business journal february 2012 a section

8/3/2019 Business Journal February 2012 A Section

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Our Commitment to Excellence for 47 Years

Engineering - Design - Construction

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INSIDE

Sidney Electric plans move to Central Point Business ParkBusinessJournalOF WEST CENTRAL OHIO

THE

February 2012

The Regions Business Publication

www.businessjrnl.com

TheBusinessJournal

405N.MainSt.Delphos,OH45833

PRSTDSTD

U.S.Postage

PAID

Lima,OH

PermitNo.286

Lima, Ohio - Sidney ElectricCompany, a regional leader inelectrical contracting for the in-dustrial and commercial markets,today announced the relocationof its Buckeye Road facility. Thebusiness has acquired a new facil-ity, located at 2250 Central Point

Parkway in the Central PointBusiness Park. This new facilitywill accommodate the companyscurrent staff and enable furtherexpansion for the companys fu-ture growth in the Allen and sur-rounding counties area.

The moves stems from SidneyElectric Companys unprecedent-ed growth in the last few years andwill enable the company to betterserve its clients and to provide ad-

ditional space for employees aswell as more equipment storage.

We are excited about the deci-sion to relocate to the new loca-tion, reports Mike Ellett, compa-ny vice president. The buildinghas over 3 times the office andstorage space of our current loca-tion. We will have plenty of roomfor equipment storage and the

new facility allows us to bring ourstaff together in one building, andenable further expansion for thecompanys long-term growth.

Founded in 1953, SidneyElectric Company has been aregional leader in electrical con-tracting services for the Automo-tive, Commercial, Industrial andHealthcare markets, serving WestCentral Ohio and East Central In-diana regions. The company pro-

vides complete electrical design,construction and offers compre-

hensive system maintenance solu-tions. The company has officeslocated in Sidney, Ohio and Mun-cie, Indiana.

The ITSGroup (IntegratedTechnology Services Group),a subsidiary of Sidney ElectricCompany will also be making the

move to the new location.To learn more about the com-

panys electrical contracting ser-vices, please visit www.sidney-electric.com.

1-800-758-030718018 St. Rt. 81

Venedocia, OH 45894

Quite possibly the last buildingyou will ever need.

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VAN WERT, OHIO - The ofce location may bechanging but the specialized care remains the sameat Van Wert County Hospitals Specialty Clinic.

Beginning January 3, 2012, the Specialty Clinic willbe moving to a new ofce location Suite 209 in VanWert Health Center, just across the street from thehospital at 140 Fox Road.

The Specialty Clinics new location will featureadditional ofce space, increased accessibility forboth patient and handicap parking, while still provid-ing access to additional healthcare services. VanWert County Hospital is pleased to continue offeringaccess to specialty care in a convenient, close to homelocation.

We are pleased to offer our community access toan array of quality subspecialists who are a part of

the Specialty Clinic, said Mark Minick, Presidentand CEO of Van Wert County Hospital. This clinicprovides patients from the region with convenient

access to care they previously had to travel outsidethe area to receive.

In the last year we have added six new Physicians

to the Specialty Clinic, which has tripled the volumefrom the previous year. This growth has required usto increase the space of the clinic, which will alsoallow us to attract additional specialties to the com-munity.

Nick Spoonmore, Van Wert Medical ServicesExecutive Director said.

More than 3,000 patients from Van Wert Countyreceive treatment from physicians at Van Wert CountyHospitals Specialty Clinic. Physicians rotate throughthe clinic holding ofce hours throughout the month.

The Specialty Clinic offers specialties such asnephrology, oncology,

neurology, podiatry, orthopedic, neurosurgery andgastroenterology.

Specialty clinic moves to new office location

See CLINIC page 5A


2/12

2A TheBusinessJournal February2012

Understand the client by anticipating and responding to their needs

Provide value-added advice and guidance by analyzing client needsand resolving issues

Provide the broadest range and highest quality of products and services

Develop and maintain long-term relationships by actively listeningto our clients in order to build trust and loyalty

Offer personal and professional service on everything we sell

Through teamwork, leverage our capabilities and resources to fullymeet the needs of our clients

Client Centered

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February2012 TheBusinessJournal 3A

Lima Ofce2250 Central Point Parkway

Lima, Ohio 45804419.222.1109

We are moving to a new location!

Weve outgrown our present location

and can better serve your electrical

and data networking needs from

our new building!

OH LIC #21016www.sidneyelectric.com

Construction is now underway at MercerCounty Community Hospital for the expan-sion of their Cardiopulmonary Rehabilita-tion Center.

The new Center will be located in an areaof the hospital previously utilized by a non-patient care department on the west side of

the main hospital.Nancy Mescher, Cardiopulmonary Ser-vices Director at Mercer Health, says, Thisis a great improvement due to both a triplingof exercise space along with floor to ceil-ing windows lining the entire west wall ofthe Center. The new area is planned to becompleted in late February or early March,2012.

