Agapi, NEXsteps and You

Agapi, NEXsteps and You

NEXsteps comes of age!

Why has Agapi shifted its focus towards NEXsteps? Well, you asked; we listened!

So, how did we land on NEXsteps?

Over the course of nearly four decades, we’ve been dedicated to offering business consultation and marketing strategies with purpose and integrity.  But that’s not all. In the background, we’ve been on a quest to meet the evolving needs of our aging community. And so, NEXsteps was born!

During the journey of overseeing the affairs of a loved one struggling with Alzheimer’s, our principal, Nancy Boisvert, gained firsthand insight into the extensive complexities involved. This experience highlighted how unprepared most individuals are when it comes to the intricate nuances of acting on someone else’s behalf. Astonishingly, even many professionals in advisory roles often lack comprehensive knowledge of all of the intricacies.

After lending a helping hand to many, offering guidance, information, and solutions, Nancy spotted a significant gap in support and services in this arena. Encouragement from legal, financial, and healthcare professionals propelled her to pivot her consulting career towards this space.

This endeavor started in earnest in September, 2022.  Fast forward to December 2023, and here we are – honed, polished, and ready to roll with a hybrid consultation approach that caters to your unique needs.

What’s in our toolkit?

Recognizing that everyone’s needs are as unique as a fingerprint, we’ve crafted both online consultation packages and personalized one-on-one consultations. You get to pick what suits your needs and budget because flexibility is key.

For the strategic alliances in our professional network, we extend specialized pricing for online consultation packages, as well as tailored one-on-one consulting to create customized aging plans for your clients.

There’s truly nothing like firsthand experience to impart wisdom and perspective. Leverage our wealth of learned experiences to sidestep the same pitfalls and hurdles, affording you more quality time with your loved ones rather than chasing after answers.

Launching Now!

Ready for the grand reveal? Along with our new NEXsteps branding, our suite of products and services is now live! Head to our online shop, browse around and see what catches your eye. And because we’re in the mood to celebrate, enjoy a sweet 20% off any NEXsteps product or service for a limited time. Just pop in Coupon Code AJ5BDC4G at checkout.

But wait, there’s more! We’ve got more services up our sleeves, so keep an eye out for updates. If you have specific requests, give us a shout.   We’re all ears!

Let’s make the aging journey smoother together! 🚀✨

 

Spreading Smiles: A Beautiful Story of Love, Walks, and Kindness

Alzheimer's

Strollin’ With Dignity

Hey there, I’ve got a heartwarming story to share with you today. It’s a heartwarming tale about Doug and Elsie—a couple making their way through Alzheimer’s with love and a daily walk that’s more than just steps.

Taking The Scenic Route

Let’s dive into the charming routine of Doug, the superhero husband who makes sure Elsie gets her daily dose of fresh air, sunshine, and community warmth as they saunter through their neighborhood.

Kindness Blooms Along The Path

What’s truly touching is how people in the community interact with them. They stop to chat, show their dogs or kids, and even offer small gestures of kindness, like bringing them cookies or water on a hot day.

It’s a beautiful reminder that Elsie and Doug are not invisible, and that simple acts of recognition and kindness can make a world of difference.

Shining A Light On Alzheimer’s With Heart

This story sheds light on the often-overlooked stories of people like Elsie, reminding us to recognize their existence and cherish the unique, beautiful threads they weave into the fabric of our community.

Let The Heartwarming Vibes Inspire You

This isn’t just a story; it’s an invitation to spread joy. Join me in celebrating the small acts that make a big difference.  Let’s remember the ripple effect of kindness and make our communities a little brighter, one friendly “hello” at a time.

Watch our video here to get the whole story, or watch on YouTube.

 

Your questions and comments are always welcome! Contact us to learn more.

Journeying Together: NEXsteps Unveils the Blueprint for Aging Gracefully

journeying together

Are You Ready For The Blueprint For Aging Gracefully?

Hey there, it’s Nancy Boisvert from NEXsteps! I’ve got some exciting updates to share with you about my journey over the past seven years and how it led to the birth of NEXsteps. Let’s dive in and chat about some of the events that brought us here.

Taking Care of a Lifelong Friend

So, picture this: back in October 2016, a dear friend of mine faced familial Alzheimer’s. She had left her marriage behind and has no children, so asked me to be her power of attorney, and that marked the start of navigating the caregiving journey. From the early days of assistance to finding the right place for her to live, it’s been a ride!

Battling Bureaucratic Obstacles

You won’t believe the bureaucratic mazes I’ve navigated in the last seven years. From health authorities to financial hurdles, nothing was smooth sailing. I’ve learned a ton, and I can’t wait to spill the beans on the unexpected challenges I’ve faced and how I tackled them.

NEXsteps: From Rookie to Resource Maven

Over the past year, NEXsteps has been evolving, and boy, have I learned a lot about how to deliver the right info to the right audience. We’ve got some exciting packages in the works, and I can’t wait to share them with you!

