Care You Had Hoped For... And Then Some, The

Business People, May 2009 by Adams, Jill

When Anne Marie Labenberg founded Home Healthcare Associates (HHCA) four years ago alongside her father, Joseph Artioli, their primary goal was to provide top-notch homecare to their clients. Today, with a well-earned reputation for cultivating a highly qualified, personable staff and providing consistent, quality care to clients, Labenberg has achieved that goal. At the helm of a business renowned for making patients feel like they're being cared for by friends, Labenberg is living her lifelong dream of helping others. Indeed, as someone who has spent her career in the healthcare field, Labenberg has a deep understanding of how to help her clients. But as her client-base grows, she points out that there is another group she and her team focus on helping, as well - the clients' loved ones, who often serve as caregivers themselves.

"When we started this business, our main focus was on our clients," Labenberg says. "But we quickly discovered that providing quality and consistency allowed family members and other support individuals to rebuild their own lives, which can often be put on the back burner when they are caring for someone else. Eventually, quality of life deteriorates on both ends of the spectrum. The client can feel like a burden, and their support people have to take on varying roles, which eventually wear everyone out. We believe helping people achieve a good balance gives back that quality of life."

Which was exactly what the HHCA team strove to provide for client Carl Derheimer and his family. After Derheimer suffered a mini-stroke two years ago, his daughter Linda, son Tom and daughter-in-law Kay made the decision to seek assistance to care for their father. As Derheimer's primary caregiver, Linda welcomed the opportunity to have additional help with her father's personal care, as well as the presence of a medical professional to help guide her with medications and any problems that may arise.

"We have great family support," Linda says. "But Anne Marie and her staff are another great support system. When they're here, I can run errands or even just talk with them about my father's condition, and they can advise me. The staff sits down and talks with me about what's going on, or shares any observations they may have, and then helps me decide on the next step. It's great to have that expertise to rely on.

"Between the help of my family and the added support of Home Healthcare Associates, I'm now able to get out more," she adds, "so I have more of a social life, as well."

As does Derheimer, who has forged friendships with the HHCA staff members who regularly spend time with him. Whether playing cards, watching sports on television or just exchanging jokes, Linda describes her father's demeanor as uplifted when his aides are caring for him. With the added help of personal care, medicinal administration and assistance with physical exercises, HHCA staff members have proven to Linda that the care they offer is everything she hoped for - and then some.

"They even helped our dog," Linda says with a chuckle. "His leg was hurt, and they actually carried him outside whenever he needed to be let out."

But that type of care makes perfect sense to Linda, considering the traits she observes in Labenberg.

"Anne Marie is a caring person," she says. "She is so dedicated to being a nurse and caring for others, and she has instilled that in her staff."

But for Labenberg, there isn't any other way.

"We genuinely care about making sure that all needs are taken care of and that our clients are appreciated," she says. "With us, our clients have a friend, not just a caregiver.""

Home Healthcare Associates Inc.

Address: 619 East Dupont Road, #235 Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825

Telephone: (260) 338-1460

Owner/ Administrator: Anne Marie Labenberg, RN

Website: www.homehealthcareassociates.com

Number of employees: 45

Years in business: 4

Products & Services: Licensed Home Healthcare Agency providing skilled nursing, medication management, wound care, care management and coordination, as well as companionship, transportation, personal care, meal planning / preparation and personal emergency response systems.