For Papa's Sake Brings One-on-One Care to Chicago Northwest Suburbs Seniors

Compassionate, one-on-one care is more than modus operandi at For Papa’s Sake Home Care; for the Arlington Heights-based home care provider, it is a way of life.

Patch: What inspired you to open For Papa’s Sake Home Care?

For Papa’s Sake: Both of our parents were in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. While we were visiting our parents, we felt so much heartbreak for the residents around us that didn’t have loved ones or a helping hand. We kept thinking there had to be a better way to care for our seniors and loved ones. After my father passed, we decided to open For Papa’s Sake to create lemonade from our very sour lemons. The grandkids dotingly referred to my dad as "Papa," so our mission is to honor him and our loved ones every single day.

Patch: What makes a great home care experience? How does For Papa's Sake Home Care distinguish itself from the competition?

For Papa’s Sake: Being family-owned and operated, we are able to create a culture based solely on family. Since we went through this ourselves, we know how challenging it can be to find care for your loved one. Our focus is not only to improve the life of the client, but also improve the life of the entire family. We also are very selective with our caregivers, which we call Papa’s Pearls. We call them pearls because a pearl is unique, rare and precious. We take the time to match the clients with the right caregiver based on personality and skill set.

Patch: For Papa's Sake Home Care belongs to a number of great groups, including The Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, The Home Care of America Association and the Illinois Continuity of Care Association. How are these connections important to For Papa's Sake Home Care?

For Papa’s Sake: Being a part of these great organizations helps us stay current with new laws and regulations. We are very mindful of what the state of Illinois requires, and being a part of these organizations helps us go above and beyond the minimum requirement. Being part of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce has been wonderful because it allows us to connect with other local businesses in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.

Patch: If you had to recommend one book, what book would it be?

For Papa’s Sake: As we were starting For Papa’s Sake Home Care, I remember reading Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz. It related directly to why we started the business. It’s remarkable that a single store on Seattle's waterfront grew into a company with over 1,600 stores and growing every single day. What inspired me the most was how Starbucks has managed to keep their commitment to overall excellence and employee satisfaction even as they continued to grow. The book inspires me every day, reminding me that, if your heart is in it for the right reasons, everything else will fall into place.

Patch: What's your definition of success?

For Papa’s Sake: Success is receiving a call from a client or family member of a client saying how happy they are with our services. Our goal is to lift the burdens of everyday life from our clients and their families. When we get those calls, it makes our day and reaffirms why we are in this business. Success is also hearing from a caregiver how rewarding their job is. Just the other day, I was speaking with a caregiver, and he told me how honored he was to be to paired with his client. He mentioned this was the first time in his life that he was excited to go to work every day. This makes our job even more rewarding when we know both the client and caregiver are mutually happy.

Patch: What advice would you give to someone looking for home care?

For Papa’s Sake: The biggest piece of advice we can give someone is to do your due diligence. Make sure you do your research, and interview several companies as every company is different. Make sure the company you go with is bonded, licensed and insured along with ensuring their caregivers are well trained and extensive background checks are conducted. Go into the interviews with questions and concerns, and pick the agency that makes you and your loved ones feel most at ease and comfortable. It’s important to follow your gut and go with a company you trust.

Patch: For readers unaware of what home care involves, can you give us a snapshot of your services?

For Papa’s Sake: Every home care agency may offer different services, but For Papa’s Sake Home Care is a non-medical home care service that aims to keep seniors and physically challenged individuals safe at home. Whether the client is a high fall risk, not getting proper nutrition, needs help with medication reminders or simply needs companionship, we can do it all. In addition, we offer light housekeeping, which includes laundry, running errands, driving to doctor appointments and personal care/bathing assistance. Every situation has unique needs, so we try to learn more about the client before putting together a care plan. We know people thrive in their own home surrounded by their cherished possessions. Our goal is to keep people at home for as long as possible.

Patch: How can readers contact you to learn more about For Papa's Sake Home Care?

For Papa’s Sake: We can be reached at (847) 873-0234 or ellen@forpapassake.com. Also, feel free to stop by our office at 3403A N. Kennicott Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. We always have the coffee pot on.

Photo courtesy of For Papa’s Sake