Media, PA (May 19, 2010) – As a professional caregiving provider that offers services mostly to senior clientele, the Home Helpers offices of the Delaware Valley have been recognizing Older Americans Month throughout May with commemorative events and activities. This included sponsorship/participation in the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA)’s 8th Annual Centenarian Luncheon on May 11, which honored close to 45 centenarians. Home Helpers’ Media, PA, office was proud to have one of its centenarian clients, Mary Beck, attend that event with her caregiver.
Additionally, Home Helpers is a gold sponsor of the First Annual Montgomery County Centenarian Luncheon, a joint effort of Montgomery County’s Office of Aging and Adult Services and the Montgomery County Foundation, to be held in Lansdale on May 21. ACTS Retirement-Life Communities is the presenting sponsor of this event.
Home Helpers has offices throughout the U.S. and Canada, which employs fully-screened caregivers who are personally matched with elderly, ill or disabled clientele. The agency works with individual families to design a customized, ongoing care program that can help a senior live more safely and easily in his or her current residence, a hospice environment, or in a transition home from a nursing facility. Home Helpers of the Delaware Valley consists of agencies in Drexel Hill, Hellertown, Lansdale, Downingtown, Media, Newtown, and Philadelphia.
“We’re committed to senior citizens and their families, and are proud to celebrate this month in their honor,” said Tom Carroll, President of the Home Helpers Delaware Valley Co-op. “By providing services to the extended families of the many elderly residents in our area, we know first-hand how important they are.”
As We Age: For the Healthcare Professional
Learn why proper planning is critical to protecting ones independence and life’s work. This class is designed to introduce you to the tools needed to address aging patients and their families. We will cover three primary themes: legal planning, financial planning and caring for aging adults.
Tom Krupp (Home Helpers), Eric George (Esq.), Komal Date & Michelle Volm (New York Life)
Application for Nursing Contact Hours Submitted to PSNA
Newtown Campus/$49/WHPAH 0354 WB1/Wed, 6/16, 1-5 pm
As We Age
This five-hour course is for the consumer who is being faced with caring for the aging. Proper planning is necessary to protect independence and your life’s work. This course is designed to introduce the tools needed to address these concerns. The course covers three primary themes, legal planning, financial planning, and caring for the aging adult, that are of particular concern to seniors and their adult children.
Tom Krupp(Home Helpers), Eric George (Esq.), Komal Date& Michelle Volm (New York Life)
Newtown Campus/$49/RCEGN 8068 WB1/2 Tues, 6/8–6/15, 6:30–9 pm
To register call 215-968-8409/Fax 215-968-8321/www.bucks.edu/con-ed.
For more information call 215-968-8106 or 215-968-8316
» Download PDF Flyer for the event
Mary Beck and her Home Helpers’ Caregiver, Betty Ferguson are getting ready for Mary’s 102nd B-day in May, 2010.
The Home Helpers offices of Southeastern Pennsylvania are participating in The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) “Relay for Life” Saturday, June 5th beginning at noon & ending on Sunday, June 6th at noon.
Event Location:
Haverford Reserve
3500 Darby Road
Haverford, PA
Walk the Survivor Lap with us on Saturday, June 5th beginning at 5:15 p.m.
» Read the Events & Activities Schedule
» Learn More About Relay For Life Here
Home Helpers Is the Proud Presenting Sponsor of the 2010 4th Annual Dementia Care Conference.
» Learn More Here
Lansdale, PA, January 18, 2010 - The Lansdale office of Home Helpers®, known for the utmost in professional, compassionate and high quality non-medical, in-home care for seniors and others in need, recently had one of its caregivers receive the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Recognition Award, presented annually by the Alzheimer’s Association, Delaware Valley Chapter.
Pam Barresi, a caregiver with the Home Helpers’ Lansdale office, received the award today, January 18, 2010. The award is designed to recognize:
- The significant contributions of direct care nursing technicians, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs), nurse aides, nursing assistants, care nurses, support care workers, or in-home health workers, who provide outstanding service to persons with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
- Extraordinary acts of love and kindness that enhance or enrich the lives of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
- The proficient uses of talents in providing services to patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia that reside either in their own home or in a facility.
- Direct care nursing technicians who bring creativity and understanding to the difficult work they do.
According to Frank Esterle, one of the owners of the Lansdale Home Helpers office, “Pam stands out as the obvious nominee and subsequent recipient for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Recognition Award for many reasons. Pam has worked for our agency for just over one year, but in such a short time, she has made a profound difference in so many of our clients’ lives.”
Esterle continued, “I cannot think of a better example of understanding, compassion, and the delivery of outstanding care than that of which Pam consistently provides to her clients with Alzheimer’s disease.”
One particular client stands out in Barresi’s mind and heart − a gentleman named Mr. Shepherd or “Shep”. Pam became Shep’s caregiver when his agitation became troublesome for his wife and the staff of the continuing care retirement facility where he resided. Pam quickly established a rapport with Shep that no one in the facility was able to accomplish. Pam was the only caregiver initially who could shower him, change him, feed him and keep him calm. The staff quickly recognized this special bond, and they began to follow her lead and benefit from her successes. Pam became an advocate for Shep and trainer of other caregivers on how best to work with him. Pam developed strong relationships with the family members and the staff throughout the facility, even catching the attention of the Director of Nursing.
