The phrase “elevating the human spirit” is not just a catchy tag line, it is a daily mission for the employees of Comfort Keepers.
The organization, which serves Florence, Sumter, Columbia, Mount Pleasant and Summerville, specializes in providing nonmedical home-care services for a wide range of clients. Each caregiver, or “comfort keeper,” employed by the company is required to complete a lengthy training process to ensure the highest quality of care.
According to Ashley Turner, marketing and community relations liaison, many people do not realize that it is possible to obtain nonmedical home-care services for their elderly or disabled loved one.
“A lot of people don’t know that nonmedical in-home care exists,” Turner said. “And many people don’t know that we provide short-term services as well as long-term care.”
These services range from meal preparation, personal care services, light housekeeping and transportation to doctors’ appointments. Additional options include grocery shopping, errands and laundry services.
These services are available to anyone, regardless of age. A client does not need to be over the age of 65 to utilize the services.
Comfort Keepers places a special emphasis on the importance of conversation and companionship. Caregivers are available to engage in conversation or to sit down to share a meal with their clients. This is particularly beneficial because social contact is proven to enhance the overall quality of life of homebound individuals.
Turner also emphasized that the independent living services provided by Comfort Keepers can help clients remain comfortable in their homes.
“Oftentimes, the person needing the services does not want them,” Turner explained. “They view it as them losing their independence. But our goal is not to take independence away but to give independence back.”
Comfort Keepers also strives to aid its clients in staying healthy and safe at home. These types of services can range from medication reminders to mobility assistance to 24-hour home care.
“Our seniors don’t want to go into assisted living,” Turner said. “This is definitely a different option for keeping people at home longer.”
Comfort Keepers acknowledges that every client has unique care needs. As a result, the company carefully tailors each client’s care plan to provide the perfect blend of independent living services.
Depending on each client’s needs, Comfort Keepers can provide a few hours of service a week to full-time care. Through its 24-hour care service, a team of “comfort keepers” coordinates caregiving responsibilities in shifts around the clock.
“When people sign up for services, the client can be really reluctant,” Turner said. “Most people view it as us coming in and saying, ‘they’re going downhill from here,’ but that’s not the case at all.”
Comfort Keepers also offers veterans care programs. Veterans or their surviving spouses may qualify for benefits through the Veterans Administration. Comfort Keepers will assist in the application process and provide services for approved participants.
Lastly, Comfort Keepers offers a full range of specialized care services, including dementia and end-of-life care. The company can support the family directly or work in partnership with a hospice agency or medical provider to meet the family’s needs.
For more information on Comfort Keepers, visit www.comfortkeepers.com.
