Compassionate Home Care Working for You
Thursday, March 28, 2019
by Sarah Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer
Compassionate Home Care, founded in October 2017, opened a new location in Sewanee. Michelle Ladd, the president and owner, runs the company independently. She has more than 20 years of experience in the medical field. A native of Tracy City, Michelle stays close to home as a majority of her clients reside in Sewanee and the surrounding area.
Michelle started her medical career at Emerald Hodgson Hospital as a freshly-minted certified nurse at age 19. She has worked at other home care companies. An experience at work coupled with her daughter’s own health problems pushed Michelle to establish her own company.
“My purpose for opening my own company was to establish a business that will be successful and provide the best quality of care to my clients,” said Michelle. “This will also help to provide for the needed assistance to my daughter.”
Michelle strives to make her company stand out from the others by personally assuring all her clients are taken care of to the best of the Compassionate Home Care team abilities.
Michelle and her staff retain flexibility in their scheduling in order to best provide for the needs of the client.
The process for home care services begins with an in-home assessment where the client and family members are present. The initial meeting determines the needs and schedule of the client in order to keep the clients comfortable in their home. “We honor the clients and their suggestions, and assign a permanent schedule with a permanent caregiver. Our motto is ‘we work for you, you don’t work for us,’” said Michelle.
State requirements mandate supervisory meetings of clients every six months, but Michelle revisits clients every three months to adjust the care giving schedule if needed. Compassionate Home Care relies on a highly trained staff. Michelle hires caregivers who are certified nursing assistants, or have relevant prior experience in a hospital and or nursing home. All employees must pass drug tests, submit to an extensive background check, and have excellent references. Michelle and her team continue their education by attending monthly training sessions to sharpen skills.
“This is home, and I’ve been here all my life. My reputation allows me to assist my clients to the best of my ability. It’s whatever the clients need,” Michelle said.
Michelle is in the process of being able to accept TennCare. For right now, clients can get a waiver for non-medical needs and Michelle has a contract to provide care for veterans. The company accepts private pay clients and long-term care policies. Compassionate Home Care is licensed and insured.
Michelle plans to grow Compassionate Home Care by working with another home care company, and potentially opening another office in Signal Mountain next year.
Compassionate Home Care is located at 125 University Ave., Sewanee, and is open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (931) 327-5276 for services, scheduling and or questions.