SMOOTH-TRANSITION CARE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Owner, Director of Long Term Care
I will never forget the moment I received the phone call stating my dad had a heart attack and the call that my mom had to be hospitalized for a medical condition. Growing up with older parents who have chronic medical conditions, I have experienced first-hand the importance of having high quality care for the ones you love especially in their times of deepest need. Together with my wife Natalie, we have realized our shared passion of serving the elderly in Miami by offering them quality care and companionship through the services we provide. What sets us apart from other home health agencies is our determination and compassion in providing care for each elderly individual as if they were our own father, mother, or grandparent. We are confident that we can provide you with the care you or your loved one needs and are willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Chad Farmer studied business and marketing at Middle Tennessee State University. He has served the last 6 years in the Air National Guard and has completed two tours in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom during this time. Chad chose health care out of a strong desire to help the community and he enjoys providing personalized and professional services to each of our clients and their families.
Deck Hankins loves a good story. It was an unexpected twist in his own story that drew him to a career in home care.
On September 27, 2001 Deck and his family brought his father home from the hospital with a terminal diagnosis. His father, a World War II Veteran and a prisoner of war survivor, was finally home and they were left with many unanswered questions. How would they care for him? Who could help? Who should they call?
These questions were never answered. On the day he returned home Deck's father passed away in the same house he was brought home to as a baby.
19 years later, in May of 2020, Deck finds himself sitting in an office, boxes stacked against the wall, filing cabinets waiting to be organized, a new story about to begin. A story he didn't even know he had started many years ago.
Welcome to Preferred Care at Home of Pittsburgh. Amy and Don were both born and raised in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh and continue to call it home along with their three children. After long careers in health care and business sales positions they were looking for something that was more rewarding and enriching to their lives. Both Amy and Don have witnessed their parents go through the aging process and found that it was becoming more difficult to remain in their homes. They truly felt that helping seniors improve their quality of life while safeguarding their independence in their home was their new calling in life. They have partnered with the Preferred Care at Home family to help enrich and empower seniors lives.
Job Titles:
- Owner of Preferred Care at Home
Donald Gary Knox is the owner of Preferred Care at Home® of Lansing. Our valued long-term clients recognize the name as his father Gary H. Knox who began the business in Mid-Michigan over a decade ago. Don is not new to the world of healthcare having spent nearly thirty years of his professional life managing physician practices prior to his ownership of Preferred Care at Home.
Gary Knox, owner of Preferred Care at Home of Grand Rapids and Lansing, Michigan. Knox showed resilience through tough times and adversity, and demonstrated the impact you can have on your community when you "Never, never, never give up."
Co-founders Frank Guerrieri and Jody Guerrieri, RN, are experts in senior care. Their commitment to caring for people in need has been the driving force behind their gold-standard services for over a quarter of a century.
Gina Guerrieri went to Middle Tennessee State University and studied Graphic Design. She later took a more focused role in home care by over seeing 13 counties in Tennessee. Gina has experience in every aspect of home care with personal experience as a caregiver, dedication to effective administration and passion to spread the Preferred Care message through outreach. It is through this wealth of knowledge and practice that Gina understands the needs of the elderly and their families.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from The University of Toledo, Jack earned his Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. For over two decades, Jack has focused on educating future nurses and healthcare professionals. Through this he has learned the value of prepared, committed, and compassionate caregivers. Now, as owner of Preferred Care at Home, Jack is dedicated to providing quality care for seniors through caregivers who are reliable and compassionate.
Preferred Care at Home of Chattanooga's John Kerns fully-realized his commitment to compassionate care, of all places, in the shoe business.
After college, Kerns took a job at a local specialty shoe retailer that serviced its clients based on a wide variety of therapeutic objectives. In that role he encountered thousands of clients facing a myriad of challenges.
"Meeting people of age and with disabilities really opened my eyes to how seemingly small things can bring about enormous positive change in a person's life," Kerns said, "We were helping people find the right shoe to meet very specific needs, but it's funny how much that small service could transform a person's life."
Kerns also directed online and medical marketing for the Knoxville footwear provider, where he worked closely with physicians and therapists to see that he and his team were meeting the specialized needs of his clients. "Working as a service provider and go-between with physicians and patients really taught me the value of providing outstanding care in times of need," he said.
My name is Logan and I have always had a passion for helping others, and it began with my experience with my grandparents. Growing up, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend every day with my grandparents and formed an incredible bond with them. As years passed, I witnessed first-hand the physical decline of my grandmother and the emotional turmoil it caused my grandfather. After watching them grow older and enter the late stages of life, I knew my purpose was to have a positive impact on others' lives.
My professional career began at a Children's Hospital as a radiologic technologist in the medical field. After a few years, my career path took a change and I started working in financial services, assisting families with estate and long-term care planning.
Lois Whitesell, a registered nurse, saw this happen first-hand and recognized a need: Older people simply wanted to stay home. So Lois decided to open a home health-care agency.
