Senior Independence Month is celebrated in February and focuses on keeping older adults safe and healthy in their homes and apartments. Research by Princeton University shows that our environment can positively or negatively impact our ability to complete tasks as well as our overall mental health. If the physical space around us feels scattered, it’s likely our mental space will feel the same.
In fact, studies demonstrate that by removing or controlling clutter, we can directly reduce the stress and potential physical harm that stems from the mess. Decluttering leads to health benefits, including:
Older adults are at higher risk for cluttered housing, especially if they struggle with chronic health conditions. Keeping them safe and happy at home allows for a better quality of life.
Remember, while clutter can be overwhelming, it can be removed and organized. Bio-One Columbus specializes in decluttering homes professionally, quickly and efficiently, with a level of detail that is difficult to achieve if you're trying to do it alone.
Life is stressful enough with daily tasks and workloads. Call us today if you or someone you know has a living space overwhelmed with clutter and who needs support staying at home safely.
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Hallways
Bedrooms
Basements
Garages
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards.
Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry.
For more information, visit us at https://bioonecolumbus.com/
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Bio-One Columbus provides 24/7 death, crime scene, suicide cleanup and other biohazard cleanup services from trusted, experienced, and discreet professionals serving Columbus and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re in law enforcement, government, property management, or a local resident, Bio-One of Columbus has over a decade of experience serving you.
We guarantee:
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards.
Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry.
For more information, visit us at https://bioonecolumbus.com/
Twitter: @BioOneColumbus LinkedIn: Bio-One Columbus Facebook: Bio-One Columbus Instagram: Bio-One Columbus
You've heard the adage that asking for help somehow means being "weak," "not smart enough," or "dependent." Yet in this world, we never truly do things on our own -- as leaders, parents, family members, colleagues, and friends, the connection and engagement with others keeps us healthy and happy.
If you find a tenant or a family member who has gotten overwhelmed with cleaning, decluttering or managing their household safety, this is definitely not a time to go it alone.
On a practical level, while you want to help the person right away by potentially cleaning a cluttered and unsanitary space, it may lead to a host of additional issues, such as:
Please contact us to remove the hazards for you -- that way you don't waste time trying to figure out what you don't know, and you'll have more time to do the things that matter.
At Bio-One of Columbus, our trained technicians will:
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of this month and our newsletter theme of Asking for Help, we offer this information and reminders as a way to support all of us in our health journey.
Breast cancer can have combinations of symptoms, especially when it is more advanced. Most people will not experience any symptoms when the cancer is still early.
Symptoms of breast cancer can include:
Please seek medical care if you find a lump in your breast, even if the lump does not hurt.
Most breast lumps are not cancer. Breast lumps that are cancerous are more likely to be successfully treated when they are small and have not spread to nearby lymph nodes. Be sure to do your breast self-exam monthly and reach out for medical advice asap if you find a lump.
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards.
Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry.
For more information, visit us at https://bioonecolumbus.com/
Twitter: @BioOneColumbus LinkedIn: Bio-One Columbus Facebook: Bio-One Columbus Instagram: Bio-One Columbus
Suicide Prevention: Be There, Be The One To Help
September marks National Suicide Prevention Month – a month to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions of people who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and acknowledge the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. It is also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope.
Suicide is a public health problem because of its far-reaching effects:
Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. Be there and be the one to ask, keep them safe and help them connect to crisis resources.
Safeguard the people in your life from the risk of suicide and support them:
Bio-One Columbus frequently partners with LOSS- Franklin County. Their mission is to be an instillation of hope to those bereaved by suicide, empowering survivors so they can thrive, with their vision to create a community of loss survivors experiencing a restoration of hope and standing together for suicide awareness. If you are in need of their services or know someone who can benefit, please visit their website.
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards.
Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry.