Mescher is very pleased with the changein location. She says, We are excited tohave the opportunity to move such a desir-able area within the hospital. Rehabilitationfor patients with cardiac as well as respira-tory disease is as much emotional as it isphysical, and the additional equipment andimproved surroundings make this a greatspace and a more uplifting environment.

In addition to the change in location, theCardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Depart-ment will feature additional equipment in-cluding commercial grade treadmills as well

as recumbent bikes and steppers. Meschersays, We will also have additional televi-sions that we can use for both educationaland entertainment purposes for our patientswhile they are exercising.

Safety is a major focus of the new area.Mescher explains. We will have a six

channel telemetry system that we can useto monitor vital signs of those patients whorequire monitoring during exercise which isessential to any cardiopulmonary rehabilita-tion center.

To help with the financing of this project,the Medical, Educational and Development(MED) Foundation has begun a fund raisingcampaign. John Hoying, Development Di-rector, states, Our goal is to raise $75,000.This will pay for new equipment being pur-chased in the expansion.

Persons wishing to make a contribu-tion can contact Hoying at 419-678-5679.Contributions can also be made through thehospital website by going to www.mercer-health.com and clicking on the MED Foun-dation icon.

The Mercer Health CardiopulmonaryProgram was the first in the area to receivenational certification. They provide a phasedprogram to improve the quality of life forthose with heart and respiratory disease.

New Rehab Unit at Mercer Hospital

BusinessJournal

THE

ofWestCentralOhioVolume21,No.2

PublisherDonaldR.HempleContributingWritersJeffreyGitomer

AdvertisingDonaldR.HempleTheBusinessJournalismailedtothetopbusinessleadersinthe11-countyregionofWestCentralOhio.Althoughinfor-

mationisgatheredfromsourcesconsideredtobereliable,theaccuracyandcompletenessoftheinformationcannotbeguaranteed.InformationexpressedinTheBusinessJournaldoesnotconstituteasolicitationforthepurchaseorsaleofanyproducts.

Copyright,TheBusinessJournalofWestCentralOhio,2006,Allrightsreserved.Reproductionoruse,withoutwrittenper-missionofeditorial,photographicorothergraphiccontentinanymannerisprohibited.TheBusinessJournalispublishedmonthlyat405N.MainSt.,Delphos,OH45833

ContactUsTelephone 419-999-4762DonHemple 419-695-0015 ext. 138MarilynHoffman 419-695-0015ext.131StacyPrine 419-695-0015 ext. 129 tol l fr ee 800-589-6950

Mail405N.MainSt.,Delphos,OH45833-1598Forinformationconcerningnews,advertisingandsubscriptione-mailusat:[email protected]@delphosherald.com

www.businessjrnl.com

Custom Robotics / Automated Machine Builder

This custom automated machine builder has grown sales and profits in each of the last three years. The company is located in the Midwest and utilizes the latest machine vision and robotics technology.

Customers represent a wide spectrum of applications including, industrial, consumer, medical, constructionand automotive. The company has produced hundreds of specialized automated machines for ceramics,powdered metal, injection mold loading and unloading, automated screw systems, precision assembly,stand alone assembly stations, robotic assembly and vision cells. Customers can be provided with fullsystem integration, documentation, support.

The facility is a modern and clean factory with state of the art machines.Ten to fifteen employees, most with significant longevity. It is a non union shop. The job log is between25 and 30 weeks out.

The current owner sees tremendous growth opportunities for a buyer possessing fresh entrepreneurialenergy.

Detailed Prospectus available for review by financially qualified [email protected]

Grover Rutter CPA/ABV, CVA, BVAL

Mergers, Acquisitions, and ValuationsPhone: 866-825-8283 419-427-1564

Fax: 419-427-1564

For Additional Listings & Helpful Information, go to www.gruttercpas.com.

Grover Rutter R/E agent for Phil Cole Real Estate and Auctions LLC

2011 2010 2009 2008

Revenues $3,710,532 $2,604,645 $1,335,380 $1,169,334

EBITDA $1,096,115 $567,372 $78,659 $34,476


4/124A TheBusinessJournal February2012

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From The Better Business Bureau...By Neil Winget, President BBB

One of the continuing schemes that frequently targetsbusinesses, both large and small, is the phony order scam.

It seems ok at first, but as the details unfold, it gets moreand more complicated and suspicious. Often by the time thebusiness becomes aware, its too late to recoup losses.

I am going to include in this column, some of the exactwording of a typical email order scam. Hopefully, this willhelp you recognize one of these scams when its received.

This email was sent to a company in our region recent-ly:

Thanks for getting back to me, I need exterior painting,interior painting on the house and its 3 bedroom 2 bath Du-plex in the city, but now I have a problem because I haventmake the full payment for the agent fees and will like toknow if you accept credit card I want you to assist me and

with the help of this and am still owing the agent of thehouse $2500 so I need to pay this before the keys and ad-dress to the house will be available for you to start the esti-mations for exterior painting, interior paintingActually Iam at the hospital right now, and will undergo a surgery insome days time due to my hearing impaired that is why I

want your to assist me with this.Well, I think you get the idea. The wording is strange,

done by someone obviously not familiar with AmericanEnglish.