According to Barresi, “The connection was profound, and I really enjoyed seeing my “buddy, Shep” every day. It gave me great comfort and satisfaction to know I made a positive difference in Shep’s quality of life and provided help and peace of mind for not only him but his loved ones. I was honored to be there for him.”
Media, PA, 11/30/09 - Home Helpers®, known for the utmost in professional, compassionate and high quality non-medical, in-home care for seniors and others in need, has recently formed a co-operative agreement to better serve the Delaware Valley.
Formed with owners and offices in the following locations, Media (serving Western Delaware County, Eastern Chester County, and the Main Line), Drexel Hill (serving Eastern Delaware County and Lower Montgomery County), Lansdale (serving Bucks and Montgomery Counties), Philadelphia (serving Philadelphia County) and Chester Springs (serving Chester and Lancaster County), the Home Helpers Delaware Valley Co-Op is part of the national parent company, Home Helpers based in Cincinnati, OH.
In addition, the Home Helpers Delaware Valley Co-Op recently launched a new website, www.HomeHelpersPhilly.com, which not only provides an overview of the services, mission and unique offerings that makes Home Helpers the #1 choice for quality in-home care, but also features information, articles and resources to those caring for a loved one, and the professional referral audience.
Home Helpers primary mission is to offer a more complete and unique menu of services to help at each stage of the continuum of care to meet clients’ unique and highly personalized needs. With innovative programs like the Home Helpers Total Care Plan™ and the Home Helpers Client & Caregiver Matching Program™, clients have access to high quality, professional care that is tailored to a client’s needs and caregivers with the skills to provide the very best care.
Each caregiver employed by Home Helpers is an actual employee who undergoes a thorough Care Check system to provide unsurpassed care clients can count on – and trust. In addition, services like the Home Helpers Flexi-Rest Program and Rapid Response Program offer clients flexible programs for short-term help or help that is needed immediately, along with traditional longer-term care.
To learn more about the Home Helpers Delaware Valley Co-Op, and to see how they can help you and your loved ones when help is needed most, call (877) 464-9090 or visit www.HomeHelpersPhilly.com.
Media, PA, November 9, 2009 - Home Helpers®, known for the utmost in professional, compassionate and high quality non-medical, in-home care for seniors and others in need, recently held their National Conference in Orlando, FL. Recipients of two key awards were members of the recently formed Delaware Valley Co-op and included the Drexel Hill, PA and Chester Heights, PA offices. The other offices of the Delaware Valley Co-op include Lansdale, PA, Lancaster/Chester Springs, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
Michelle Brown and Andy Brown, of the Drexel Hill Home Helpers franchise, and the late Adam Brown who passed away in June 2009, were the recipients of the Direct Link® President’s Award. Direct Link is Home Helpers’ exclusive monitoring system for in-home use for individuals who live alone and need extra care.
“This award recognizes a franchisee that has consistently shown dedication and creativity in the continued growth of their business. They have strived to always provide excellent customer service and have proven to be a valuable member of their community,” said Emma Dickison, president of Home Helpers, during the ceremony.
John Squires, owner of the Chester Heights Home Helpers franchise, was the recipient of The Adam Brown Spirit of Home Helpers Award. This award recognizes a franchisee who exhibits the spirit of Home Helpers and Direct Link, while making significant contributions to the community and enhancing the overall mission of the company. The award was recently re-named The Adam Brown Spirit of Home Helpers Award to honor Adam Brown, an owner of the Drexel Hill, PA Home Helpers office who died suddenly earlier this year.
Dickison commented during the presentation in Orlando, “John Squires operates a highly successful business, while always maintaining a reputation of integrity and reliability. In addition to his business success, he continually gives back to the Home Helpers community by generously contributing his time and talent. John exemplifies the Home Helpers’ mission.”
To learn more about the Home Helpers Delaware Valley Co-Op, which serves Bucks and Montgomery counties, Lancaster, Chester Springs, Eastern Delaware County, Lower Montgomery County, Western Delaware County, Eastern Chester County, the Main Line and Philadelphia, and to see how they can help you and your loved ones when help is needed most, call (877) 464-9090 or visit www.HomeHelpersPhilly.com.
Chester Heights, PA, September 29, 2009 - When Dana and Lynn Sheeler were looking for a caregiver to help their mother who was battling emphysema, they found it was relatively easy to find one, but a lot harder to find the right one. With Lynn living in Florida and Dana nearby, but struggling to balance her own responsibilities along with Mom’s needs, the sisters needed real help – a dependable, experienced, and compassionate caregiver who could not only tend to their mother’s physical needs, but also, be the right fit for her personality and emotional needs.
Mildred Sheeler, Dana and Lynn’s mother, was battling the latter stages of emphysema in mid-2009 and was placed in a hospice program. Mildred was adamant that she wanted to stay in her home – a home that she loved and which was comfortable for her. Although both sisters did as much as they could for Mom, they couldn’t be there 24/7 and they truly wanted to honor their mother’s wishes to stay in her home.
