CHUBBUCK — Jason Atkinson is one of only two people in Eastern Idaho who can refer to themselves as a senior care advisor.

     He started up a free service called Care Patrol after having a traumatic experience of his own.

    “I received a telephone call informing me that my father’s leg was broken and that he would not be able to return home,” Atkinson said. “The social worker went on to say I had 48 hours to find a place for him to stay and handed me a list.”

    He continued: “I felt like I was all on my own and thought, ‘There’s got to be a better way to do this.’”

    The Gate City native ended up taking time off from work to research which facility would be the best fit for his father.

    Three years later, he stumbled upon a franchise called Care Patrol. It has been in existence for a total of 13 years now.

    Atkinson branched out on his own as the owner of Care Patrol approximately one year ago.

    “It is a franchise, but I am the owner. It’s the first one to be established here in Idaho,” Atkinson explained. “Our services are all free. I get paid through referral fees, but I have no loyalties, per say, I just want to find the best fit.”

    In order to hold the title of senior care advisor, Atkinson completed an 8-month course.

    “This is not just a job to me,” Atkinson said. “People have come to me in tears and by the time they leave, they are relieved. That’s why I’m doing this.”

    The man narrows down the choice to 3-4 facilities, picks the individual up and then takes them on tours accordingly.

    “I help them ask questions they should be asking such as what is the care to  staff ratio. I’m also looking for personality matches,” Atkinson added. “We take our time, there is no rush.”

    Atkinson’s coverage area includes all towns along the Interstate-15 corridor from Utah to the Montana border.

    Other client considerations include Medicare and Medicaid, financial long-term planning, veteran program qualifications and memory loss challenges. He also checks  for facility citations and violations, care history and looks for high staff turnover rates.

    “I can also help direct people as to who might be able to come into their homes to help out,” Atkinson said. “Many times individuals want to stay in their home for as long as they can.”

    Atkinson’s clients’ needs will also be reassessed whenever their care level changes.

    Immediate signs for family members to look for when considering a nursing home or assisted living move include: Those who keep wandering away from home, who make frequent mistakes with regards to their medication, who are not eating properly, who are in an unsafe or unclean environment, who practice unsafe behavior, such as leaving the stove on, who are being abused by a spouse or caregiver, who have a need for nighttime supervision and who have an increase in falls.

    “I used to work in sales to help build businesses up,” Atkinson concluded. “I have taken everything I learned from working in that industry and applied it to my own business. I love this community and the people I work with.”

    For more information dial (208) 237-3575 or visit www.carepatrol.com.