The email goes on to say that the company is to charge aprovided credit card for $3500 and that $2500 is to be sent tohis agent for the house deposit. Of course, the credit cardis stolen and the agent is the perpetrator. These thingsalways involve some unusual money exchange that is neverused in the normal course of business. Beware!

Sales Service Leasing

880000--335544--77994466

I-75 & SR 65, Lima

www.ssvolvo.com

Miller PrecisionIndustries, Inc.131 Progressive Dr. P.O. Box 489

Ottoville, Ohio 45876CNC Precision Machining

Small & Large Production RunsFixtures Special Machinery & Tooling

Secondary Machine Operations

Phone 419-453-3251 FAX 419-453-3030


5/12February2012 TheBusinessJournal 5A

Dr. Chad AsherNephrologyDr. Marlene Bultemeyer NeurologyDr. Isa CanavatiNeurosurgeryDr. Jeff KachmannNeurosurgeryDr. Rudy KachmannNeurosurgeryDr. James KemmlerOrthopedicDr. Robert NeidichGastroenterologyDr. Alison Niemeyer PodiatryDr. Osei-Tutu OwusuOncologyDr. Thomas PintarNephrologyDr. Shawn WardPodiatry

The Specialty Clinics phone numbers and ofce hours will remain the same: Mondaythrough Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The physicians and staff appreciate the oppor-tunity to care for the Van Wert community.

About Van Wert County Hospitals Specialty ClinicThe Specialty Clinic is a part of Van Wert County Hospital. As the only facility of its

kind in the area, the Specialty Clinic is dedicated to offering a broad range of health carespecialties in a convenient location. Medical specialties include nephrology, oncology, neu-rology, podiatry, orthopedic, neurosurgery and gastroenterology. To learn more about VanWert Hospital Specialty Clinic, visit www.vanwerthospital.org or call (419) 238-8621.

Clinic (Continued from page 1A)

Municipal income tax and governmentregulation identified as key areas for reform

(COLUMBUS, January 16, 2012) Accordingto a new multi-state survey, CPAs in Ohio andsurrounding states are slightly more optimisticabout business growth in their respective statesfor 2012 than the nation as a whole. Those polledwere most confident about their own industriesand companies with more Ohio CPAs expect-ing marginal or substantial revenue growth thanCPAs in neighboring states.

The Business Outlook Poll was conducted forThe Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA) and state CPA organizationsin Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania by TheUniversity of Toledo Urban Affairs Center inlate in 2011. It polled nearly 13,000 CPAs whoare partners or sole owners of public accountingfirms or serve as CEOs, CFOs or presidents ofcompanies in various industries. More than 2,100CPAs completed the survey.

Information technology tops the list of capi-tal investments planned in 2012. Survey respon-

dents also anticipate some new hiring in the next12 months. Health care costs continue to be a topconcern of businesses along with governmentregulation and uncertainty in the tax laws.

The poll shows businesses in Ohio and sur-rounding states are experiencing slow but consis-tent growth despite daunting economic and busi-ness challenges, said James D. Gottfried, CPA,Chair of The Ohio Society of CPAs. These in-clude increasing costs for regulatory compliance,rising health care costs and a complicated taxstructure in Ohio and nationally.

Cautious Optimism - Jobs and SpendingOnly 6 percent of CPAs who responded pre-

dict robust growth in the U.S., but the numbersclimb as they evaluated the growth outlook fortheir own state (9 percent overall), industry (20percent), and organization (26 percent).

The CPAs surveyed did not report significantdecreases in workforce or revenues since thefinancial crises took hold, and say they expectboth areas to increase marginally in the next year.These CPA business leaders expect marginal (53percent) or substantial (7 percent) revenue growthin the next year, with marginal (32 percent) andsubstantial (2 percent) growth in employment.Less than 10 percent of respondents expect a re-duction in employment.

In Ohio, 62 percent of Ohio CPAs expectmarginal (55 percent) or substantial (7 percent)revenue increases this year in their own organiza-tions and marginal (33 percent) or substantial (2percent) increases in employment.

When discussing their investment and spend-ing plans over the next year, nearly 42 percent of

Ohio CPAs plan marginal or substantial increasesin capital spending this year, versus 40 percentin the four states combined. Information technol-ogy is a top priority, with 62 percent of CPAs inOhio and 60 percent overall planning to spendmarginally or substantially more in 2012. Prod-uct development and marketing/advertising willremain relatively flat with more than 50 percentof CPAs responding citing no change in eithercategory.

Business and State ConcernsCPAs and their clients listed the ability to

obtain funding as a significant area of concern,with 78 percent in Ohio and 76 percent overallagreeing small businesses do not have access toadequate credit to grow or sustain their opera-tions. The financial crisis and forecasts for slowgrowth have resulted in a tighter lending marketthat continues to affect small businesses.

