LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Central Kentucky care service needs more caregivers. Demand has increased because of COVID-19.
The caretakers with Home Instead provide a range of assistance such as driving to doctor's appointments, help around the house, laundry, cooking and cleaning.
"We have some clients that require care on a 24/7 basis, so we have caregivers that are there every hour of the day throughout the week. We have some clients who have care just a few days a week or even just once a week," general manager Brent Stephens said.
As the General Manager of the Home Instead office in Lexington, Stephens says the biggest change due to COVID-19 is more families are making a request to visit their family member who is in isolation, at least one day a week.
"You have more seniors who would normally be involved in church and activities in the community. That it's not safe to go out or it's not safe for their families to come visit them," Stephens said.
Because of that, the provider is in need of caretakers. And since home instead does not provide medical assistance, anyone can apply. For one caretaker, the job is personal.
"I had a family member, my own father, that I cared for before his passing. So that's all the experience that I had. So when I did finally come and apply. I just wanted to get back to something that I knew, that I enjoy doing because I love taking care of seniors," Kim Collins said.
