New Fallon Business Offers In-home Care Services

FALLON (Tuesday, April 11, 2006) - Shelly Jewell, a licensed social worker in the state of Nevada, saw the need for home care in Fallon and the outlying areas and opened CareMinders Home Care in Fallon in February.

CareMinders Home Care is a nationwide home care company and each franchise is locally owned and operated.

After 26 years in the healthcare industry, Jewell saw an opportunity to offer non-medical, in-home care to elderly and recuperating clients. She said she chose to locate here because Fallon's elderly population is increasing and will benefit from home care services.

CareMinders offers two levels of care for their clients. The first level is Companion Care Services which include socialization, friendship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, assistance with appointments and daily check-ins.

The second level of care is called Personal Care Services and is provided by a licensed certified nursing assistant. This level includes assistance with personal care, dressing, eating, medication monitoring, exercise assistance and vital sign monitoring.

"The goal is for elderly clients to maintain their independence and quality of life in home for as long as possible," Jewell said.

She pointed out that, unlike private duty caregivers, her employees have been fingerprinted and have had a background check. The company is licensed, bonded and pays into the state workman's compensation program.

When a client is interested in home care, Jewell will go to their home and perform a psychological, social and safety assessment and devise a care plan.

"Sometimes the elderly will mask the problems," she said. She explained that often elderly parents will keep their deteriorating problems hidden from well-meaning family members.

Jewell also said sometimes after concerned family members have signed up an elderly client, that client will call and cancel services after the family members have left town.

"That's the hardest part Ð when elderly clients are hesitant to accept any help," she said. She said that if they continue to refuse help, they may end up injured and in the hospital with more limited choices for their care.

CareMinders Home Care also offers respite care for caregivers who need a break.

"Caregiving is 24/7. It's very tiring," Jewell said.

Jewell said there is no time limit or minimums for the care provided.

"We try to be flexible to the needs of the community," she said.

She said that most callers to CareMinders are children or spouses of elderly people who need help in providing care. She also helps educate families about diseases, like Alzheimer's, even when they may be in denial about a loved one's declining health.

"My goal is to provide a service for the community and act as an advocate for the elderly," Jewell said.

When the time comes, CareMinders can also assist placing clients in skilled nursing facilities.

Currently, Jewell has eight clients in Fallon, Fernley, Silver Springs, Dayton and Sparks.

"It's been great," Jewell said about her first few months in business in Fallon. She said she has plans to expand CareMinders to other northern Nevada locations in the future.

CareMinders Home Care is located at 37 Whitaker Lane and can be reached at 775-423-0616.

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