CPAs also cite health care costs as a concern,with 98 percent of those surveyed responding af-firmatively when asked if the cost of health carebenefits was a worry for businesses in their state.Some are looking into this area for savings, with94 percent agreeing that companies are reevalu-ating employee/benefit costs, while 63 percentof respondents acknowledge that companies aredropping or reducing employee health insurancecoverage. Labor costs, workers compensation,

and public pension funding were also seen askey concerns in all states, with public pensionexposure taking the highest percentage amongthe three.

In Ohio, nearly 76 percent of CPAs agreedthat state pension funding is problematic. It wasidentified in OSCPAs 2009 Ohio Budget Advi-sory Task Force Report as an area for reform thatcould positively impact the states budget andcontinues to be an area of concern.

Taxes and Government RegulationMore than half of the respondents (61 per-

cent) agreed that companies are taking advantageof available tax breaks, but few were using cur-rent low-interest rates as an opportunity to grow.Despite a general attitude that taxes, including

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Ohio CPAs optimistic about Ohio business growth in 2012

See CPAs, page 11A


6/126A TheBusinessJournal February2012


7/12


Office Automation

When considering office automation three main areasneed further discussion: people, and how automation affectsthem; the constantly changing tools used in automation; andthe ways in which automation has changed the workplace.

People involved with office automation basically includeall users of the automation and all providers of the automa-tion systems and tools. A wide range of peopleincludingsoftware and hardware engineers, management informationscientists, and secretariesuse office automation. All arealso involved with providing information. This dual roleof both provider and user gives rise to two critical issues.First, training of personnel to effectively use an office au-tomation system is essential; the office automation systemis only as good as the people who make and use it. Second,overcoming workplace resistance is a must if the full ben-efits of automation are to be realized. Change is difficultfor some workers, yet must occur for a business to remaincompetitive.

Practical tools for office automation include computerhardware and software currently available in a number ofmodels, applications, and configurations. Two basic mi-crocomputer platforms are DOS (Disk Operating System)-compatible computers and Apple Macintosh systems. Ap-plications such as word processing, database management,and spreadsheets are common and constantly changing.

Standards are increasing but still not yet completely inte-grated into all aspects of office automation. Office automa-tion tools may stand alone (without access to informationat other computers) or be networked (with such access).Configuring complex office systems to share informationis difficult and involves a considerable staff commitment.Popular local area network software includes Novell Net-Ware and Lantastic.

Practical workplace issues of office automation often in-volve the budget and physical considerations involved withcreating, exchanging, and managing information. Equip-ment, rewiring, training, security, and data entry all costmoney and require space. Newly recognized medical prob-lems such as repetitive motion syndrome are a significantissue for some people using office automation systems. Re-petitive motion syndrome is a medical disorder associatedwith lengthy keyboard inputting and seating arrangements.Likewise, environmental safety concerns might also includevision and overall health considerations related to electro-magnetic computer emissions.

Telecommuting advances enable an increasing percent-age of the workforce to maintain an office at home and, atthe same time, provoke considerable debate on the future ofthe central office. Businesses must comply with softwarelicenses or face lawsuits. Office automation systems can be

complex to acquire and costly to administrate for large or-ganizations. The availability of vital office information insuch an easily obtained digital format requires considerablethought and preparation for data security.

By integrating raw information with exchange mecha-nisms and management structuring and guidance, officeautomation creates advantages as well as disadvantages.Benefits in using electronic management systems includesavings in production and service costs as information isquickly routed for optimal office performance. Office auto-mation can also be cost effective, as powerful microcomput-ers continue to drop in price. While office automation oftenmirrors actual paper transaction and activity, an office auto-mation system may also complement the paper system andprovide output only available in digital format. Thus, officeautomation extends the information activities of the officeto surpass physical or geographic limitation.

By far the fastest growing segment of the office auto-mation industry is for multifunction peripherals. Thesemachines incorporate a combination of functions into one.The first such machines included a plain paper fax anda color printer in one unit. These products grew quicklyto incorporate scanners and related functions. By the late1990s, these items registered over 100 percent growthrates.

Office automation: people, tools, and the workplace


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Microchips Bring MajorChanges to Hearing Care

Chicago, IL - The world is going wireless. Phones function flawlessly without cords. We surfthe internet from planes. GPS devices give us street directions as we drive. And now-thanksto advanced microchip technology-the hearing impaired can enjoy home entertainment andmobile phone with the same ease and flexibility as those with normal hearing.

Wireless Transmission of Sound - The ability for hearing aids to receive sound sent wirelessly

from the television, stereo and computer is now a reality. Hearing aid patients no longer needawkward necklace-style devices to receive wireless audio signals. Individuals can listen pri-vately through their hearing instruments, at the volume they prefer. Others in the room enjoya volume comfortable for them. The same microprocessor technology allows hearing aid wear-ers to enjoy hands-free use of cell and home phones. By using a small Bluetooth accessoryclipped to a shirt or automobile visor, clear conversation is sent from the phone to both ears.The phone can stay put away in a pocket or handbag during calls.

