Business Spotlight: Home Helpers Home Care

Special to The Coweta Shopper

This month, Winters Media & Publishing visited with local business owner Beth Dow of Home Helpers Home Care of Newnan to learn more about her and husband’s (Phillip) Coweta County-based company.

Question: How many years have you been in business and what inspired you to start this business?

Beth: “Eighteen years ago, my job was to find homes for children who had been removed from their families. Simultaneously, I witnessed my aging family members struggling to stay in their homes due to dementia. One day, while lying on the couch, I thought I had the most original idea: home care for seniors to help them remain in their homes. Excited, I called a colleague and shared my ‘one-of-a-kind’ idea. She responded, ‘Oh, like Visiting Angels!’ Although my idea wasn’t as original as I thought, it was still a necessary service. A year later, I opened Home Helpers.”

Question: What is your background and how did you get into this career?

Beth: “Straight out of high school, I started working with Delta. I attended college but paused my education after having two children within two years. I resumed college at 30 while volunteering at a local hospice and earned degrees in social work and psychology.

Instead of hospice work, a professor guided me to a job in juvenile court. I later served as programming director and pastor at a church. Once my children graduated high school, we moved to the family farm in Lone Oak, and I began working to find homes for children.”

Question: Tell the readers about Home Helpers Home Care. What you do and what makes it special?

Beth: “Home Helpers provides in-home care for seniors who need extra help due to illness, injury, surgery, or aging. We offer care wherever our clients call home. Our staff is among the best trained in the industry, with hands-on CPR/First Aid training 3-4 times a month and monthly in-person education sessions in our fully equipped training room. Additionally, we offer online training. As a Dementia/Alzheimer’s Educator, I ensure that our staff thoroughly understands seniors with dementia.”

Question: What’s an interesting fact about your business that most people don’t know? 

Beth: “We’ve partnered with the VA for 16 years. A little-known benefit for veterans is that the VA covers in-home care. The number of hours provided depends on the veteran’s needs and any service-related disabilities. Without a service-related disability, veterans can still receive 9-16 hours of care per week. We serve many veterans seven days a week for 8 hours or more.”

Question: What’s the biggest challenge for Home Helpers in doing business today?

Beth: “Hiring is a significant challenge in our industry. Thankfully, with 17 years of experience and a stellar reputation for employee care, we’re a preferred employer. Another challenge is ensuring coverage if a caregiver can’t make a shift. To address this, Home Helpers employs three full-time Lead Care Professionals, capable of filling 120 hours of open shifts weekly, resulting in fewer missed shifts compared to other agencies.”

Question: When you are not working, what is your favorite thing to be doing?

Beth: “Travel and concerts are my favorite pastimes. My husband and I love to travel, whether it’s a long weekend getaway, a three-week journey down Route 66, or a cruise. When we’re in town, we enjoy attending as many local concerts as possible.”

Question: Are you hiring? If so, what positions and how does someone apply?

Beth: “We are always hiring CNAs and PCAs. Many of our caregivers have transitioned from hospitals or assisted living settings and enjoy the one-on-one care environment. We also welcome retirees and provide training for those with a heart for people but no experience. To apply, call 678-597-9510 and speak to Sheila.”

Question: What’s the best way folks can contact you for a Free Estimate?

Beth: “You can reach us at 678-876-5118, available 24/7. Alternatively, you can email me at [email protected].”