Seniors, new moms and busy parents, people recovering from surgery, or other adults needing assistance will find a helping hand through a new-to-the-area provider of companion and personal care services.
Laingsburg resident Deb Moerland opened
FirstLight Home Care in mid-July after she saw an increasing need for caregivers to step in and help with everything from household duties like cooking, cleaning and running errands; to mobility assistance and dementia care; to personal, companion and respite care. Non-medical care can be arranged for one day a week for two to four hours all the way up to around-the-clock. Services are provided at private residences, assisted living or retirement communities, or adult-family or group homes.
"We're also here to serve moms who need help around the house," says Moerland. "I've been a mom, so I know it can sometime get overwhelming."
Moerland decided to open a FirstLight franchise after working several years as an online college instructor following a career as a high school teacher. Thinking back to her years in the classroom, she realized she liked the personal interaction, and decided that her next step would be a business based on helping people.
"I just want to be able to help others," says Moerland. "People can get so overwhelmed sometimes and just need a little help. Also, I want to provide a way for older people to stay in their homes as long as they can."
Moerland's FirstLight franchise created two office jobs in the 876-square foot office at 4125 Okemos Road. She also hired and trained seven local caregivers.
FirstLight Home Care is a non-medical in-home care provider with a network of offices that provides care for more than 2,500 clients in more than 30 states. Because of high demand, Moerland anticipates creating up to 100 caregiver jobs through the Okemos franchise in the upcoming year.
Source: Deb Moerland, Owner, FirstLight Home Care Lansing
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
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