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When a loved one requires care but the family is separated by oceans, military service, or covert operations, the emotional toll is undeniable. Distance can bring out feelings of helplessness and worry and often a desperate need for reliable, on-the-ground support. With geopolitical tensions, military obligations, and even separations like the recent pandemic, families across the world face rising barriers to staying close and responsive to their elderly members who need them. For many, it is anxiety-inducing and a reminder of how valuable trustworthy care can be.
Understanding these situations, Sonja Kobrin, M.P.S., and her husband David Kobrin founded V.I.P. Care Management, Inc., a premier family-centered care management service. Based in Florida but operating as a lifeline for the U.S. to other countries such as Israel and beyond, the organization addresses a specific, nuanced need – supporting distant families and ensuring their loved ones’ safety, dignity, and well-being despite physical and logistical barriers. “The essence of what we do is give peace of mind to families, knowing their loved ones are safe even when they can’t be there themselves,” Sonja explains. Her recent certification as a licensed professional Guardian in Florida has further expanded her scope, placing her among the few equipped to take on guardianship if the situation calls for it.
However, V.I.P. Care Management is unique in its flexibility and preemptive approach. Unlike many agencies that work strictly through legal guardianship or power of attorney roles, Sonja’s team meets families where they are, structuring support according to each client’s unique needs and anxieties. “We have a proactive approach, preparing for possible needs before they arise.”
For families in the Israeli military or those engaged in classified government work, Sonja’s services are a rare gift. She shares a recent case of one Israeli client engaged in covert operations: “I won’t hear from them during their assignments, and I may only know where they are when they resurface. But knowing that I am here, consistently providing support for their loved ones, gives them peace of mind to focus on their mission.”
This profound level of trust is what separates V.I.P. Care Management from other providers. In uncertain times, when families in Israel worry not only about the well-being of their elderly but about whether they may be forced to evacuate or face financial strain, V.I.P. Care Management becomes a surrogate, a trusted liaison that carries both practical and emotional weight. For example, Sonja recounts a recent case involving an Israeli client who supported a family member in Florida. As conflict escalated in their home country, the client’s ability to provide financial support was put into question, making them fear for their loved ones’ future stability. Sonja helped the family apply for U.S. government benefits as a contingency plan, offering relief in a time of great uncertainty.
For the elderly person left behind, aware of the distance and knowing the strains their family might face, the guilt can sometimes complicate the need for help. “They don’t want to feel like a burden, and it’s my role to offer emotional support, allowing them to depend on me without added worry,” she says. In times of separation, particularly with complex cultural or regulatory differences, this reassurance from a compassionate and capable professional is invaluable.
For Sonja, this work isn’t merely covering liability or adhering to the most conservative policies. “I believe people need what they need. To me, it’s about providing essential support, and I’m willing to take on the risk of making a call in an emergency even if there isn’t time for the usual formalities,” she emphasizes. She recalls the urgent financial decision she made on behalf of an Israeli client during the early days of the recent conflict: “Ordinarily, I’d get everyone on the phone first. But this time, it couldn’t wait. The situation called for immediate action, and I was prepared to shoulder that responsibility.”
For many clients, this commitment also extends to pre-planning arrangements. If a need is anticipated, V.I.P. Care Management coordinates with families to establish healthcare surrogates, voluntary guardianships, and other authorizations. This foresight enables the organization to act swiftly and decisively when clients are unavailable, ensuring that both medical and financial needs are handled with maximum care. As Sonja puts it, “Pre-planning is to prepare for the unknown, and when you’re dealing with separated families, that preparation becomes invaluable.”
The V.I.P. Care Management team has been at the forefront of care management like a ‘touchstone’ for over three decades now, but Sonja’s willingness to work especially with families separated by oceans or duties is what sets her apart. Her experience with Israeli clients, particularly those impacted by military and covert service, gives her a unique understanding of what families endure during prolonged or indefinite separations. In such cases, this organization is more than just a logistical solution for families; it’s an emotional and psychological anchor, making pre-planned arrangements, handling unexpected crises, and working to remove as many barriers as possible. “Our industry often avoids risk, but I believe that being OVERLY cautious means ignoring critical needs. Our clients need someone willing to take on responsibility, even when the legal framework is less defined,” she explains. “Being there for my clients in any situation—that’s my commitment to them”
As an industry leader, Sonja Kobrin’s approach highlights the need for flexibility and preemptive care management. With a willingness to bridge cultural and logistical divides and a deep respect for her clients’ trust, she exemplifies what it means to provide compassionate, anticipatory care in times of heightened uncertainty. And in times like these, the trust she provides is nothing short of a lifeline.
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