Business tackles need for caregivers at home
ASHLAND An Ashland woman learned the hard way how difficult it is taking care of loved ones when they're ill.
With many years of experience in health care, Mandy Kidwell took care of her husband of her husband, Merle, when he died of cancer.
'It gave me a whole different perspective,' she said.
Since then, she's bought a franchise in Hallmark Homecare, a California-based business that recruits experienced caretakers looking for work and those needing help in their home. Kidwell said she matches caregiver and client based on geographic location and needs and can continue as a liaison between worker and client.
After a week of training at the corporate offices, Kidwell started the local business in September and currently has six caregivers and five clients.
Different caregivers bring different skills and qualifications to the table, but Kidwell said corporate rules say each must have at least two years of experience. Kidwell said she prefers to hire those with at least five years of experience. She said she also expects verifiable, professional references and she does background checks. Help available includes dementia care, companion care, assistance in daily living skills, personal care, light housework, meal preparation, transportation to appointments and grocery stores.
The business will cover territories from Ashland to Mount Sterling, with towns across the Ohio River included. Cost is $22 to $25 an hour, depending on the level of experience of the caregiver; no extra charge is paid for the service of matching client to caregiver. Kidwell said there also are live-in options that might be cheaper than per hour.
So far, one of her caregivers is a man, but she said she hopes more men will apply. In fact, she's hoping to recruit many more caregivers, as well as clients.
For more information
Hallmark Homecare, is a private pay business matching clients to caregivers. To reach owner Mandy Kidwell, call (606) 775-0308.
Kidwell has been an occupational therapist for last 20 years. She also has worked in First Steps, an early intervention program through the state for children with developmental delays or disabilities and she was a cofounder of the local nonprofit I Believe Foundation.
She said she believes services like Hallmark Homecare are crucial.
'I think it's a desperate need,' she said. 'As a country, the way we take care of the elderly needs a lot of work. Medicare doesn't pay for any type of in-home caregiving services. Medicaid goes, but it comes with a waiting list.'
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