Business of Care Franchisee Spotlight

In honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, during the month of September we are spotlighting stories our franchisees have shared on how their businesses are part of the “Business of Care.” For more information on how you can be part of the business care, visit our Franchise Website.

“Our client, Jane, loves horses. She likes the scary rides at amusement parks. She enjoys parties and doing activities with her church. Jane also has a developmental disability that requires her to have some assistance in order for her to live independently.

Rejeanna and Mike help Jane live her everyday life. The two of them have been working with Jane for a couple years, and all 3 have grown quite close. They arranged a birthday party for Jane in which some of her friends and other Caregivers attended. They took her to Cedar Point, an amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, and rode roller coasters with Jane. Rejeanna took Jane to the Columbus Zoo. Mike took Rejeanna to Consumer Cellular to upgrade her flip phone to a smart phone. He also set her up on Facebook so she could communicate with her friends.

Ten years ago, Jane was assaulted by a maintenance man in her apartment and has since had severe anxiety being alone with men. Mike has been the first man since the incident Jane has felt comfortable being around. As a result, Mike stayed late when the cable man came to ensure that Jane wasn’t uncomfortable.

The county reimburses us to sit with Jane and take her to appointments, but our staff does so much more than that. Mike and Rejeanna have formed a true bond with Jane, and she has become good friends with both of them. She trusts them as if they were her own family. And most importantly, Mike and Rejeanna have included Jane in their lives and have enriched hers in the process. We don’t provide “sitters” or “nurse aides”; we become people’s families. Jane is now safely living on her own, and she has more self-confidence and lives a more fulfilling life than she has in the past. And our reward is seeing Jane’s face light up when Mike or Rejeanna walk into the room.”

—Jon Hersh, Homewatch CareGivers of Columbus, Ohio