County HomeMakers Inc. opened its 11th branch of the company in the state and the first branch in Lycoming County.
Lycoming County HomeMakers, 701 Allegheny St., Suite 15, Jersey Shore, is the newest office for the company that started in November, 2005.
"They're still a young company," Felishia Reich, regional service coordinator, said.
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ALYSSA MURPHY/Sun-Gazette
Mary Fryer, service coordinator for Clinton and Lycoming counties, Felishia Reich, regional service coordinator, and Heather Solomon, service coordinator for Northumberland County, stand in the Lycoming County HomeMakers office in Jersey Shore.
She said the need for the trained, non-medical home health care providers in the area became the reason for the office in Jersey Shore, which she said is a good location.
"It's 11 miles from Williamsport and 12 miles from Lock Haven," Reich said.
The branch will help people in Clinton, Lycoming and Tioga counties.
Fact Box
Lycoming County
HomeMakers
865-6466
countyhomemakers.com
701 Allegheny St.
Jersey Shore
The company serves disabled and elderly people. She said the ages of the service's clientele range from 21 to 103 years old. Services include bathing, grooming, housekeeping, and running errands.
"We'll do anything we can do to help them and keep them out of a nursing home," Reich said. "We'll keep them comfortable."
Normally the caretakers are not in the home 24 hours a day, but Reich said if that is what the patient needs, it is available. The caretakers are available whenever necessary. She said that could include staying in the house overnight so that a wife will not have to make sure her elderly husband does not roam at night or during the day to run errands.
Reich said clients also can call during the day just for someone to talk to them.
"They want someone to listen that their feet hurt," she said. "We'll remember and ask later."
Even though the branch just opened Dec. 12, Reich said they already are busy enough that they are looking into hiring more people, which she called challenging. They have to find people who love to talk to people, but also have a clean background.
What Reich loves best about home health care is the interaction.
"Helping people is the draw," she said. "At the end of the day, I feel accomplished. I get a thrill out of it. I know I'm helping."
Reich predicts the branch will do well because they have been busy so far.
"The cases have started to come through already," she said. "If that's any indication, this office should be extremely successful."
Reich said what separates them from other home health care providers is their determination to find a replacement if an aid is not available when a client needs someone. Even Reich said she has filled in when someone else was not available.
"You might have to wait an hour until we can get there," she said.
For Reich, the growth shows the company is on the right track.
"Eleven offices since 2005 is tremendous growth," she said. "They have to be doing something right. They're constantly adapting and growing. It falls into place."
For more information, call 865-6466 or visit countyhomemakers.com.