For more information, visit us at https://bioonecolumbus.com/
Twitter: @BioOneColumbus LinkedIn: Bio-One Columbus Facebook: Bio-One Columbus Instagram: Bio-One Columbus
It is clear that post COVID-19, there continues to be a separation and distance from friends and family that has been challenging to overcome as we "return to normal." We see an increase in isolation in many people, especially those with mental health and/or physical health difficulties, older adults, those with competing demands of work & multiple family stressors. The recent uptick in the new COVID variant may fuel a return to isolation and lack of connectivity.
All of us are human and have problems arise at times. Your tenants may experience personal situations that result in difficulty paying rent or in keeping their spaces clean. It is not uncommon for owners to discover severe hoarding issues, unattended deaths, and other biohazard concerns that are weeks, months or even years old. These have a negative impact on the value of your property and require complex biohazard cleanup in order to restore safety and functionality to the home.
Social connectedness is a strong determinant of proactive remediation of these problems as well as improved health of your tenants. Making routine and positive communication a core component of your management style will go a long way at supporting them and identifying problems before they get overwhelming. For example, integrating routine furnace filter changes, checking the batteries in smoke detectors, or inspecting household appliances can allow access to the home to promote safety and ensure that conditions in the home meet the standards set out in your rental agreement.
We understand that taking the time to engage with tenants may seem difficult but the short investment of time is a long-term strategy for success and trust. As a reliable and consistent landlord, your connection to resources and demonstration of humanity and kindness will help you maintain quality, long-term tenants.
Bio-One Columbus is here to support you when situations may prove overwhelming for tenants or the unexpected tragedy happens. We promise professionalism and non-judgmental services. Our unmarked vehicles and experienced technicians ensure discretion.
Biohazard situations come in infinite forms. We have the tools and experience necessary to handle all of them, including unattended death, hoarding cleanup, crime scene cleanup, sewage/feces cleanup and many others. For more information, please visit our website.
Please take the time to check in on your tenants today and call us for a free estimate should the need arise. Calls are answered 24/7 and we will ensure timely and professional follow-up.
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards.
Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry.
For more information, visit us at https://bioonecolumbus.com/
Twitter: @BioOneColumbus LinkedIn: Bio-One Columbus Facebook: Bio-One Columbus Instagram: Bio-One Columbus
by Tim Lockard, Owner Bio-One Columbus
It was a Monday in June, and we were half a day into a week-long project. The home in which we were working was moving its way through the docket of the Franklin County Environmental Courts for several code violations involving unsafe conditions due to excessive clutter, non-functioning mechanicals and general unsanitary living conditions.
It’s not uncommon for us to be working in a home that Code Enforcement has “Red Tagged”, a status in which the owner(s) may not legally occupy the residence until safety violations have been remedied. In this particular home, we were tasked with removing what ended up being approximately 17 tons of non-salvageable clothing, household items, furniture, appliances and trash.
On that particular Monday in June, Becky, one of my Project Managers, called me over to show me something she’d found while sorting for family photographs and other irreplaceable items in a waist-deep pile of mostly trash in the living room. It was one of my business cards.
Having gone through several styles of cards over the years, I recognized it as being at least five years old. Someone in the client’s life had given her my card, and she’d kept it for all those years without calling until just recently. It makes me wonder how her life might have been impacted had she called sooner.
There are many reasons a home can reach this degree of dysfunction and why it takes people a long period of time to reach out for help. Compulsive Hoarding Disorder (also known as Hoarding Disorder) is a mental disorder characterized by accumulation of possessions due to excessive acquisition of or difficulty discarding them, regardless of their actual value (APA). This leads to significant distress or impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
While this disorder is often a root cause of the clutter and decline in function, we find that most of our clients living in hoarding-like conditions don’t have a formal diagnosis. Most would describe themselves as struggling with periodic bouts of depression and living with some degree of physical disability (often age-related). They may hide their condition from family, friends, doctors and others. The shame, embarrassment, fear, and overwhelming anxiety around compulsive hoarding and possible consequences can paralyze the person's decision-making capabilities.
It reminded me of another client who had my card for eleven months and had even set a daily reminder in her phone to call me. Eleven months was how long it took her to work up the courage to call. When she finally called, I told her that she’d called the right place and that we could help. I remember her sobbing through the phone with relief that she had finally made the call and was met with compassion and concern, rather than shame.