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Services
- Owner
Growing up in South Florida, my brother Ricky (Richard) and I were very fortunate to have been raised in a loving home with the values instilled in us to love others and always put the need of others before our own. This foundation is what led me to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse where I have served the community of Palm Beach for the last few years while I obtained my master's degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Working in the emergency department, particularly in south Florida, I have witnessed a myriad of patients seeking care often as a result of poor care from one of the many nursing homes in the surrounding areas. This disheartening reality is what motivated me to want to be a part of the solution in providing better care for the elderly while maintaining their dignity and independence as much as possible. This is why Preferred Care at Home of South Miami exists-born out of a desire to treat every elderly individual with the dignity, love and respect that they deserve. This individual attention is what makes Preferred Care at Home so unique and valuable, especially for those elderly individuals who need extra care, whether that is a few hours a day or around the clock care. We, my husband Brian, my brother Richard, and my sister-in-law Rachel, are continually grateful for the opportunity we have every day to serve those in Miami while making a difference in the lives of those who have contributed so much to our lives and future.
Job Titles:
- Owner, Director of Recruiting and Scheduling
Watching a loved one grow old can be a heartbreaking experience. I experienced this difficult time with my grandfather as he struggled with the effects of old age without any additional assistance. Sadly, his wife was unable to care for him which greatly affected his will to live. My family wishes there was more we could have done to not only extend his life but improve his overall quality of life as well. My compassion for vulnerable populations is what motivated me to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher as well as a director of long-term care for elderly individuals. As family co-owners, we are committed to providing high quality, compassionate care for each elderly individual in order to maintain the highest quality of life possible for all stages of life and health.
Job Titles:
- Owner, Director of Long Term Care
Growing up in a Cuban-American household, my sister Natalie and I were very blessed to have been raised in a loving, family-oriented atmosphere. Throughout our teen years, we have witnessed our mom take in and care for our 90-year-old grandparents. We saw first-hand how this was a full time job for our mother: managing their overall care, driving to doctor's appointments, ensuring daily medication administration, and meeting the daily needs of our grandparents as they dealt with increasing age. Although our mother was able to stay home to care for her parents, we realized that this is a luxury that not every family can afford for themselves or their loved ones. This is what sparked our passion to facilitate the care of our valued elderly individuals: so that they can maintain their utmost of dignity and independence while allowing their family members to reassume their roles as sons, daughters, or grandchildren - resting assured that their loved ones are in the best of hands with Preferred Care at Home of South Miami. We want each elderly individual and family member to rest assured in our promise to deliver exceptional care with compassion and respect.
My name is Scott and my journey into home care begins with the experience I had with my own family. I was born in a small town in the midwest, surrounded by my extended family including my grandparents and great-grandparents.
My first encounter with senior health was when my great-grandmother broke her hip and was taken to a long-term care facility, away from our family and the place she called home. My second experience was with my grandparents who were fortunate to have my mother to care for them in the home they owned since the 1940s. The difference in the quality of life of my great-grandmother and grandparents in those last stages was immense. Life's final stages are a time to be treasured and should be spent at home, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Sheri Schledorn, Robin Schledorn
The owners of Preferred Care at Home of Thousand Oaks are (pictured left to right) Jodi Blevens, Sheri Schledorn, Georgia and Robin Schledorn. We have lived in the Conejo Valley for 30 years and look forward to helping seniors that need assistance so they can remain in their homes if they choose.
"Robin was wonderful. My needs for help for my mom came up suddenly and I was able to reach Robin at home on a Sunday and he had a wonderful person in place Monday morning! Wonderful service." -Sue R.
Job Titles:
- Owners of Preferred Care at Home of Birmingham
We are Scott and Tina owners of Preferred Care at Home of Birmingham. Along with Logan, we are a husband, wife, and son-in-law team whose personal life experiences and commitment to family have shaped and guided us to where we are today. As advocates for the elderly, it is our desire to come alongside you and your family as you navigate the maze of senior home care options. Asking for help is not easy, we understand, and want to be there for you, every step of the way. If you have questions about home care options, don't hesitate to reach out, (256) 427-2790.
My name is Tina and, like Scott, it is my personal life experiences that have led me to senior care. My story is centered around family and begins in Upstate New York. I was raised with seven older brothers and along with our immediate family size often, my grandfather, great grandfather, and great grandmother lived with us. As they aged and needed more care and support, my parents did not want to take them to a nursing home, away from the support of our family. As I reflect on my childhood, I have a deep respect for my parents. They both dedicated their entire lives to taking care of all of us and ensuring my grandfather and great-grandparents lived a wonderful life, all the way through their final days.
Years passed and my mother became ill and was diagnosed with COPD and Emphysema at the age of 64. It was my turn to take care of her the same way she took care of our family. I quit my full-time job to dedicate my time to my mother. She declined very quickly. Her wishes were to pass in hospice because my father was still living in their farmhouse at the time. I am beyond grateful I was able to make her wishes come true and to be by her side during those last stages.
Two years later my father became very ill. He was diagnosed with Leukemia and his organs started to fail. Willingly, I quit my job again to take care of him the same way I took care of my mother. His wishes were to die in the farmhouse where he had fond memories of our family. I will be forever thankful for the at-home care team that made that possible.
While these experiences were very difficult, at the center of each story is a commitment to love and family. It is that commitment that has motivated me to become an owner of Preferred Care at Home, where I am able to dedicate my life to helping families through life's final stages.
Wesley has lived in Colorado all his life, so being a true native has brought him a great sense of pride of this beautiful state.
His journey to Preferred Care at Home was not that of a short one. It started when he attended college at the University of Northern Colorado and graduated with a degree in Kinesiology which lead him to join the Colorado Air National Guard. There, he earned another degree in Cardiopulmonary/Respiratory Therapy management where he knew that helping others was his true calling so therefore pursued a career in the medical field.