New home care services for seniors coming to Lancaster County

When elder caregiver Nichole Jones saw her first client gain weight, she knew she had what it took to change lives for the better.

Jones, who has previously worked at area senior health facilities, once helped a prostate cancer survivor gain nearly 50 pounds before he eventually passed away.

Now, Jones is hoping to bring her method of care for the elderly to Lancaster County as the manager of Home Helpers Homecare & Direct Link. The facility, located on South Main Street in Lancaster, will be given a grand opening ribbon-cutting by the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Aug. 1. The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, as well as Lancaster city and county government officials are expected to participate in the celebration at the new facility at 108 S. Main St.

Jones, who’s been working in healthcare services for the past 12 years, says homebound care is crucial for those living in rural areas.

“They don’t want to be thrown into a nursing home when they can stay in the comfort of their own home,” said Jones. “I want to build the trust in those relationships, in the home healthcare business.”

Home Helpers is a national brand which serves over 600 communities across North America, according to its website, and currently offers facilities in South Carolina, including Columbia, Bluffton and Greer.

Jones said she wants to bridge the gap between clients in rural areas and their access to reliable services, medication and transportation. Many elders are unaware of their options for home bound care, she said, and often feel cut off from society.

Barbara Robinson, executive director of the Catawba Area Agency on Aging, said seniors often have mobility or transportation issues that limit their ability to go to the grocery store, fill their prescriptions or travel around town.

Among other areas, Jones’ facility hopes to provide companion care, light housework, nanny service and a Direct Link kit, which includes vital sign monitoring.

“It’s very crucial in rural America,” said Robinson, who leads a resource center serving Chester, Lancaster, Union and York counties. “They may be isolated, with no family nearby, and home care in a lot of cases, become the alternative of how people need to live. It helps them maintain their independence, especially when no family is around.”

As of the most recent Census data, Lancaster County had an estimated 2014 population of 83,160, including a 3.3 percent growth rate from 2013 to 2014.

The data shows that nearly 18 percent (13,770) of those living in Lancaster County are 65 or older.

Jones is hoping to extend her services to those who have sight, hearing or speech impairments. Often, she said, agencies are less able to handle those cases. She and her three fellow caregivers are all able to use American Sign Language (ASL), which Jones said helps her clients feel more connected.

Robinson believes homebound care agencies will become crucial as the “baby boomer” generation continues to age.

According to the Administration for Community Living, nearly 22 percent of the U.S. population is expected to be 65 or older, compared to the 14.5 percent figure measured in 2014.

“They may find that it’s more economically efficient to stay in homes, rather than nursing home environments,” said Robinson. “Some will have limited resources, and they can’t pay for the services they might need, and there’s never going to be enough public funding to pay for that.”

Jones is hoping the personal touch — a possible trip to the mountains to pick cabbages and apples this fall is being discussed — will help foster business and relationships.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Jones.

This story was originally published July 26, 2016 at 2:06 PM with the headline "New home care services for seniors coming to Lancaster County."