SL_VisitingAngels_Profile_5_19_Profile 5 / 14 / 19 3 : 34 PM Page 1 “ Many people want to stay in their D PROFILE own home and age in place , and the services we provide are a safe , cost - effective way for them to do that , ” says Steve Mekanik , an accountant by trade . “ We al - ways wanted to have our own business , and we always liked helping seniors , so we saw this as a perfect fit . Jackie has al - ways had a fondness for angels , so when Heaven we found an opportunity with a company named Visiting Angels , a partnership seemed like it was meant to be . ” Restoring Balance Visiting Angels of Doylestown is one of several hundred franchisees under the corporate parent , which is based in Bryn Mawr . Bonded and insured , the company also runs full criminal background checks SENT andchild - abuse checks on every employee . In addition , Visiting Angels continuously Through Visiting Angels of Doylestown , local seniors monitors its caregivers to ensure that re - cipients receive the best possible care . age gracefully and comfortably in their own homes , The benefits of the services provided while loved ones receive much - needed peace of mind . by Visiting Angels are invaluable . Seniors get to stay at home and maintain their in - by BILL DONAHUE photography by JODY ROBINSON dependence , while family members receive the comfort of knowing their loved ones are receiving help from experienced pro - fessionals who truly care about seniors ’ wellbeing . Steve Mekanik adds that Visiting Angels accepts long - term - care insurance as well as private pay , with rates that he describes as “ among the least expensive options out there . ” “ The service we provide can give a family a certain amount of peace of mind so they can go about their daily lives , while their loved ones are taken care of and safe in their home , ” says Jacqueline Mekanik , a registered nurse with a back - ground in pediatric nursing . “ Nothing is going to take the place of a family member , but we can provide coverage for a family so the time they spend with their mother or father is quality time . ” Many adult children work full time and have families of their own , so they struggle with the challenge of caring for an aging parent . Factors such as long dis - tances between family members can make the challenge that much more daunting , according to Denise Calafati , marketing manager for Visiting Angels of Advances in medicine , technology , and other mod - Doylestown . have pushed the average life expectancy in the ern conveniences “ Taking care of an aging parent can be an overwhelming adventure , ” she says . United States to its highest point in recorded history . People routinely live into “ By bringing a professional caregiver into their 80s , 90s , and even past the century mark , though many of these individuals the mix , the adult children can return to require daily assistance to maintain their health , safety , and independence . being just a daughter or just a son , not the caregiver , so now they’re actually sitting For nearly 20 years , families throughout Bucks County and eastern Montgomery County and spending time with Mom or Dad . have been turning to Visiting Angels of Doylestown for help when it comes to caring for older Family dynamics can be a challenge , too , family members . The company offers a full range of nonmedical home healthcare services — especially when there are multiple children everything from personal hygiene , bathing , and grooming , to light housekeeping , doctors ’ visits , and one child is doing the bulk of the and companionship . caregiving work . A service like ours helps Seventeen years have passed since Steve and Jacqueline Mekanik started Visiting Angels of to restore that balance . ” Doylestown . The husband - and - wife team has since grown their enterprise into a team of more Visiting Angels strives to make a sen - than 100 qualified caregivers capable of serving more than 80 families throughout the area . SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2019 74 |