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Business Brings Relief To Caregivers

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By LAURA FRAZIER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

BRANDON - Candice Beaudin spends most of her time, day and night, caring for her mother, who lives in the house next door. Tending to the elderly woman's physical needs and household chores is a full-time job, said Beaudin, a senior citizen who has multiple sclerosis.

The Sun City Center resident has nursed three family members through the end stages of life. She said it is crucial for people who take care of aging or ailing loved ones to have help and respite care.

"You hit a brick wall, and you've got to rest and get yourself together," Beaudin said. "If you take care of yourself, you'll be better off taking care of them."

Three nights a week and during the day Sundays, Beaudin entrusts her mother's care to Comfort Keepers, a business that provides nonmedical senior care and companionship. Beaudin takes advantage of the free time to pay bills, shop and do housework.

Sometimes, she said, "I just need to take a nap."

Local Comfort Keepers franchise owners Fred and Tatyana Svejda opened offices in Brandon and Sun City Center in 2004. They employ 85 senior companions and home health aides who provide care to more than 100 clients in Brandon, Valrico, Seffner, Plant City, Riverview, Palmetto and Ellenton.

Companions make social calls, perform light housekeeping duties and run errands. State-certified home health aides provide personal hygiene services and mobility assistance. The company accommodates the needs of its clients and offers one-time or occasional assistance, daily long-term help and round-the-clock care.

Fred Svejda said about 40 percent of his clients are Alzheimer's patients whose family members can't provide the 24-hour-a-day supervision they often require.

"You have to realize the patient is usually 85 to 90 years old, and the children are in their 60s and 70s and often have their own health problems," Svejda said.

Many families hire in-home help to avoid for as long as possible placing their loved ones in nursing homes.

"If you have that person living in the same house, doing their same routine every day, they can function until the disease is very advanced," he said.

In addition to supervision and social visits, professional caregivers help with light housekeeping, errands, shopping and cooking. State-certified home health aides provide personal care such as bathing, grooming and dressing. One of the most important services they provide, Svejda said, is companionship.

"Sometimes people just need someone to check in on them and say hello, especially if they have vision issues and can't drive. Maybe the companion will just sit and visit, or they'll go out to lunch."

The company's corporate philosophy is to help the elderly and infirm live full, independent and dignified lives within the comfort of their own homes. Svejda's elderly mother lives alone in her Orlando home. The 81-year-old starts every morning by picking up newspapers from the driveways of neighbors with mobility problems and delivering them to their doorsteps.

"I got into this business because my mother is the world's greatest caregiver," Svejda said.
COMFORT KEEPERS
WHAT: In-home nonmedical senior care, companionship and recreation

WHO: Fred and Tatyana Svejda, Brandon and Sun City Center franchise owners
WHERE: 911 North Parsons Ave., Suite A, Brandon and 918 Pebble Beach Blvd. N., Sun City Center.

COST: $15.95 to $18.50 per hour

INFO: (813) 655-1731 or go to www.comfortkeepers.com

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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