Somerset — By SUSAN WHEELDON

The freedom to continue to live independent lives and to have the best quality life that is available is what Comfort Keepers sets out to help its clients do each day.

One example of this is 97-year-old Nell Barnes. With the help of comfort keeper Rhonda McCoy, Barnes continues to live by herself.

“The reason we got into Comfort Keepers is because we saw there was a need,” said owner Kathy Keith, who opened the local business with her husband, David.

Keith said that through her experience with her own grandmother, she realized that someone needed to be available to help seniors who need help with various services.

So she and her husband decided to open a local Comfort Keepers branch to assist seniors with many in-home companionship and personal care services. Some of those services include conversation and companionship, meal preparation, grocery shopping, laundry and linen washing, bathing, mobility, feeding, and oral hygiene.

The mission of Comfort Keepers is to provide clients with the highest level of quality of life achievable and to treat each of the clients with the respect and dignity they deserve. Caregivers, referred to as “comfort keepers,” treat clients as if they are caring for a member of their own family.

The first Comfort Keepers opened in Springfield, Ohio in 1997, and now there are over 500 branches located throughout the United States. The local Comfort Keepers covers Pulaski, Laurel, Rockcastle, Wayne, and Russell Counties.

Keith said she started the business in a one-room office on West Mt. Vernon Street in Somerset. In the beginning, she was the only employee — but she made up her mind that the endeavor would work. Now, after growing by leaps and bounds over the last four years, the business is located at 515 Ogden Street, Suite A, in Somerset.

And so far it is working out, as the business has approximately 100 clients and 50 employees.

Keith said she never imagined that Comfort Keepers would grow so much so quickly.

“I really believe this was a plan God had for my life,” said Keith.

But the most surprising thing, she added, is how many seniors need help because they don’t have anyone else to help them.

“I really had no idea how many people in the community didn’t have anyone,” said Keith.

She said some of their clients use Comfort Keepers’ services seven days a week, 24 hours a day, while others might use the services a couple times a week for three hours. (Three hours is the minimum amount of time allowed for one visit.)

Comfort Keepers not only go to people’s homes, but also to nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Keith said most often, clients are referred by doctors, home health agencies, hospitals, or nursing homes.

“The clients make their own schedules, and we work around them,” said Keith, adding that the local business wouldn’t be where it is today without its group of caregivers — or “comfort keepers.”

“They are the backbone of what we do,” said Keith.

Keith said Comfort Keepers caregivers must be bondable, and must undergo a background check, driving check, credit history check, and a “love ability” test. A Comfort Keeper must also be someone clients can depend upon and trust.

She said some comfort keepers work full-time, while some work anywhere from 12 to 30 hours per week.

“We feel like if we do everything to make sure caregivers are happy, the clients will be happy,” said Keith.

Keith added that, many times, comfort keepers go out of their way for their clients, doing things that aren’t required. One particular comfort keeper dressed as a clown and took candy to all of her clients on Halloween.

Barnes’ comfort keeper, Rhonda McCoy, began sitting with Barnes about a year ago. It has worked out well for both women.

McCoy feels that it is helpful to have one person caring for a client every day.

“I know if something is wrong,” said McCoy. “I know if she’s not eating right.”

Barnes said McCoy takes over a lot of her responsibilities, such as getting her to the doctor, making sure bills are paid, getting her medication ready, and helping her cook.

They’ve also formed a close bond, and do many things together, such as working in the flower garden at Pisgah Church and going out to breakfast.

“It’s not just a job anymore. We’ve gotten really close,” McCoy said.

“I just know that they’re there when I need them,” added Barnes.

Mission statement of Comfort Keepers

To provide our clients with the highest level of quality of life that is achievable. We shall treat each of our clients with the respect and dignity they deserve as though we were caring for a member of our own family.



Comfort provided by Comfort Keepers

In-home companionship and care services

• Conversation and companionship

• Meal preparation

• Light housekeeping

• Errand services

• Grocery shopping

• Respite or relief for family

• Medication reminders

• Grooming and dressing guidance

• Incidental transportation

• Laundry and linen washing

• Recreational activities and crafts

• Mail assistance and organization

• Periodic reviews and communication with family

• Daily TLC phone calls

• Emergency monitoring systems

• 24-hour or live-in care (available in most areas)

Personal Care Services

• Bathing

• Mobility

• Transferring and positioning

• Incontinence care

• Toileting

• Feeding

• Oral hygiene

• Special diet and meal preparation