These are our clients, and regardless of the reasons that they find themselves living in these conditions, we help to restore the functionality and safety in their homes. We do this without judgment and with respect for their right to dignity and self-determination. I know we’ve made an indelible, positive impact on those lives and many others. It’s why we do what we do.
If someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or in an unhealthy living situation, but is struggling to ask for help, there are many ways to help them.
Here are a couple of tips, whether you are a friend, family member or an acquaintance:
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards.
Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry.
For more information, visit us at https://bioonecolumbus.com/
Twitter: @BioOneColumbus LinkedIn: Bio-One Columbus Facebook: Bio-One Columbus Instagram: Bio-One Columbus
What do I do if a Homeless Encampment Appears on my property?
When you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having an encampment appear on your property, there are steps to take to deal with the situation. In Ohio, over 10,000 people are homeless at any given time. While homeless encampments are often the outcome of housing insecurity, untreated mental health and/or substance abuse problems, they are unsafe and contribute to health dangers such as environmental hazards, physical health issues, biological waste, and infestations of rodents.
First and foremost, understand and take care when addressing the situation. Confrontations with inhabitants of these encampments can result in unwanted outcomes with the potential for violence and physical harm. Compassion can often result in an effective resolution to the situation.
Second, contact city code enforcement (Code Enforcement at columbus.gov). The contact will depend on location of the camp (e.g., inside or outside city limits). City code enforcement will contact the police and the Columbus Department of Public Works for assistance in notifying the residents of the zoning laws.
Third, contact Bio-One Columbus for a free estimate. Homeless encampments often contain biohazards such as human waste, piles of trash, hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia. Clean up requires a professional team with the training and personal protective equipment to safely and effectively remove all trash and regulated waste in order to make the area safe again. Bio-One Columbus will survey the area free of charge, create a customized remediation plan and provide a reasonable estimate to clean the site safely and in a timely way.
Lastly, encourage those living in the camp to seek help from local resources detailed on the Homeless Hotline resource page (columbushomeless.org)
Bio-One Columbus is honoring Earth Day by rallying behind 2023's theme “Invest In Our Planet.” This year's theme highlights the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. Investing in our planet is necessary to protect it and the best way to pave a path towards a prosperous future. When we Invest In Our Planet together, we are supporting healthy, happy, and wealthy communities worldwide. Visit earthday.org for more information.
February is National Senior Independence Month. During this month, we celebrate those older adults who are successfully living in our communities and focus on how to preserve that independence long-term. Successful and healthy aging “in place” requires community engagement & assistance that we all can provide to our seniors.
Risks to losing independence in late life include limited mobility and social isolation. Older adults in the community may struggle to keep up with cleaning due to health issues or hide problems with hygiene due to shame or embarrassment, ultimately resulting in a decline of well-being and loss of independence.
Here are some simple tips to successfully age in place and keep a home safe:
Decluttering is a significant challenging in late life because of the sentimental attachment to objects, fatigue preventing the person from deep cleaning, fear of change, or undiagnosed mental or physical health issues. Hiring a professional to assist with this process can reduce the fear and anxiety as well as reduce the physical burden on the person.
If you know an older adult struggling to maintain their independence due to hoarding behaviors, pile-up of gross filth, or clutter that impairs mobility, call Bio-One Columbus today. We can remediate home spaces to be livable and support seniors to maintain independence for as long as possible.
Ohio has the 18th largest population of adults over 65 in the United States! Other informative statistics include:
The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging supports healthy aging in the community. They plan, fund, & deliver services to keep older adults and those with disabilities safe and independent in their home. Services include assistance in finding home health care, transportation, meals, and homemaking. They also provide educational programs for caregivers and the public. For more information, visit their website at COAAA
In 2022 Bio-One Columbus helped a total of 223 families and businesses. It’s a number that reflects a staggering amount of need for services here in our community. When I talk about that level of need, I’m often asked, “What’s your most common job?” While the scope of our remediation work ranges from trauma scenes to hoarding remediation and beyond, the most common call I consistently receive is from an older adult (or a family member of an older adult).
