Founder of local resource center helps seniors find perfect home
Nancy Raske has turned herself into a one-stop referral service for seniors and their family members.
She didn't know it at the time, but she started on that path in April 1989, when her mom who lived in King City had a massive stroke.
"That day changed my life," Raske said. "I did all my own research. I made phone calls. I took time off work. I was raising my son at the time and had to find the appropriate services for my mom.
"It was truly the good, the bad and the ugly. It was a turning point for me."
Raske's work background also contributed to her starting NW Senior Resources.
For nine years, she worked at Christ Episcopal Church in Lake Oswego, where she lives, as the parish administrator working with seniors.
"I was always the resource connector," Raske said. "And I wanted to get first-hand experience."
Farmington Square Centers then hired Raske to work in admissions and marketing. She also worked at other places before being hired as the assistant administrator when the Oswego Place retirement center opened 1½ years ago.
A year ago, Raske opened her own business, which primarily offers adult placement and referral services, "but I do more than just find appropriate housing," Raske said.
"I do a thorough analysis and can help with downsizing, moving, connecting with various specialists, setting up estate sales and lining up in-home care. I can also arrange for personal services such as in-home foot care."
However, Raske is quick to point out that placement and referrals are only the first half of her job.
"Once the person is settled, I visit," she said. "I make unannounced visits to all sorts of places. I'm a 'senior shopper.' I have a core group of people I use - because I get recognized - to see how far they can get into a facility.
"I need to know about the security and what the front office does. What questions are they asked? What is the interaction between the staff and clients? And I do periodic visits throughout the year to make sure they're doing OK. I don't just place them and leave."
Raske said that she should have been called much earlier in many situations.
"I should have been involved from several months to a year earlier," she said. "If it's a case of an elderly couple, one often helps and protects the other. Or the kids don't think the situation is that bad."
Raske doesn't rely solely on her own judgment. She works with nurse/geriatric case managers who "do all kinds of testing."
She added, "I accompany the seniors to the tests and reviews. Sometimes it's an issue of conflicting medications."
Raske also works with gerontologists, psychologists and other experts in various fields.
"Lots of conflict resolution is needed," she said. "I have some great elder-law attorneys. And I can ask the hard questions that maybe family members feel they can't ask or they don't even think of."
Raske belongs to several organizations such as the Oregon Gerontology Association and the Senior Providers Information Networks and has served on their boards.
"When I meet seniors for the first time, if I see red flags, I tell the children," she said. "I tour places to see which place will best fit the situation. I don't have contracts with places. I provide families with a full range of options.
"Most people tour three places. I take them to as many places as possible. I have a heart for these people. When you meet a family under stress, it's nice to get the situation settled and relieve the stress."
When evaluating facilities, Raske said, "I look for life in a building. I want seniors to be excited and happy. On someone's first day in a new facility, I ask the administrators to ask the other clients to be mentors and help the new resident.
"I tell families, 'We're not buying real estate here.' We want the best-managed companies that hire good caregivers."
Raske usually works with clients from one to six months and doesn't charge upfront for her services.
"I want to make seniors' lives happy," she said. "I help people on Medicaid."
For more information, visit www.nwseniorresourc es.com or contact Raske at nancyraske@msn.com or at 503-680-9407.