Corona Age Advantage Leads by Example

11/30/2011

Leaving a stable, seventeen-year corporate position as a General Merchandising Manager at Stater Brothers for the unknown territory of starting a new business was not without difficulty.  However, Jileen’s passion and commitment to helping seniors remain in their homes for as long as possible kept her motivated.  “Don’t go into business to make a quick buck,” she warns prospective entrepreneurs.  She also pointed out that building a new business takes time, patience and risk; there’s no guaranteed paycheck, so people “need to have heart and enjoy what they do.”  Fortunately, Jileen’s  heart and persistence paid off.  Approximately one year after she left Stater Brothers, she and her husband Mike opened the doors of Corona’s Age Advantage.

Mike and Jileen, along with their dedicated staff, provide important services to the independent  elderly, such as taking them  shopping and to doctors’ appointments or assisting with meals and housekeeping.  They also provide personal care by helping seniors bathe, dress, etc.  Most importantly, they offer companionship and a sense of security to their loved ones who know that their beloved parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt is able to live both independently and safely in their own home.

Jileen’s own grandfather, 95-year-old Robert Elicker, is able to live at home with Mike and Jileen, thanks to the additional support of Corona’s Age Advantage.  “It was my mom’s dream that her dad would never be alone,” Jileen says, her voice thick with emotion.  “He didn’t want to go to a home.”  She points out how much Elicker, a World War II veteran, loves living with them, as well as how rewarding the situation is for all of them.  Her hope is that many other families will also be able to improve the golden years of their aging loved ones by taking advantage of the services Corona’s Age Advantage has to offer.