The Fourth Quarter

Everyone will agree that the current system for taking care of our enormous cohort of aging Boomers is inadequate. It’s especially insufficient on the low end and the high end. The low end has no money for long term care and is no longer being taken care of by nearby family, and the educated and affluent retired have no wish to trade their independence for being left to die in a safe space.

As a psychologist specializing in geriatric care, Jon Siegel saw a lot of this issue in his private practice, and he decided to do something about it. A decade ago, he started The Perfect Companion, Inc, a concierge service that matches caregivers to real human needs. After all, it’s not only about fall prevention; it’s about quality of life in the fourth quarter that most closely matches what you had before.

Here’s a thought experiment. Let’s suppose you were a fabulously successful entrepreneur and you retired to a waterfront estate at age 65. The last 20 years have been wonderful, traveling the world, piloting your own plane, and having the fun you worked for. But recently things seem to be getting a little bit more difficult. Your memory is not as good as it was and your arthritis stops you from walking the way you used to. Your wife, who is your age, has the beginnings of dementia.

It’s much harder to get out than it used to be and even carrying groceries seems like more of a choice than you are up for. Maybe it IS time to move to a senior living place. Your kids have been saying that for two years. You’ve looked at some of the nicer…