Veronica Love learned firsthand what it means to be a caregiver. It wasn’t about seeking a career or a purpose; it was about family and the unwavering commitment to care for loved ones. For Veronica, founding the Home Health Care Agency of Arkansas was as instinctual as waking up each morning.
“My father had multiple sclerosis, and we took care of him, my sister and I as a child, and we watched him deteriorate with health issues right before our eyes, and then after he passed away, my aunt, who assisted us in taking care of him, had congestive heart failure and was a diabetic,” Love said. “Our family has a long history of being caretakers. I took care of my grandmother, I took care of my father, my aunt, and I took care of my grandmother’s siblings. We had to learn that being a caretaker was a part of being a united family.”
After navigating the complexities of illness within her family, Veronica decided to channel her passion for caregiving into a professional endeavor—an often underappreciated skill that is crucial to many families.
“I understand how elderly individuals need assistance,” she explains. “Patience is key, and caregiving has always come naturally to me.”
Founded six years ago, the Home Health Care Agency of Arkansas offers a comprehensive range of services, including home health care, companion services, respite care, and specialized dementia care.
“We come into the home to assist with daily needs, ensuring our clients can remain safe and comfortable in their own environment. This includes help with personal care, cleaning, meal preparation, and medication management,” Love emphasizes. The goal is to empower clients to stay in their homes for as long as possible.
The agency also supports clients residing in assisted living facilities, focusing on fall prevention and timely medical appointments while ensuring clients don’t miss meals. Services can be provided from twice a week to daily, catering primarily to seniors but also assisting young adults with disabilities.
Although based in Little Rock, the agency has expanded to include a satellite office in West Memphis, offering services throughout Arkansas, particularly in rapidly growing areas like northwest Arkansas.
Home Health Care Agency of Arkansas collaborates with various government agencies, including the Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Medicaid agency, to assist seniors recovering from strokes or other medical conditions, helping them transition back to independent living. The agency also partners with nonprofit organizations and churches, often providing essential transportation services.
With over 100 clients served by 75 dedicated caregivers, the organization is continuously hiring to meet growing demands.
“We look for a clean background. We look for dependability. We look for people who have integrity, and we check references,” Love states. “We help them get credentialing, and we try to assist in areas needed to help make their overall employment life better.”
In a high-touch service like caregiving, training is paramount. Home Health Care Agency of Arkansas offers paid training to new hires.
“They can still benefit from learning. It’s three weeks to a month before they go into a home,” Love notes.
Being a caregiver is no easy task, and Veronica understands this better than anyone. Yet, it is an essential service for an aging population that has dedicated their lives to building their communities. Providing the best care possible is a small way to give back to those who have given so much. Having a trusted companion to tend to the daily needs of seniors or disabled individuals is more than just a job; it’s an expression of genuine care and compassion.
Source: https://armoneyandpolitics.com/2024-amp-top-professionals-veronica-love/