Chatham-Kent is getting a new option for senior home care.
Nurse Next Door celebrated the grand opening of its latest franchise location in Chatham-Kent on Wednesday. The organization offers a wide range of senior healthcare services across Chatham-Kent and Leamington including personal care, caregiver relief, respite care, homemaking, meal preparation, transportation, around-the-clock care and nursing care.
According to Dakota Hodgson, director of the CK location, what really sets them apart from other home care options is their unique 'Happier Aging' philosophy.
"What makes us special is that we have something called Happier Aging. Happier Aging is when we ask every single client 'what's one or two things that you used to love to do that you maybe don't get to do anymore?' and we find a way to bring that back into their life," explained Hodgson. "Whether it's gardening or swimming or going for walks in the park that maybe you wouldn't be able to do if you were by yourself and allow them to bring that back into their life."
Hodgson said they also offer longer visit times, a minimum of three hours, and that their staff always looks at healthcare as being more than just a task.
Nurse Next Door might be a new name to the residents of Chatham-Kent but the business is well established in other parts of the globe with over 130 franchise locations across North America and most recently, locations in Australia.
"Even though we are new to the area, we have this amazing team behind us that has the knowledge and the resources to be able to be an established company within our beginning steps," said Hodgson.
Although the business is international, Hodgson, along with her franchise partner Tina Hodgson, are both Chatham natives who are keeping it local. The pair worked closely with the municipal economic development team during the months leading up to their grand opening.
"We're both born and raised in Chatham and we know this community inside and out and we love this community and we've been here our whole lives," Hodgson said "It was an obvious choice. There was a huge need here for what we offer and we're able to fill a gap so it was a no-brainer."
Hodgson said that free consultations are available to talk about home healthcare needs and create a custom-designed care plan. She added that the Nurse Next Door team doesn't just stop their services at healthcare.
"We do something called random acts of kindness," Hodgson explained. "You'll see us out in our bright pink car around town. Whether it's grabbing a coffee at [Tim Hortons] for someone, paying for the order in front of us, or handing out cake pops at the hospital. You'll see us, we're bold and we can't wait to make lives better here in Chatham-Kent and Leamington."
For more information on Nurse Next Door, click here.