Aging Solutions Unveiled

Are you ready for the good stuff? I’m rolling out packages tailored to your needs and budget. Whether you’re a DIY champ or looking for a more hands-on approach, NEXsteps has got your back, providing resources and assistance to ensure your affairs are in order.

Aging with a Personal Touch

And guess what? We’re also offering one-on-one coaching! I’ll be your guide, helping you create a personalized plan for aging gracefully, tailored to your specific circumstances and keeping your affairs in check. It’s like having a caring friend by your side.

As NEXsteps gears up to launch these fantastic solutions, I’m stoked to share my experiences and wisdom with you. Aging can be a wild ride, but with the right resources, it doesn’t have to be.  It can be a dignified and organized journey.  Keep an eye out for updates!

Stay connected with NEXsteps for updates. And get ready to unlock the blueprint for aging gracefully and make your or your loved ones’ journey a smoother, more conversational experience. Can’t wait to share this exciting venture with you all!

You can check out our video update, too, either here or on YouTube.

 

Your questions and comments are always welcome! Contact us to learn more.

NEXsteps and the Culture Hack

Culture Hack and NEXsteps

Finding your next steps with NEXsteps.

On August 3rd of this year, Adam Kolozetti of ENTA Solutions interviewed Nancy Boisvert, the founder of NEXsteps.  This episode aired September 21st, and we’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to share our vision of NEXsteps with Adam and his larger audience.

We covered what inspired NEXsteps and a bit about some of the challenges and obstacles that can crop up when someone is managing the affairs of a loved one.  By being better prepared and understanding some of these issues, others can avoid these issues or, at least, minimize the impact they will have and the time they will take to resolve.

You can watch the episode now, or watch it on our YouTube Channel.     If you prefer, you can listen to our podcast.

You can also check it out on Adam’s channel.

Your questions and comments are always welcome.  Contact us to learn more or to schedule your consultation.

 

 

NEXsteps Appears on Your Partner In Success Radio

Updating and Shifting Your Business Strategy

Podcast interview for NEXsteps!

On December 7, 2022, NEXsteps had the honor and the privilege of being interviewed by Denise Griffitts, founder and host of Your Partner In Success™ Radio , which is ranked in the top 2% of podcasts globally.  The topic of the interview was Shifting and Updating Your Business Strategy.  During the interview, we discussed how Agapi shifted focus from providing strategic marketing and business consulting to focusing on NEXsteps, which provides consultation with all those dealing with aging transition, ensuring a solid foundation for a comprehensive aging plan is in place.

Your Partner In Success™ Radio has been featured in Entrepreneur, Inc. and on MSNBC., and has been identified as one of the best business podcasts you need to be listening to now on INC. Her guest are authors, speakers, coaches and mentors, and so much more, coming from a wide range of business disciplines, from marketing and sales to leadership and productivity to share stories, wisdom, tips, and advice. What a wonderful opportunity it was, to share the stage with such inspirational and knowledgeable guests!

You can listen directly on Your Partner In Success™ Radio, Agapi’s podcast, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, to learn more about shifting and updating your business strategy.

You can also listen directly here, on this post.

 

 

Contact us to learn more or to schedule your consultation.

 

Elevate Your Business Interview with NEXsteps

transition to nexsteps

NEXsteps interviews with Nine Business Group.

On November 9, 2022 NEXsteps founder, Nancy Boisvert, had the opportunity to be interviewed by Kent Boehm, general manager of Nine Business Group and host of the Elevate Your Business Chat series.  The burning question was what motivated Agapi’s shift in focus to NEXsteps and the transitional aging process.  While learning more about past business experiences, Kent also asked more about NEXsteps and what motivated the shift in focus.

To watch this brief but informative 13 minute video, please click below or visit our YouTube channel.  Don’t have time but want to listen? Also now available now as a podcast. Listen now to see what motivated Agapi’s shift in focus to NEXsteps and the transitional aging process.

Contact us to learn more or to schedule your consultation.

Learn more…

Wouldn’t You Rather Be…?

caregiver journey

What is the caregiver journey like?

“I wish I had a resource person or guide to point me in the right direction at the start of my caregiving journey”

The caregiver journey can be a rough road.  That quote is from a caregiver survey done by the University of Alberta for research on the impact of caregiving on well-being, published in November of 2021. (https://rapp.ualberta.ca/snapshot-of-aging/).

Taking care of our loved ones is something that is natural.  We all want those we love to be safe, warm, happy and cared-for.  We want to remove, or at least reduce, their stress and anxiety when aging or health/mobility issues increasingly become the norm.

But caregiving takes a toll.  It usually starts with just a few errands or a few hours per week, but this changes, creating a subtle, yet insidious demand on more and more of the caregiver’s time.  As the time required for caregiving increases, it can affect all areas of our lives; time away from our careers, our spouses and children, time for our own errands and responsibilities, and time for our own recreation or hobbies that keep us healthy and balanced.