The situations are invariably similar in their presentation. The resident has some degree of physical disability, often paired with depression, and the situation in the home has progressed beyond their ability to recover without outside help. The home may be full of trash that was too heavy for the resident to get to a proper receptacle. Pets may not have been taken outside for days or longer, and litter boxes may not have been changed in weeks, months or even years. The end result is an environment that is not safe for the resident. Shame makes it nearly impossible to ask for help once this cycle has begun.
This is where Bio-One makes a significant difference. Health, safety and dignity are at the core of what we strive to restore for our clients in these situations. My advice: Reach out for help early and often. There’s no shame in asking for help when you need it. There are resources in place to help.
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards. Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry. For more information, visit us at https://www.bioonecolumbus.com/
Twitter: @BioOneColumbus LinkedIn: Bio-One Columbus Facebook: Bio-One Columbus
Denver, CO – Bio-One Inc. ranked #381 in Entrepreneur magazine’s 43rd annual Franchise 500®. This is the sixth year in a row that Bio-One has been included in the ranking.
A total of 1,177 companies met the requirements, and each franchise was given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points. The 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500® in ranking order.
“We’re grateful to be recognized by Entrepreneur for the sixth year in a row,” said Brian Brinegar, President of Bio-One Inc. “The ranking is a direct reflection of our growth, strength of our franchisees, and our ability to consistently deliver care and compassion to our clients.”
Succeeding 12 years of franchising, Bio-One has over 115 offices in more than 40 states with services that include crime and trauma scene cleaning, hoarding remediation, odor removal, sewage backups, and more. In 2021, Bio-One also ranked #1 in Entrepreneur’s Best of the Best for Crime-Scene Cleaning.
About Bio-One Inc.
Bio-One provides high quality decontamination and biohazard cleanup services while treating clients with the privacy and compassion that difficult moments demand. Bio-One services include suicide cleanup, homicide cleanup, hoarding remediation, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, feces removal, and more. Bio-One was first created in 2006 and began franchising in 2010. In 2021, Bio-One joined the Five Star Franchising portfolio. Five Star Franchising is a highly innovative conglomerate of franchisor brands with a mission to ensure its brands are top performers in technology, marketing, branding, and people. For more information about Bio-One, visit us at www.bioonecolumbus.com.
Inc. Magazine Reveals Annual List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies—the Inc. 5000
Denver, August 17, 2021 – Inc. magazine today revealed that Bio-One, Inc. is No. 2,476 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
“We’re honored to be recognized in the Inc. 5000,” said Brian Brinegar, president of Bio-One Inc. “The ranking is a direct reflection of our business model, and Bio-One’s unique ability to consistently deliver essential services with care and compassion.”
Not only have the companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but this year’s list also proved especially resilient and flexible given 2020’s unprecedented challenges. Among the 5,000, the average median three-year growth rate soared to 543 percent, and median revenue reached $11.1 million. Together, those companies added more than 610,000 jobs over the past three years.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc., which will be available on newsstands on August 20.
“The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis we’ve lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership, and the help of a whole lot of people.”
About Bio-One Inc.
Bio-One Inc. is the first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise, operating in over 39 states with 117 locations. Bio-One is committed to providing excellent service in recovery and suicide cleanup, homicide cleanup, hoarding situations, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, feces removal, pest and rodent droppings and much more. Each office is independently owned and operated by a member of the local community. For more information about becoming a Bio-One franchisee, visit bioonecolumbus.com.
More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000
Methodology
Companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2017 to 2020. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2017. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2020. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2017 is $100,000; the minimum for 2020 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to three decimal places. There was one tie on this year’s Inc. 5000. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000.
About Inc. Media
The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including web sites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Vision Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
For more information on the Inc. 5000 Vision Conference, visit https://conference.inc.com/.