New business offers help for those caring for seniors

Sparta — Randi Sokoloff, of Sparta, has created a new business designed to help senior citizens seeking assistance to maintain independence in their homes. A Helping Hand at Home, a licensed and bonded home care agency, provides individualized services including companionship, light housekeeping and transportation. “We can take the worry and stress out of dealing with the challenges of everyday living,” said Sokoloff. “There are many companies that provide in-home health care or therapy for patients who need it. That’s not what we do.” Sokoloff said, “My caregivers are not expected to provide any medical care. They don’t administer medications, although they do remind their clients to take prescribed medication at the proper intervals. They don’t do physical therapy but can offer a stabilizing arm to enable a client to navigate stairs or go for a walk.” Helping Hands can make the beds, change the sheets, prepare a light meal, or do the shopping. What they offer is the support clients need to be confident and comfortable at home and, if they wish, the means to get out into the world — to shop, to see friends, to get where they need to go when driving themselves is not an option. Sokoloff began her business after 18 years in corporate human resources. “I discovered that many of my employees were having problems in the workplace due to the challenges of dealing with elderly parents,” she said. “Sometimes, it was a family member or close friend coping with a serious illness or chemo-therapy. They needed help and there were so few affordable options I could offer them. When I looked for ways to use my skills and expertise in a new way, I decided that this was a need I could fill.” In a meeting with prospective clients and their families, Sokoloff assesses their needs and meticulously matches each client with the caregiver best suited to the client’s requirements and personality. Many of Sokoloff’s caregivers are folks who have had personal experience caring for a family member, neighbor, or friend. Each has been carefully screened and trained. Sokoloff can also provide a variety of client advocacy and support services and is an authorized partner with Alert 1 Medical Alert Systems. Helping Hand is recruiting caregivers A Helping Hand at Home is currently recruiting caregivers to meet the needs of a growing client base in Sussex, Warren, Morris and northern Passaic counties. Caregivers can choose their own schedules of availability. “It is the perfect part-time job for mothers, college students, or the recently-retired and full-time work is also possible,” said Sokoloff. “Clients can request services for a minimum of three hours up to 24 hours a day, once or twice a week or every day. We are very flexible.” Clients or families seeking services can call Sokoloff at 866-456-8070 or by email at Randi@ahelping-handathome.com. Those interested in learning more about the employment opportunities with A Helping Hand at Home can call the Job Line at 973-864-4288. For more information visit www.ahelping-handathome.com.