Options for Noisy Environments - Along with enabling direct-to-ear-wireless communica-tion, microprocessors help hearing aid wearers more easily understand speech in noisy environ-ments. New techniques, such as band-splitting and specialized sound classications, facilitatemore natural hearing in challenging environments. Now, instead of across-the-board amplica -tion, patients can prioritize important sounds, such as speech, while retaining auditory aware-ness of less critical sounds. Patients can also choose to focus on speech exclusively

True Breakthrough in Hearing Technology -The new line of Beltone True hearing aidssends phone conversation and TV directly into hearing instruments, while letting users stayconnected to their surroundings at the same time Beltone is the only manufacturer to utilize arobust 2.4 GHz wireless signal-which, when coupled with Trues advanced microprocessors-allows wireless transmission of sound up to 23 feet from entertainment devices. The BeltoneTrue hearing instruments Spatial Directionality feature enables more natural hearing innoisy surroundings. Using directional technology, one ear focuses on speech, while the otherear monitors sounds from around the individual. Speech Spotter Pro allows the user to focuson speech, and tune-out background noise completely.

For a free hearing screening and free trial of True hearing aids, visit one of Beltones1,500 hearing care centers located throughout the nation. For more information call Bel-tone at 1-419-773-4021.

ARE YOU HARD OF HEARING?HEA

L

T

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718 N. Cable Rd., Suite 101, Lima, Ohio

419-773-4021

BELTONE HEARING AID CENTER

A major name brand hearing aid provider wishes to eldtest a remarkable new hearing instrument in the area. Thisoffer is free of charge and you are under no obligation.

The revolutionary 100% Digital Instruments use the latesttechnology to comfortably and almost invisibly help youhear more clearly. This technology solves the stopped upears, Head in barrel sensation some people experience,and has been clinically demonstrated to improve hearingin noisy environments.

If you wish to participate, you will be required to have your hearing tested in ourofce FREE OF CHARGE to determine candidacy.

There is no fee whatsoever for participation in this eld test. Special testing willbe done to determine the increased benets of this technology. Benets of hear-ing aids vary by type and degree of hearing loss, noisy environment, accuracy ofhearing test, and proper t. This is a wonderful opportunity to determine if hearinghelp is available for your hearing loss while you evaluate your performance with thistechnology.

Testing going on for two weeks only.Call now if wish to be included in this eld trial.

Elder Care

419-695-2871

Adaptability is one of the cornerstones of humanevolution. Evolution is a slow process but adapt-ability, or the ability to get by in the short term,happens quickly and is reactionary. With the econo-my in a state of disarray during 2010 and 2011, thesenior living industry and businesses in other areaswere focused on survival. But as time heals wounds,we enter a new chapter that allows the senior hous-ing industry to adapt to the the influence of politics,economics and society. This concept of adaptationprovides the foundation for long-term change versusradical change, and 2012s senior housing trends areabout adapting to the current reality and positioningfor the fiscal realities and political/policy uncertaintyin the future of senior housing.

1. Higher Levels of Acuity - Increased Risksand Costs

Senior living and housing providers are beginningto experience higher levels of acuity (aka sickness)for their prospective residents. This elevates the riskof entrance and subsequently the cost of providingcare.

Acuity levels are rising because many seniorshave delayed the entry for economic reasons, andtheyve become more accustomed to utilizing fam-ily, technology, medicine and community support toremain in their current environment.

Higher acuity levels can lead to a higher cost of

care, and providers may need to raise their costs asa result of increased risk, or change their policies alltogether to avoid the consequences of higher acuity.This may in turn force government benefits programsinto playing an even larger role in funding seniorscare, and its also possible seniors may face discrimi-nation for entry into facilities based on their acuitylevel.

2. Senior Housing Community Evolution - Shiftin Brick and Mortar Functions

As the profile of senior housing residents change,so will the definition of types of senior care commu-nities. The shift in resident profiles are giving way toa migration in communities:

Independent Living Becomes More Like As -

sisted Living. As more home and community basedservices initiatives are implemented, seniors living inapartment complexes or 55+ communities will see a

greater level of a la carte services offered that willresemble more of an assisted living feel at a lowercost delivery as services will be unbundled.

Current Assisted Living Facilities will functionmore like Skilled Nursing. Current nursing homeswill be handling the sickest seniors in the comingyears as an alternative to hospital stays. The tradi-tional model of nursing care will migrate to assistedliving communities that can have differing levels ofcare within those communities. As part of this trend,many assisted living communities are finding that theaverage age of entry for its communities is increasingas people are living with less care longer.

