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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
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A Caregiver’ s
Mission to Help Others Age In Place— AT HOME
According to the AARP in 2021, 77 % of adults over age 50 would prefer to age in place, living independently as long as possible. The number of elderly entering nursing homes has steadily decreased over the past two decades. Back in 2001, services designed to help seniors live safely and happily in their homes barely existed.
At that time, Stacey L. Perry was in the midst of escaping her corporate career to pursue her true passion: helping the elderly. Raised by her grandmother and surrounded by older adults, Stacey felt a natural pull to give back to those who had spent decades caring for loved ones.
She began offering home care services to older adults, providing services to allow elderly people to keep their independence with a bit of help. This included hygiene and dressing assistance, light housekeeping, and transportation to appointments.
One day, she dropped off brochures at St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh’ s Lawrenceville neighborhood( now the site of Children’ s Hospital). The social workers had never seen anyone offer such services.
“ The next day I got a phone call, and it was for a woman who was in the hospital and needed someone to take care of her cat and dog. She had no family,” Stacey recalled.“ There was nobody to call on for stuff like that. Word of mouth got out, and the next thing I knew, I had a full plate.”
Guardian Angel Home Care Services, Inc. grew to meet a critical need, becoming one of Allegheny County’ s first home care service providers. Nearly 25 years later, while the industry has expanded with numerous chains, Guardian Angel remains true to its original mission— to allow elderly individuals to live in their own homes with dignity, compassion, and companionship.
A family-owned business, Guardian Angel Home Care Services creates personalized care plans based on each client’ s needs and priorities. It offers many different services, including personal care, companionship, home help, Alzheimer’ s and dementia care, hospice support, and transportation. Stacey prioritizes putting decisionmaking in the hands and voice of the clients( or their advocate), allowing them to maintain their independence and dignity.
“ We are not a franchise, so we do not follow any kind of corporate model or cookie-cutter approach. Everything we do is designed based on our clients’ needs and that gives us the flexibility to add that personal touch.”
People are the most important asset of Guardian Angel Home Care. Stacey hires only qualified, committed caregivers— all directly employed, not subcontracted. The company experiences very little turnover, with staff members who have been with the company for over 20 years. This ensures that clients receive consistent care with the same caregiver on a long-term basis.
All candidates undergo an extensive criminal background check in accordance with PA state laws, need to have a physical exam clearance, and also to complete the agency’ s own training program before they can be placed on the schedule.
Stacey gives potential hires the ultimate litmus test:“ I always picture them taking care of my own mom.”
That guiding principle has shaped Guardian Angel from the very beginning, ensuring that every client is treated with the same dignity, compassion and respect as a beloved family member. Nearly 25 years later, that commitment remains at the heart of the company’ s mission— helping seniors live safely and comfortably in the place they love most: home.
Guardian Angel Home Care Services, Inc. Pittsburgh, PA | 412-492-8290 www. guardianangelinhomecare. com
Stacey L. Perry, Founder / CEO
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