Oftentimes, when a family member or friend needs to relocate to a senior living community, the life changing event is unexpected. Loved ones scramble to research, make phone calls, and take time off work to come up with a solution to help the senior they care for. For many, the outcome results in frustration and wondering if they made the right decisions. The process can be draining emotionally and financially. Perhaps you or someone you may know have experienced this.

Hello, my name is Andrew Leonard, Licensed Assisted Living Facility Administrator and co-founder of JoyKeepers Assisted Living, a residential senior home in Orlando, FL. I am the author of “Assisted Living 911: A Quick and Simple Guide to Help You Choose the Right Senior Community for Your Loved One.” This book was designed for the millions of individuals who are unexpectedly coming to the aid of an elderly loved one. Assisted Living 911 was specifically written as a quick, simple and easy to follow guide to aide families in making the best decision when evaluating senior living options. It’s the family caregiver’s go to playbook arising from the first incident that so many caregivers experience; their elderly loved one having a slip and fall, car accident or rapid mental decline. These events spark conversations with seniors and/or siblings that include finding the appropriate living facility. The things I learned from my personal conversations and from caring for my army veteran grandfather before he passed away, inspired me to work in the assisted living industry and to offer a guide to those who find themselves in similar situations. My book was once an Amazon Top 25 Best Seller in Disabled Studies.

If you were 90 years old and easily got disoriented when going to large places, would you want to move from your comfy home to a large unknown facility?

I am mission focused on changing the elderly’s perception of what assisted living has to be. No senior should feel that they are having to relocate to a large institutionalized environment to call home. You, or someone you may know may have experienced this first hand, as I did taking care of my grandfather.

Although my grandfather spent most days angry my brother and I worked very hard to help him maintain his joy. He is the motivation behind our company and our company’s name. Taking care of my grandfather before he passed away and watching how his health declined when moving to a larger facility inspired me to open a residential assisted living home.

THE HURDLES AND RISKS

My brother and I had been working on locating a property and going through the assisted-living licensing process since 2017. Due to state regulations, the startup capital is very intense to convert a single family home into an assisted living facility. Unsuccessful in obtaining funds, I decided to work towards a smaller resident capacity of assisted living the state permits. We eventually were able to secure a location to lease. We have used our funds to pay for most of the property’s repairs and some expenses needed prior to opening our senior community, but our resources are limited. Operating at our allowed resident capacity is not sustainable, due to high overhead cost.

I am asking for your support. Our goal is to raise $125,000 to help my company pay for the expenses needed that will be incurred by going through licensing process and publishing a 2nd book journalizing the path taken to get desired state licensing with the donated funds so those who see the value in what smaller senior communities have to offer will learn how to open their own senior community at the most desired (and most cost effective) licensing tier. Furthermore, the book will cover the elderly and their family’s experience. Readers will be hearing directly from the seniors on how the smaller communities have changed their life for the better, and why residential senior living is becoming more heavily favored for the elderly. We are in need to meet our goal by the end of this campaign.

Your generous support would not only benefit us but it would also provide the elderly in our area with a senior community where they won’t feel like they are “lost in the crowd” of a large facility. They will feel at home…because it is a home. Please see summary of donation breakdown below. We look forward to post progress reports.

ABOUT US

Dr. Matthew Leonard, Co-Founder, PT, DPT

Dr. Matthew Leonard, is the co-owner of JoyKeepers Assisted Living, LLC. Since 2015 he has worked with seniors at outpatient clinics on many occasions helping them achieve mobility and relieving pain, and performing home health rehab visits within the senior community helping them become as self-sufficient as possible. Matthew graduated from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine as a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Andrew Leonard is a Licensed Assisted Living Facility Administrator and a member of the Florida Assisted Living Community Administrative Network. He is an Amazon Top 25 Best Selling Author in Disabled Studies, titled Assisted Living 911: A Quick and Simple Guide To Help You Choose The Right Senior Community For Your Loved One. Andrew took care of his grandfather before passing away, which is what inspired him to work in the assisted living industry. Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a focus on Marketing from Webber International University. He has helped numerous families navigate through the assisted living process and hosts a local forum that provides industry information. He is proud to serve seniors and other under-served populations through donations and volunteer efforts in the local community.

USE OF DONATED FUNDS

Marketing for 2nd edition book $500

State’s Proof of Financial Ability to Operate: $45,000

ALF Liability Insurance: $4,650

Engineer floor and remodel plans that are required by bld. Dept. $900

Application Fees/ licensing fees $850

Fire Permit $100

Health Permit $100

City License $50

Arbor Department Requirement $1,605

Self Closing doors $150

smoke detectors (that are hard wired into the fire systems) $1,000

Sprinkler System $7,500

Permanent Generator (installed system, electrical work, tanks, permits, line, required amount of fuel to have on site, patchwork ) $14,000

(note: Generator section could be half the cost if best option not available. We are keeping the residents and rest of staff in mind)

Fire Alarm System $8,650

Additional Shower Chair $75

1 Commode $75

1 Walk in shower with ADA $16,495

Extra Wheelchair $100

Wheelchair ramp $300

Additional Wireless call system $250

Additional binders and policy books needed for licensing tier (appx 25 count), additional documents to be filed, hiring personnel to assist in creating of emergency weather disaster and emergency power plans, and other additional documents that that state/governing body has to approve and sign off of at this licensing tier, required storm preparedness food supply start up cost for resident capacity, Doors that meet state standard for ALF fire code, other repairs to the property such as required door widening for some rooms, windows that has been stained badly due to improper installation, as state inspector may require this to be fixed even though it is cosmetic. $8,850.