Dedicated Alzheimers care facilities will beginto re-appear in earnest in the next 12-24 months. Thistrend is similar to a period in the early 2000s whenmany dedicated memory care communities were es-tablished. At the time, there were funding problemsand the trend was somewhat ahead of its time giventhe number of memory care patients. However, a de-cade later, the supply of ALZ/dementia care commu-nities is low while the demand is steady and increas-ing, regardless of the funding issues.

3. Aging in Place: Local Community FootprintExpands With Home & Community Based Ser-vices

Migratory trends for seniors are decreasing as theeconomic effects are more devastating than previous-

ly imagined, which leads to seniors remaining in theirlocal communities longer. However, the definition oflocal community is changing or better yet expand-ing. Before the definition of local community used tobe defined a 10-15 mile radius, it now encompassesan expanded area of almost 100 miles, based on sup-ply, demand and costs.

This expanded radius is possible as home andcommunity based services and networks are growing,predominantly in major metropolitan markets. Se-nior living communities and hospitals are partneringmore closely to offer a full continuum of care as anextension of their brick and mortar campuses. Thesemarketing efforts are designed to ease seniors into thesystem of care, starting at home and providing oppor-

tunities to expose individuals to the levels of care andcommunities theyll be able to choose from when it

Top 10 trends in senior

housing for 2012

See TRENDS, page 9A


9/12


Home Health Skilled Nursing

IV Therapy

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Request Your County Agency by Name

If you are in need of in-home care, remember, its your right tochoose the agency of your choice! Ask specically for Putnam County

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becomes necessary. The linkages from home, clinic,rehab centers to assisted living and skilled nursingfacilities will blur more as the power of the networkof care becomes greater, and once in the network, in-dividuals may find themselves to be customers forlife.

4. Creative Senior Living Solutions Gain Trac-tion Communal Living and MultigenerationalHousing

Concepts such as multigenerational housing, theGreenhouse Project, senior villages, co-housing,homes built with in-law apartments and other com-munal living solutions will continue appearing andevolving as individuals and families learn about thecosts of senior housing. The elderly will increasinglymove in with their familiesor each other as theeconomics of co-housing/co-habitation make a com-pelling case for multigenerational housing. Each ofthese solutions provides maximum flexibility but asthese models become more popular, regulation andfunding to further develop these alternatives may stallfuture growth.

Those living in single-family homes will investcapital in their homes as more parents move in with

their adult children. Using home office spaces, base-ments, attics and other existing solutions will makeway for more formal renovations including the gran-nie apartment as either an add-on or standalone. Un-like additions for bathrooms or kitchens, the resalevalue of grannie renovation should be discountedgreatly when considering the costs if given any con-sideration at all. Others may opt for pre-fab cottagesor PODs as solutions that can be moved, stored orre-sold when a senior needs to move to a more com-prehensive care community.

As the housing market stays stuck in neutralthrough 2012, money will be invested in making thehome more of a multi-generational dwelling out ofnecessity. Renovation will be a key driver in adapta-

tion for senior housing in both single family homes.The key will be the return on the investment (ROI)but given the uncertainty of the amount of time thatan elder may live with their children, it is difficultif not impossible to have a sense of certainity withrespect to time. The resale value of these enhance-ments or modifications will have neglible effect onthe value of the home unlike more popular renova-tions such as kitchens and baths.

5. Politics and the Need for Affordable, As-sisted Living

Partisan politics and the election year will do lit-tle to advance senior housing policy within the next12 months. The good news is that the election willbring sobering discussions about the future of healthcare and senior care. Medicare, Medicaid and otherentitlement programs will be at the forefront of thecampaign, as the countrys ability to pay its bills, bothoperating costs and debt service, is called in question.Politicians are realizing that the aging demographicsin America are an economic train wreck waiting tohappen and are identifying the problem but not dis-cussing any concrete solutions.

The greatest policy challenge yet to be fully ad-dressed is the need for some type of affordable, as-sisted living for low-income Americans. This in-cludes solutions for simple services to assist with theactivities of daily living (ADLs) and memory care.Even considering low-to-moderate income standards,will these ratios and income percentages be realistic(e.g. 60% of median area income)? Congress and

state legislatures will need to conceptualize and de-velop some kind of inter-agency solution that bridgesthe gap between housing and care.

6. Senior Care Technology Montoring andPERS Go Mainstream

Senior care technology will begin to become moremainstream both for aging in place and for those incommunities. More applications (or apps) will bedeveloped for a range of devices including laptops,PCs, tablets and smart phones. Cross-platform ap-plications will be critical as care givers (both pro-

fessional and familial) will want to carry their owndevices and wont want to carry multiple devices. Asend users of technology fall into the younger spec-trum, more companies will provide solutions that in-tegrate into the existing technology platforms.

Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)will become more prevalent and blend in more witheveryday life. Technologies for monitoring will beginto focus on habits and individual behaviors on mun-

dane tasks that dont require specific interaction witha device. Monitoring pressure in beds, trips to thebathroom, turning on the coffee pot in the morningare examples of simple monitoring techniques that,when monitored for exception processing purposes,provide a means of monitoring without direct userinteraction with any device.

