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The Karis Story

In the fall of 2000, Betsy and Chris Head were concerned about their two aging widowed mothers in their 80’s who lived in Georgia. They wondered how families who don’t live close to aging parents manage issues like dementia, chronic conditions, or declining health and ability. They discovered the home care industry and saw the need for a reliable local home care provider in Roanoke, VA, so they opened their first home care business in 2001. Very quickly they became the established experts locally and have been providing support to hundreds of aging adults and their families in the years since.

As requests for care began to come in from other areas, their business expanded to meet the needs presented. Their second office opened in Lynchburg in 2003, and today, under the name of Karis Care Services (our name changed in June of 2024) Karis proudly offers home care services in numerous communities regionally. We seek to honor God in all we say and do, and to provide exceptional, compassionate care to everyone we encounter. Our name, Karis, is derived from the Greek word for “grace”. It is by God’s grace that we have opportunities daily to serve our clients, our Caregivers, and our communities.

How We Care

At Karis Care Services, we deliver compassionate, comprehensive care tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Our wide range of services ensures that you or your loved one receives the care that is needed, when and where it is needed. We invite you to explore our offerings to learn how we enhance the quality of life for our clients and provide comfort, safety, and well-being every step of the way.

Our dedicated team of professional caregivers delivers personalized care that goes beyond the basics, offering you or your loved ones the highest quality support and assistance. With a focus on empathy and excellence, we provide a broad spectrum of services that can be combined to build a care plan that caters to your unique requirements, helping our clients maintain independence and dignity in the comfort of home.

Our Caregivers

A Karis Caregiver is held to the highest standards when they become a part of our care family. Each applicant is chosen through rigorous screening and is thoroughly trained prior to beginning their career with our company. We hire from all walks of life; some of our caregivers are retired from their first career and choose to embark on their second act with us, while others come from another caring career, as nurses, nurse aides, or other care-centered professions.

In addition to classroom training, each caregiver completes a series of Karis online learning modules prior to being assigned their first shift, working alongside one of our experienced professional caregivers to get a clear picture of what being a Karis Caregiver truly means. When you choose Karis to provide care for you or a loved one, you can have the assurance of knowing that the caregiver who comes to your home is someone who can be trusted to deliver exceptional, compassionate care. To help us hire and retain the best caregivers, we understand the importance of giving them excellent support and resources. This enables them to provide the best care for their clients. If you wish to know more about the benefits we offer our care team, please reach out to the office for more information.

The Services We Provide

Personal Care Services Our trained caregivers provide dignified assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, mobility, toileting, and transfers. Companionship Regular home visits help combat loneliness and foster social health and well-being. Visits include medication reminders, meal preparation and clean-up, and assistance with morning or evening routines. We can also support hobbies and special interests. Homemaker Services These visits can involve assistance with light housekeeping, laundry, pet care, and other tasks that help a home run smoothly and efficiently. Transportation In combination with any of the above services, we also assist with transportation for appointments, prescription pickup, grocery shopping, and other errands as needed, utilizing the client’s car when possible, or the caregiver’s car if necessary (to include a mileage charge). Rehabilitation Support We can create a step-down care schedule to enhance recovery at home and a return to independent living following illness or surgical procedures requiring hospitalization or time in a rehab facility. Our trained caregivers can offer encouragement, reminders, and support with prescribed exercises from a rehab facility or home health therapist while also keeping the household running with the services listed above.

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

At Karis, we understand many of the challenges faced by families caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another related dementia, and that’s why many of our caregivers are given specialized training in dementia care. Our training curriculum is designed by nationally recognized dementia specialist Teepa Snow and recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association® for its incorporation of evidence-based Dementia Care Practice Recommendations. It covers such essential topics as person-centered care, assessment and care planning, activities of daily living, and effective behaviors and communication*, equipping our caregivers with current best practices in dementia care.

*The Alzheimer’s Association statement of recognition is not an endorsement of the professional training or evaluation of the care provided by the agency. The statement is valid for two years from the date of issue.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About In-Home Care for Aging Adults

1. What is in-home care? In-home care is a type of supportive service that allows aging adults to receive assistance with daily activities in the comfort of their own homes. This care can include help with personal hygiene, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication management, errands and companionship. 2. Who provides in-home care services? In-home care services can be provided by trained caregivers, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), nursing assistants (NAs), home health aides, and sometimes licensed nurses, depending on the level of care required. 3. What are the benefits of in-home care? In-home care allows seniors to maintain their independence, remain in familiar surroundings, and receive personalized care. It also offers peace of mind to families, knowing their loved ones are safe and well cared for. 4. What are the benefits of choosing our agency over a private individual? Choosing our agency provides several advantages, including thorough background checks, training and supervision of caregivers, insurance coverage, and reliable backup in case a caregiver is unavailable. We also handle administrative tasks such as scheduling, payroll, and taxes, which can relieve a significant burden for you. 5. How do I know if my loved one needs in-home care? Signs that in-home care may be needed include recent illness or hospitalization, difficulty with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, cooking, keeping up with household tasks like laundry; taking medications; memory issues; frequent falls; and a general decline in health or mobility. Recent damage to the car or an expressed concern about driving are also indications that help is needed.

FAQ

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6. How long does it typically take to get started? We understand that sometimes care is needed very quickly, and we will try to accommodate that need when it arises, but our usual process takes a few days up to a couple of weeks to set up the plan of care and find the right Caregiver(s) for your particular situation. 7. Is in-home care covered by insurance or Medicare? Long-term personal care is typically not covered by Medicare but may be covered by Medicaid or private long-term care insurance. There are also benefits available from the VA for veterans who served during war time and their spouses. Most of our clients pay privately for care. 8. Can in-home care be customized to specific needs? Yes, we create customized in-home care plans are tailored to the unique needs of the individual, ranging from a few hours a week to full-time or even 24-hour care. 9. How much does in-home care cost? Costs vary depending on the level of care needed, the number of hours of service, and the location where care is provided. 10. Can family members be involved in the care process? Absolutely. We encourage family involvement and provide regular updates. Families can also participate in care planning and help monitor the quality of services provided.

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