Page 4 - January 7, 2014
25 Years of TLC Since 1989, TLC Caregivers, a partner with the Council on Ageing of Northwest Florida, has served Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, providing senior citizens with an array of non-medical services in the comfort of their homes while encouraging them to be active and independent. Clients are paired with caregivers based on client needs and schedules, as well as the characteristics expertise of the caretakers. “Continuing our impactful reach outside the homes of our patients is something we are passionate about and strive to do on a daily basis [,]” the company states on their website. “With regular speaking engagements at hospitals, medical groups and civic organizations, we are able to educate and advocate for the needs of our community’s senior and disabled citizens.” Don Gaetz, former president of the Florida Senate and current Okaloosa County senator, acquired the business in 1997. He has been involved with hospice care and hospital administration since the 1970s and is the cofounder of VITAS Healthcare. To celebrate 25 years of care and service, Lou Donaldson, a company administrator, said that it was time to give back to the people that make TLC Caregivers run, awarding employees raises and bonuses. “They’re an amazing group of people, and without their input, we would not have been in business 25 years,” Donaldson said. “And it was very, very important in this economy to give money back to the employee.” While anywhere from 120-130 licensed and accredited professionals will staff the company, 170 employees would be instrumental in providing optimal care, Donaldson said. As the business has grown, so has its direction when it comes to clientele. TLC’s services are offered in five packages, encompassing personal and respite care, companionship, homemaking and even child care. These services, though mainly geared toward senior citizens and physically and mentally challenged patrons, are available for whoever needs them. For instance, the Respite Care package is unique in that even though it features several of the things that come with the Personal Care set (i.e. meal preparation, bathing, toileting, dressing), it accommodates regular family caregivers as well as their charges, giving those caregivers a much-needed break. While the Companionship service offers assistance with eating, bathing, meal preparation and the like, the caregiver focuses on socializing with the client and seeing that they accomplish their daily goals. Another interesting company aspect is that it has special clearance to provide their clients with hands-on care (bathing, for instance). Donaldson explained that several years ago, organizations like TLC Caregivers had to register to become a home health agency in order to make such help available to the public. TLC is one of only 12 similar non-medical organizations to be granted this exemption. Not only can TLC, further cementing itself as a solutions company, offer this kind of personal, specialized attention, they can do so at one-fourth of the usual cost, charging anywhere from $15.85-$18.85 per hour, Donaldson said. With a diverse collection of services and an expanded focus and identity, TLC Caregivers is poised to increase its reach, as well as its local and regional notoriety. Not surprisingly, this success only amplifies the caregivers’ drive to gauge and
The Summation Weekly