For seniors who are less technologically savvy,the television still is the primary electronic devicethat is connected in their home or their room in thecommunity in which they live. Cable television op-erators have a strong position to deliver more telecareand monitoring services through their pipes andtheir boxes. Look for set top box manufacturers andcable companies to develop interfaces and applica-

tions built in for senior care.7. Real Estate - Land Rush, Location, Housing

DiscriminationHome prices will continue to present challenges

for senior housing communities across the US in2012. As the job market improves slightly duringthe course of 2012, the housing market will firm upand provide a solid bottom for housing prices in goodmarkets. For markets that have an exorbitant amountof foreclosures, it will still be some time before thosemarkets change. Communities will still have a lagfactor as many seniors that may want to move in willstill be reluctant to sell their home at current marketprices. Once the housing market recovery gains trac-tion, there could be a surge in demand for indepen-

dent living communities as capital is released afterthe sale of the home.Land acquisition and development will become

critical in 2012 as competition for prime locationsintensifies. The good news is that low financing rateswill help make the carry on the new acquisitions morepalatable but put pressure on banks to provide con-struction financing. Locations acquired during thenext 12 months will be the new communities startingin late 2013 and 2014. Municipalities will need to ad-dress permits and application for new senior housingprojects on these parcels as both a means to providecommunity support and an attempt to increase taxrevenues for their communities. The days of NIMBYshould start to diminish as residents realize that lackof supply for good senior housing in local communi-ties.

Housing discrimination against seniors will beginto gain national attention during 2012. As seniors areforced to downsize and change their lifestyles, land-lords may begin to show delicate signs of age dis-crimination.

8. Financing For Senior Housing Communities How Long Can Rates Stay Low?

Rates will stay low for the balance of 2012 thanksto the efforts of the Federal Reserve and the troublesthat remain with the European banking system. Se-nior housing providers will have a window of oppor-tunity to lock in these low rates for the next 12-18months that gives those who are building or renovat-ing time to get their communities filled up.

Banks will continue to loosen up their underwrit-ing requirements as competition heats up for estab-lished owners and operators, and more banks willlook at smaller or less-experienced operators in aneffort to expand their lending. Banks will becomemore interested in the details of the underlying op-erating model for each community financed, lookingfor functional and financial flexibility to change andadapt with supply and demand in the local market-

Trends (Continued from page 8A)

See TRENDS, page 10A


10/12


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place. In 2012, regional banks will have an upperhand with senior housing construction financing withknowledge of local markets and demographic trendsand REITs (real estate investment trusts) and large,national banks will provide the long-term financingoptions. REITs held the upper-hand in the capitalmarkets in 2011 and will most likely remain king ofthe jungle as long as rates stay low.

As older communities begin to show their func-tional obsolescence, many senior housing companieswill need to examine their current buildings and makedecisions about renovating or starting from scratch.The costs for renovation should remain less expen-sive than new construction if feasible.

9. Personal Finance Challenges & Long-TermCare Insurance

Declines in the net worth of American populationpresents both short and long term challenges to se-nior living. If the U.S. enters a new recession or aslow, steady growth trajectory through 2012, it willdo little for retirement savings for those who find itnecessary to move into senior housing communities.Coupled with a continued challenged residential realestate market, the trend for improved net worth in the

55+ crowd seems unlikely in 2012. As families movein together and more children are caring for their par-ents, the prospect of financial abuse looms larger andwill create some societal challenges where lines areblurred as family members manage finances for theirparents.

Long-term care insurance is becoming moreprevalent and will continue to grow in senior hous-ing communities during 2012. As younger seniorsenter communities with LTC insurance, the increasesin the administrative work and burden on supportinghandling LTC insurance claims added with any kindof additional support adds to the overhead costs forowners and operators. At some point, these addition-

al costs will be passed along through rate increases inone fashion or another. The good news is that somecommunities are finding that their newer entrantshave a well-balanced retirement plan that includesLTC insurance but the bad news is that those seniorsmay become high maintnenance residents given thecomplexity of their LTC insurance.

10. More Senior Living Professionals Neededfor Growing Industry

No matter how well a community is constructed,the overall basis for a well-run community is thepeople that make it operate on a day-to-day basis.The senior living industry will see increased demandfor qualified professionals that will provide moreupward pressure on wages compared to the last twoyears based upon supply and demand. With fundingcut backs anticipated for both Medicare and Medicaidprograms, government agencies at both the federaland local level need to provide more training and sup-port funds to cope with the employee developmentchallenges. Compounding the people crisis is thecrack down on overtime regulations for home-careproviders. While private enterprise is good for com-petition and keeping rates competitive, the labor costs

for senior care are going higher.Organizations will have to make career develop-

ment a higher priority to attract and retain talent aspart of their overall business plan. This task shouldnot rest solely upon the responsibility of the manage-ment of communities but should filter down to itsresidents as well. Education providers began offeringand expanding their senior living courses in 2011 andmore will follow suit in 2012 in response to the de-mand in the state and communities.

