BEST IN HOME CARE

For 20 years, Home Helpers® Home Care of Hinsdale has made it possible for people to recover from injury or age in place gracefully.

Brian Davis was attending a funeral in Milwaukee for the mother of his friend, Brad, about seven years ago when a very special woman in the audience was singled out in the crowd.

She wasn’t a family member or even a close friend. The woman was Brad’s mother’s lead caregiver—the person who may have bathed her, made sure she had healthy food to eat, and helped her age in place with dignity and grace.

It was an “a ha” moment for Davis, who had just acquired Hinsdale-based Home Helpers® Home Care from a couple in Western Springs.

“A light bulb went off in my head because that’s what this is really about,” he says. “It makes me emotional just thinking about it.”

Founded 20 years ago to serve Hinsdale and the western suburbs, Home Helpers® Home Care provides in-home care for seniors, individuals with disabilities or illness, or those recovering from injury or surgery.

Davis, who is supported in the business by his wife, Dominica, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, says the quality of their team of more than 100 compassionate caregivers and office staff is the secret to their success.

“We celebrated our 20th anniversary in April and our team just rated No. 1 in Illinois for caregiving and client satisfactions,” says Davis, who left his position as Chief Marketing Officer at Edward-Elmhurst Health to acquire the company.

However, there is a nuance to at-home care that he wasn’t quite expecting. It’s both personal and emotional.

“When Dominica and I took over Home Helpers® of Hinsdale, we knew that our team could make a difference in the community,” says Davis, explaining that in addition to serving as Senior Consultant, Dominica is a Social Worker at Hinsdale Middle School. “What we didn’t realize is that our caregivers would also care for the parents of dozens of our friends and acquaintances. My mother-in-law is even a client. She loves her caregiver and says she ‘was sent by God.’”

While in-home care is available for those who are recovering from surgery or a short-term illness, it’s a resource most often utilized by families to provide extra care for an aging parent or someone who is suffering from chronic illness such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or heart or lung disease.

“Home care helps older adults age comfortably in place in the homes they love,” Davis explains, adding that sometimes that home is a senior living community. “Nine out of 10 seniors want to stay wherever they call home. They don’t want to have to move if they can help it.”

This one-on-one care can include anything from assistance with bathing and dressing to medication reminders to meal preparation. In-home caregivers are also on standby for assistance with walking and fall prevention, as well as up to 24/7 care.

“All of these together help keep the senior healthier and out of the hospital,” he adds.

It can also be a game changer for families.

“Families become families again,” says Davis, explaining that if the children of an aging parent don’t have to bear all of the caregiving duties, it allows them to spend more quality time. “Instead, now they’re coming to hang out with Mom and Dad, tell stories, or take them to church. It’s a beautiful thing.”

For more information about Home Helpers® Home Care, visit homehelpershomecare.com/hinsdale or call 630.323.7231.