Kickstarter Platform expenses, fees, taxes = remaining $13,850

Total: $125,000

With your generosity, I can complete the desired licensing process and free up my time to educate families and aspiring residential ALF owners by publishing a second edition to the book. This book will help more owners know what they are getting into and have published material in place to guide them. They won’t have to pay thousands of dollars just to have a blueprint. (or a book that is more of an upsell than providing “how to” content). The residential assisted living industry is an industry that can be very difficult for ambitious owners to find an individual who won’t mind sharing information, being 100% transparent with them, and not charge substantial fees.

REWARDS

First and fore most, thank you to ALL! NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL. All donations are appreciated. All donors are welcomed to schedule an appointment to tour our community.

$10 On Up: Certificate of Support and Member Updates

-Keep you informed on updates via email.

-Receive a Certificate of Support via electronic mail.

$300 On Up:Signed Book & Backers’ Name in Next Book

-Receive a signed copy of my Amazon Top 25 Best Seller in Disabled Studies, Assisted Living 911: A Quick and Simple Guide to Help You Choose the Right Senior Community for Your Loved One.

– Backers’ name listed in the next published edition of my book (IMPORTANT: ESTIMATE TIME OF COMPLETION OF PUBLICATION FOR THIS ITEM IS SEPTEMBER 2020. TO RECEIVE THIS EDITION AS PART OF THE REWARDS, PLEASE SELECT THE APPROPRIATE REWARDS LISTED BELOW)

-Receive a Certificate of Support via electronic mail.

-Keep you informed on updates via email.

$1,000 On Up: Sponsor Name On Our Website & MORE

-Your name, business/organization’s name, on our website www.joykeepersalf.com and/or if you wanted to dedicate your donation to loved one, you may do so. i.e. “Sponsored by “John Smith, in loving memory of Aunt Carol.” “Jim Moore Medical Center, New Hampshire”, “Phillip Knight, Naples, Florida, in honor of Joyce Green” etc.

– Backers’ name listed in the next published edition of my book. (IMPORTANT: ESTIMATE TIME OF COMPLETION OF PUBLICATION FOR THIS ITEM IS SEPTEMBER 2020. TO RECEIVE THIS EDITION AS PART OF THE REWARDS, PLEASE SELECT THE APPROPRIATE REWARDS LISTED BELOW)

-Receive a signed copy of my Amazon Top 25 Best Seller in Disabled Studies, Assisted Living 911: A Quick and Simple Guide to Help You Choose the Right Senior Community for Your Loved One.

-Keep you informed on updates via email.

-Receive a Certificate of Support via electronic mail.

$5,000 On Up: GOLD SPONSOR EXCLUSIVE PACKAGE:

-Receive (1) custom engraved watch from Baume with you/your organization’s name stating you are a JoyKeepers Gold Sponsor

-Become a Featured Sponsor on the front page of our website www.joykeepersalf.com with the option of having your logo and link directly to your organization’s web domain.

-Backers’ name listed in the next published edition of my book AND receive a signed copy of the book after facility licensing completed. (Estimate Time of Publication & Delivery: Sept. 2020)

-Your name on our website www.joykeepersalf.com and/or if you wanted to dedicate your donation to loved one, you may do so.

-Receive a signed copy of my Amazon Top 25 Best Seller in Disabled Studies, Assisted Living 911: A Quick and Simple Guide to Help You Choose the Right Senior Community for Your Loved One.

-Keep you informed on updates via email.

-Receive a Certificate of Support via electronic mail.

-A personalized letter thanking you/your organization.

Why Did I Choose Kickstarter?

I Chose Kickstarter because this is an “All or Nothing” Campaign. If this campaign were to only raise $30,000 for example, I still would not be able to start the licensing process. I would still have to cover very long hours that would not allow me to have time to create and publish more educational material for families and people seeking ALF ownership. At minimum $85,000 raised would allow me to pursue the project but I would have to cut our expenses/projects. I would rather keep budget as listed as I feel it would be in the best interest of our staff and residents.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be delighted answer and questions or concerns. To contact me, scroll to the top right side of the page and click on my image. Then press “Contact Me” to send your question. Likewise, if you would prefer to arrange a phone conference, please inform me in the email so we can arrange for a day and time to address your questions.

I have been involved in many entrepreneurial endeavors over the last 12 years. None have been so complex, with so much misinformation, yet worth waking up every day pursuing. Thank you in advance for your support and consideration. With your help, I can publish a complete guide for future residential assisted living owners who can contribute to providing senior communities that are designed to keep seniors in a familiar home setting.

Andrew Leonard