Those are just some of the major trends we seein senior housing for 2012. Have comments? Leaveus one below or send an email to [email protected].

Trends (Continued from page 9A) Using Ohio Law to Protect Your AssetsAs the cost of health care continues to rise, many families desperately look for solu-

tions to paying for care. They fear losing the home or the farm and the financial assetsthat they have worked to accumulate over a lifetime. Unfortunately, as a result of this fear,mom or dad may not get the medical treatment they need to live a dignified life.

The fear of the cost of health care is justified. At home care can cost between 10 and25 dollars per hour, assisted living centers can range from $2500 to $5000 per month andskilled nursing facilities may cost up to $280 per day ($102,000 per year). At those costs,its easy to understand the concern!

With proper planning, many options exist to protect your assets. It should be empha-sized that it is never too late to protect assets that will provide flexibility in care. Evenif mom is already in a skilled nursing facility, current Ohio law allows her to save ap-proximately half of those assets. More directly, lets say mom has $40,000 and is privatelypaying for a nursing home. With the proper planning, mom can save almost $20,000 andstill qualify for Medicaid!!

The following is a list of some very common misconceptions related to paying fornursing home costs. All of the statements are generally false, but require an understandingof the law. No statement below is intended as legal advice and a qualified attorney shouldbe consulted to evaluate your personal issues.

1) If mom or dad goes into a nursing home, they will have to sell their home to pay fornursing home costs.

2) If mom or dad transfers assets to their kids, they will not be eligible for Medicaid

for five years.3) Children cannot be paid for providing care to their parents.4) The only option to spend down to $1500 is to give the nursing home all of your

money.5) A person acting as a power of attorney for another has financial liability to pay for

the other persons financial obligations.6) You may only gift $13,000 per year to each of your children.7) A donation to the church is not an improper transfer.8) If mom does qualify for Medicaid, the attorney generals office will use Ohio Estate

Recovery to recover all Medicaid benefits paid.Remember, under Ohio law each statement above is false with the proper knowledge

and planning.


11/12


specific taxes on business, and regulatory costsare a hindrance to businesses overall, CPAs over-whelmingly said those factors would not causethem to move their business/practice to anotherstate.

But Ohio CPAs strongly believe there is roomto improve the municipal income tax structurein Ohio. In all, 94 percent agreed either greateradministrative uniformity, a more streamlined

filing process, or both should be a goal in Ohioreform efforts.Eighty five percent of Ohio CPAs were more

concerned about overall government regulationthan two years ago. In addition, 34 percent ofOhio respondents said state and local regulatoryburden is a hindrance to attracting job creators toOhio. When asked what other factors would helpmake Ohio more attractive to out-of-state job cre-ators, CPAs listed better economic developmentpackages than those offered by competing states(30 percent) and local government cooperation(26 percent) among their top choices.

An Executive Summary is available in TheOhio Society of CPAs online newsroom, along with hi-resolutiongraphs.

About the SurveyThe Survey was conducted between Nov. 11

and Dec. 7, 2011 by The University of ToledosUrban Affairs Center for The Ohio Society ofCPAs, the Indiana CPA Society, The MichiganAssociation of CPAs and The Pennsylvania In-stitute of CPAs. Combined, these organizationsrepresent the professional interests of more than70,000 CPAs.

The survey focused on current economic con-

ditions and the effects it is having on businesses.The questions were selected to quantify whatCPAs are seeing in their day-to-day operations,their clients organizations, and to gather opin-ions on how best to improve economic condi-tions in their respective states.

The Urban Affairs Center is an applied research unit of The Univer-sity of Toledo. The Center has been serving theNorthwest Ohio community for over 30 years andpartners with local, regional and state govern-ments, nonprofits and industries to analyze prob-lems and identify solutions with the goal of pro-moting economic vitality and strengthening local

communities.The Ohio Society of CPAs, established in 1908, representsmore than 22,000 CPAs in business, education,

government and public accounting. The Ohio So-cietys members not only meet statutory and regu-latory requirements as CPAs, but also embrace thehighest standards of professional and ethical per-

formance. This is achieved through ongoing pro-fessional education, comprehensive quality reviewand compliance with a strict Code of ProfessionalConduct.

CPAs(Continued from page 5A)

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One of the most difficult decisions families make is the placement of a loved one in a long-term care nursing facility.

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Certainly, the earlier you plan the better, but whether you are planning ahead, have a loved one already in a nursing

home or have a loved one entering a nursing home or assisted living facility, or you have a loved one who needs care

in their home, many planning opportunities still exist to keep your assets protected.

***THIS INFORMATION IS FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES. LEGAL COUNSEL SHOULD BE CONSULTED TO DETERMINE EACH SPECIFIC CASE.***

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business journal february 2012 a section

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