, and I was a freelance writer for many years.
My father was very athletic and in my early teens, he helped get me started doing gymnastics, which was my entree into a life of being very active. He also introduced us to playing tennis and snow skiing, for which I am ever so grateful. In high school, I started jogging to get in better shape and lose some weight, and I’ve continued exercising regularly ever since. At this point in my life, I enjoy cycling, playing tennis, snow skiing, doing Pilates and more. In addition, I love hiking, walking on the beach, and being anywhere in nature.
I think my mother would agree that I was fairly shy as a child. I’m happy to say I’ve truly come into my own, and I’m not only quite comfortable in social situations, but I thrive in them. This lends very well to my career, as I network a good amount, and I’m quite involved in volunteering in the community as well. I think I’ve always been spiritual in nature, and I’m happy to say that at this point I’m quite intentional in making this a part of my life. In dealing with seniors and end of life, I find this to be a key component in trying to make sense of what life is all about.
Pricing:
- FREE SERVICE
Contact Info:
- Address: 260 W. Camino Real, #156 Boca Raton, FL 33432
- Website: http://southflorida.oasissenioradvisors.com
- Phone: 954-540-2595
- Email: ccohn@youroasisadvisor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candycohn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OasisSouthFlorida
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/candycohn
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candycohn
Image Credit:
Elder Services Resource Network
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