The sisters decided it was time to get the help their mother needed and deserved. However, their first choice for in-home care turned out to be a huge disappointment when they inadvertently hired a registry service and not an actual agency. The recommendation to hire from a registry came from the hospice provider that was taking care of their mother. As Dana and Lynn later found out, registry employees are not actual employees, and do not have the rigid standards an actual agency employs with its caregivers, including stricter supervision, training, licensing and insurance, along with benefits that come along with full-time employment (insurance, workers’ compensation, etc.) for added security and protection.
“My sister Dana knew in about a half an hour that this woman was not the right fit for Mom,” recalls Lynn. “She took no initiative to get to know our Mom, didn’t even go into her room to see her – she just began to unpack. She completely lacked the experience and maturity, and more importantly, the compassion we were looking for.”
With the caregiver proving to be a bad recommendation from the hospice provider, one that their mother Mildred picked up on right away, Dana and Lynn let her go after only one day. That’s when they decided to give Home Helpers a call. Home Helpers is the leading provider of non-medical, in-home care for seniors and others needing special care. Lynn knew Home Helpers because she had worked for them prior to moving to Florida. In fact, Lynn was one of the first caregivers hired by the Chester Heights Home Helpers office, owned by John Squires. “We were more than happy to help Lynn and Dana with their mother’s needs and are grateful we could get the right caregiver for them almost immediately,” says Squires, “and Tom Carroll, our Director of Client Relations, always has just the right caregiver in mind based on a client’s needs and personality.”
Ida Seeyon, a caregiver with the Chester Heights office of Home Helpers, was placed by Tom Carroll the next day. “We saw an immediate and wonderful difference,” Lynn Sheeler happily recalls. “This woman was so much different, so genuine, and so compassionate – Dana and I were so pleased, and so was our mother. She and Ida got along famously and Ida made Mom so comfortable near the end of her life. Dana and I are very grateful.” In addition, Ida was in constant contact with Dana and had frequent contact with Lynn via the telephone.
Sadly, Mildred Sheeler passed away only a short time after Ida Seeyon became her caregiver. But Ida and Home Helpers left a legacy of compassion and care that followed even after Mildred’s passing. Lynn Sheeler recalls, “Dana even spoke about Ida at our mother’s memorial service and the wonderful care she provided. Home Helpers was there when Mom needed competent, dependable and most of all, compassionate care – at a very difficult time. We can’t say enough about Ida, John and Tom in the Chester Heights office of Home Helpers.”
To learn how Home Helpers can design a Total Care Plan™ specific to your needs, or to learn more about our full suite of services, please call us at (877) 464-9090 or visit us on the web at www.HomeHelpersPhilly.com.
Chester Heights, PA - June 24, 2009 - Thomas C. Carroll, a VP and partner with the Chester Heights, PA Home Helpers® office, was recently nominated for “Volunteer of the Year” by the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for his contributions to the development of their early on-site family caregiver program. He received the 2008 “Caring Hearts – Helping Hands” award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Carroll also facilitates a monthly Alzheimer Family Caregiver Support Group in the Chester Heights Home Helpers office. And, he was a major force behind Home Helpers contribution of over $10,000 to the Alzheimer’s Association as a Presenting Sponsor for their Annual Family Caregiver Conference.
Marilyn Dyson, the Association’s Support Group and Volunteer Services Coordinator for the Delaware Valley Chapter, read the following during the June 16th presentation of the awards:
“Every year the staff of the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter nominates exceptional volunteers. These people have made outstanding contributions to the Chapter. They support Memory Walk, advocacy, public relations and educational activities. Each one of them makes a difference not only in their world but for their community and the Delaware Valley as a whole. One person who is an outstanding volunteer is Tom Carroll. He has served the chapter for three years in various capacities.
“Tom has been an integral part of assisting the Chapter in the last two years. He helped to develop an increased support group presence in Delaware County and most recently served as a co-facilitator for the new Media Early Stage Support Group. He is also serving on the Chapter’s new Program and Services Advisory Committee. He has represented the Chapter at numerous speaking events, lending his Social Work expertise to educate our caregivers. For the past 2 years, Tom has secured more than $10,000 from his company, Home Helpers, for corporate sponsorship.”
Carroll is a partner and VP of Client Relations for the Home Helpers office in Chester Heights, PA which provides service to Western Delaware County, Eastern Chester County, and the Main Line. He is responsible for maintaining the quality of client care and developing programs to attract and retain the same level of Conscientious Caregivers that have made Home Helpers a leading provider of non-medical companion care. He joined the Home Helpers’ management team in 2006.
A licensed, Master's prepared Social Worker with over 15 years of experience in the field, Carroll has a wide variety of professional experience that includes expertise in the areas of child welfare, behavioral health, homecare and geriatrics. In addition he has had extensive training on the aging process and issues impacting the elderly, including Medicare and Medicaid. Most recently Carroll was the Triage Clinician for Crozer-Keystone Health System's (CKHS), Department of Senior Health Services where he was responsible for the Senior Support Line.