Wells Fargo, the US bank recently purchased by Wachovia, is expanding its private arm’s Elder Services programme to Chicago. The programme offers a comprehensive set of financial, personal and life management services to help clients maintain their independence and quality of life.

It combines wealth management and estate services with life management assistance to help mature clients with everything from loss of a spouse to mobility and health problems.

"Seniors often live far from relatives, and even when they're close by, relatives may find personal and financial management challenging. This all-encompassing service can put everyone's mind at ease," said Keith Klovee-Smith, national manager of Wells Fargo Elder Services.

Elder Services specialists coordinate their client's financial and life management needs. Staff members work closely with that client's own attorney, accountant, insurance specialist, and healthcare company to plan financial and life management services from estate settlement and investment monitoring to buying groceries.

The program’s relationship team also works with the client to establish a schedule for regular check-ins to address their changing needs. Aging adults are often targets for abuse, making the team's regular check-in calls and visits a significant benefit to clients, according to Allison Getz, who will lead the Elder Services programme in Chicago.

The programme benefits clients' children by offering continuous, in-person support and keeping distant family updated according to the client's wishes. Wells Fargo also helps clients and family members resolve sensitive issues, such as moving into retirement homes or planning funerals.

Chip Flannagan, head of Wells Fargo Private Bank in Chicago, said client interest was a primary factor in introducing Elder Services there.

"Traditional trust groups, financial institutions, and law firms are not structured to support the depth and variety of services we offer," he added.

Launched in 1999, Wells Fargo Private Bank's Elder Services programme has locations in 15 US states.

Wells Fargo Private Bank and private client services provide teams of local professionals who advise affluent clients on financial issues, and provide them with investment management, private banking, trust and estate, insurance and brokerage services through Wells Fargo Investments. The Wells Fargo Wealth Management Group oversees more than $247 billion in assets.