As many families gathered for the holidays this past year, bringing out-of-towners to celebrate with their aging parents and loved ones, Home Instead services have been requested at a higher rate than a year ago.

According to a Home Instead Inc. survey in January, one out of five Americans saw a noticeable decline in their aging loved one’s well-being while together for the holidays.

The survey also found that more than 90% of older adults want to age in their own home for as long as possible, which becomes challenging, and often dangerous, as cognitive and mobility changes occur with aging.

“It’s important that families look for and recognize these changes when spending time with the older adults they love,” Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, gerontologist and caregiver advocate for Home Instead Inc., an Honor Company, said in a prepared statement. “In our survey, one out of three people said they noticed changes but will wait to see if they get worse before doing anything to help. We urge families to act immediately if they notice someone is not quite as capable as they used to be, and ensure they are set up to safely thrive at home.”

Home Instead Cape Coral office owner John Ruehle said they have been open for 17 years this July serving the Cape Coral and North Fort Myers area. He said they have 63 care pros on staff and five folks that work in the office.

With the baby boomers getting older, as well as the heavy demand and influx of people seeking help, Ruehle said they could use another 25 to 30 care pros on the staff.

“We are definitely in need of more care pros willing and wanting to help seniors in need,” Ruehle said. “The more care pros we have the more people we can reach. We have quite a few clients – always open for more. We don’t want to just hire 100 care pros tomorrow – we want the right people to make good matches.”

The website, homeinstead.com, is the best place to go to fill out a questionnaire so the recruiter can schedule an interview. Individuals are also welcome to call the direct line at 239-541-4133.

“One of our biggest things with recruitment efforts is we don’t require certifications of any kind. Experience is great, it is not a requirement because we have paid ongoing training,” he said, adding that they will walk them through everything they need to know to succeed.

“Even if you have been experienced, you might come across someone with a certain illness, disease or physical disability. With over 17 years, there is not much we haven’t seen. We have been in most situations. It is comforting to know there is back-office support to go out there with you,” he said.

He said with Cape Coral being very seasonal, a good number of their clientele have families that do not live in the area, but rather up north, resulting in a lot of calls from their kids. Home Instead clientele also come from referrals from providers in the area – hospitals, case managers and assisted living.

“We are available 24/7. We get calls throughout the day. In January we received three times as many phone calls for service than the year before,” Ruehle said.

That increase stems from children coming down for the holiday and noticing a significant difference in their parents, leading them to seek a service to provide them with help.

One of the best services offered by Home Instead is companionship.

“Someone is there with you, someone to chat with,” he said.

Services can also include meal preparation, light cleaning and laundry.

“We tailor every service plan towards the client. Not everybody needs help with a shower. Where they might need help – taking them to the doctor, or grocery store,” Ruehle said.

To tailor the services needed, a care consultation is provided before service begins.

“It depends on the person and how willing they are to share what goes on in their daily life. We take that and tailor it,” he said. “The care pros go into it open minded because everyone is different, and they have to adjust to that person.”

In addition to the care pros, Ruehle said they work with the whole care team – families, neighbors, doctors. He said they work alongside Hospice, nurses, and occupational and physical therapists.

“We work with everybody to develop the best plan for each client,” he said, adding that they work as little as three days a week or 12 hours a week. “Anything less than that they don’t get the value of the services offered.”

Anita Farren joined Home Instead four years ago, as she has been taking care of people her whole life. She obtained her physical therapy degree but does not have a license.

“There was a car accident, father died and then COVID happened. Everything was nuts for a while. Meanwhile I still needed to pay the bills. My husband suggested this,” Farren said, as he told her she was good with people, compassionate and patient. “Home Instead was the first place I called.”

She said the job has become very rewarding, as she is another set of eyes and ears looking after someone to ensure their well-being.

“You go in with an open mind and positive attitude. You are a guest in their home, and you actively watch and listen to what needs to be done and you find ways to address the needs, or find resources to help those needs if it is out of the scope of what I can do,” Farren said.

The help she provides runs the gamut from working with people with disabilities, helping with hygiene, transferring a client from one spot to another, to providing companionship so someone is not alone.

She said if she notices any changes she alerts the company, and the relatives.

“If nobody cares about you, you lose motivation and interest. If someone is around that sees you on a regular basis, you will thrive more,” Farren said. “You become a part of the family most of the time. I have met some of the most wonderful, beautiful people in this job. They are so grateful to have hep, they treat me like family and that is the most wonderful thing.”

She said it is rewarding when she sees something or has done something to make a dramatic difference or impact.

“Actions create a ripple effect. Families have more quality time with their parents and siblings,” Farren said. “Some of the bonds I have made with the clients have changed my life because they taught me things I wouldn’t have learned in other situations.”