Planning for retirement often includes decisions about finances, housing, healthcare, and legal matters. However, many families do not consider what life may look like later—when an older adult begins to need help at home, develops health concerns, or can no longer manage daily activities independently.
Joe and Marilyn Hillyer, owners of Cascade Senior Services, created their organization to help families prepare for and navigate those changes.
Based in University Place, Washington, Cascade Senior Services serves families throughout South Puget Sound, including Pierce, Kitsap, and Thurston Counties. The organization also assists clients in King and Snohomish Counties in the greater Seattle area.
Planning for Care Before a Crisis Happens
Many people do not begin thinking about senior care until a parent falls, receives a new diagnosis, is discharged from the hospital, or can no longer safely live alone.
Joe explained that families often have plans for retirement but may not have a clear plan for care later in life.
Someone may retire at age 65 with their finances, estate plans, healthcare wishes, and living arrangements organized. However, they may not know what support they will need at age 80 or 85—or how much that care may cost.
Cascade Senior Services encourages families to begin those conversations early.
Through geriatric care management and senior care planning, the team helps older adults and their families understand their options, prepare for future needs, and make informed decisions before an emergency occurs.
Support Throughout the Aging Journey
Every family’s situation is different. Some older adults may only need occasional assistance, while others may eventually require daily care, skilled nursing services, or a different living environment.
Cascade Senior Services helps families navigate the full continuum of care, including:
- Long-term senior care planning
- Geriatric care management
- Non-medical home care
- Home health services
- Family caregiver support
- Respite care
- Independent living placement
- Assisted living placement
- Adult family home placement
- Referrals to trusted local resources
Joe and Marilyn are strong advocates for helping older adults remain at home whenever it is safe and appropriate. When living at home is no longer the best option, they help families explore other care settings and locate an environment that meets the older adult’s needs.
Their goal is to make sure families do not have to navigate difficult decisions alone.
Helping Families Who Live Far Away
Managing care can be especially difficult for adult children who live in another city or state. They may worry about whether Mom is eating properly, whether Dad is taking his medications, or whether changes in health or behavior are being noticed.
A care manager can serve as a trusted local resource by assessing the situation, communicating with family members, coordinating services, and helping everyone understand what should happen next.
For long-distance families, this type of guidance can provide valuable reassurance and peace of mind.
Preparing and Training Professional Caregivers
Cascade Senior Services is also working to address the growing need for qualified caregivers in Washington.
Professional caregivers in Washington must complete required education, hands-on training, testing, and certification before providing care to older adults.
Cascade Senior Services operates a caregiver training academy that offers both classroom and hybrid learning options.
Students can complete portions of the program online while also participating in required hands-on instruction. The organization is also able to provide state-approved testing at its facility, helping caregivers move more efficiently from training to certification and employment.
After caregivers join the profession, Cascade Senior Services encourages continued education, including additional training related to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other conditions commonly affecting older adults.
Supporting Family Caregivers
Professional caregivers are only part of the caregiving workforce. Across the country, millions of spouses, adult children, relatives, and friends provide unpaid care to someone they love.
Many family caregivers step into the role unexpectedly. They may have little training and no clear roadmap for handling personal care, safety concerns, changing behaviors, medical appointments, or caregiver stress.
Cascade Senior Services helps family caregivers gain the knowledge and confidence they need to provide safer, more effective care. Training can also help family caregivers understand an important lesson: they do not have to do everything alone.
Caregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Respite care, professional support, and community resources can help family caregivers protect their own health while continuing to support their loved ones.
As Joe explained, family caregivers are often superheroes—but even superheroes need help.
A Trusted Local Network
One of the greatest advantages of working with an experienced care management team is access to a strong local network.
Joe and Marilyn have spent years working with older adults, caregivers, healthcare professionals, senior living communities, and community organizations throughout Western Washington.
They understand the local care system and know where to turn when a family needs additional support.
If Cascade Senior Services cannot directly provide a particular service, the team can help connect the family with someone who can.
Helping Families Find a Clear Path Forward
Aging can bring difficult decisions, but families do not have to wait for a crisis or try to solve every problem on their own.
Cascade Senior Services helps older adults and their families plan ahead, understand their options, find qualified caregivers, coordinate services, and respond when needs change.
Whether a family is preparing for the future, caring for a loved one at home, searching for caregiver training, or facing an immediate care concern, Joe and Marilyn Hillyer and the Cascade Senior Services team are committed to helping them find the right path forward.
Their mission is simple: help families navigate aging, reduce stress, control costs when possible, and ensure older adults receive the best care available.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home health care in Parkland, WA, please contact the caring staff at Cascade Senior Services today: (253) 961-3323.