The end result can be an increased amount of stress and anxiety for the caregiver.  Of course we want to manage the needs of our loved ones, even as these needs increase, but trying to do it all can result in short tempers, anger and resentment.

It doesn’t have to be that way!  You can be the caregiver for your loved one, but turn the focus back to being the husband, or wife, or son, or daughter, or friend of the person needing the support.

Our years of experience walking in your shoes have resulted in the development of our comprehensive consultative process that ensures that a stable, yet flexible, aging plan is in place.  Now you don’t need to spend hours chasing answers to those issues and problems that appear out of nowhere.  We’ve already found the solutions to most of those problems.

“I wish I had a resource person or guide to point me in the right direction at the start of my caregiving journey”.  That doesn’t have to be your story, and your caregiver journey doesn’t have to be so difficult.  We are that resource, and we can help.  Contact us  to schedule your consultation or learn more about our current products and services.

Learn more…

 

Introductory Newsletter November 2022

Aging plan services summary

Here are just some of our services.

You can review our summary of our aging transition plans.  However, we aren’t limited to these options.  All our plans are specifically designed to address your unique circumstances.  Here’s a brief overview of how we can help you.

You can  check out our service options or learn more about NEXsteps.

Hours and Hours

unpaid caregiver hours and value

Unpaid caregivers – family and friends – provide incredible value.

Have you ever wondered how many hours family and friends give as caregivers? It’s not trivial, nor is the monetary value.

It happens to all of us eventually. We’re either providing assistance and support to our loved ones as they advance in age and care needs, or we’re the ones aging and receiving the support.

Regardless, it all adds up. Usually, it is insidious; a few hours here and there to help with errands or appointments. Before long, it is taking up a larger and larger part of your day. But what does this unpaid caregiver hours and value look like?

I had the opportunity recently to talk with Jacquie Eales, Research Manager, Research on Aging, Policies & Practice at the University of Alberta. One of the areas they have researched and compiled data is that of unpaid caregiver hours. With Jacquie’s blessing, I will share some of that data with you in this post.

First of all, let’s take the birds’ eye overview of what that looks like across the provinces of Canada. This infographic shows the percentage of population per province engaged in caregiving, as well as the amount of time spent in millions of hours per year, and the economic value in billions per year, at $17 per hour.

Now, let’s break it out by category for a clearer visual representation:

As you can see in the above picture, one-quarter to one-third of our population is engaged in providing caregiving support.

 

This next image breaks out the amount of time friend and family caregivers are providing each year, in millions.

 

Calculated at $17 per hour, the economic value of these millions of hours of support represent significant value, as shown in the following image.

Attribution: Family-caregiving-worth-97-billion_2022-02-20 by Research on Aging, Policies and Practice, University of Alberta, https://rapp.ualberta.ca/snapshot-of-aging/

The amount of time provided to support our aging population clearly is far from trivial.  Keep in mind that during the Covid-19 lockdowns, many family/friend caregivers could not access their loved ones, creating stress for the staff at the various facilities housing so many of our seniors, frustration for the friends and family members, and isolating a cohort that already suffers from loneliness and seclusion.

Societies have always depended on the support of friends and family members to assist with those who require support.  This is something that the vast majority of us never would question and is a fundamental kindness.  But options exist to provide balance and wellness for everyone concerned.  A consultation with NEXsteps can show you how you can provide the love and support to your loved ones while striking a better balance with the other aspects of your life.  Contact us to schedule your consultation, or learn more about our services.

 

You can also see our video on YouTube

 

Introducing NEXsteps – Age with Confidence

transitional aging specialist

Introducing NEXsteps – The Art of Aging Well

We are your transitional aging specialists.

The past few years dealing with COVID-19 have been challenging for everyone, and on many levels. During the initial phase, no one knew what to expect. Lockdowns caused many businesses to close, often with no ability to reopen in the future. The impact of the lack of business reverberated throughout nearly all types of businesses; with no customers and no idea what the future held, many opportunities were lost and many businesses had to learn to pivot to continue.

I took this opportunity to reflect on what I felt was most meaningful to me at this phase of my life. I have spent the past several years managing the care and transition of aging friends and relatives, becoming a transitional aging specialist. This has been both rewarding and challenging. There are many aspects to the aging process and the development of an aging plan that simply can’t be anticipated, especially if you are a caregiver “newby”. Then, just a couple months ago, I made a decision to shift my focus from general business and strategic marketing consultation  to consulting with the aging, and their friends and family members who will have the responsibility of managing their care and their aging plan.

I invite any of you who are faced with this planning to reach out. An initial ninety minute consultation to develop a proper aging plan will ensure that you can move forward with confidence and efficiency. Don’t spend hours of your time chasing answers that I have already have discovered during my journey to become a transitional aging specialist. Contact us and schedule your consultation, or check out our products and services.

Learn more…
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