BrightStar

HomeCare Experience

We know how overwhelming the responsibility of caring for a family member can be. We once needed help caring for a loved one, but didn't know where to turn to give her the quality of care, and the quality of life, she deserved.With over 130 locations nationwide, BrightStar offices nationwide help keep parents and grandparents in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes, as well as assisting parents with their childcare needs. We can provide every service available at a nursing facility in the comfort of your loved one's home.

BrightStar also provides healthcare staffing solutions to businesses on a temporary, temporary to permanent and permanent placement basis. We provide personnel to hospitals, nursing homes, doctors' offices,labs and anywhere healthcare staff is needed. National account services range from insurance assessments and IV infusion therapy to home health, in addition to delivering flu clinic services to Corporate, commercial and retail clients.

We strive each day to give our clients more.

• More peace of mind because families receive the highest quality care in the industry.
• More security because all those in our care are in the hands of a fully screened, insured, bonded, certified and/or licensed caregiver.
• More convenience because, even as our clients' needs evolve, so can we.

We specialize in providing a wide range of services so we are able to form a holistic plan of care that can meet each client's needs, no matter what they are, at any time. From peer-level companionship for social interaction to skilled medical care administered by an RN, we can help with virtually any situation, with a strong emphasis on the well-being of each client every step of the way. Specialties range from adult homecare and elder care and pediatric and newborn care to disabled care and more.

This Include

• Medical Care
• Companion Care
• Personal Care
• Home Support
• Outside Support
• Skilled Care
• Alzheimer's/Dementia Care

We also deliver skilled care to patients one on one in their homes or wherever they need care through our network of national account partners.

At BrightStar, our caregivers are everything to our clients – and to us. Each year, we reach out to the people whose lives have been touched by our compassionate care professionals nationwide - from home health aides and personal care attendants to nurses and more - to share their experiences with us.

SOUTHEAST REGION

Caregiver of the Year ‘09 – Betty Hill (Birmingham, AL office)

In September of 2008, my mom Mary* was diagnosed with a stage IV malignant brain tumor. The news was grim but we decided to move forward with surgery, chemo and radiation. In the first several months, Mary* was able to still care for herself and stay in our house alone. However, as time went on, her cognitive functioning began to decline and by late December, it was clear that she could no longer be left home alone.

etty Hill bustled into our house full of energy and immediately focused on caring for Mary*. Mary* wasn't as sure as I was that this was the right person. She was reluctant at first but Betty was not deterred. She created a schedule for mom that included going out each day with her dogs and a daily bath complete with a carefully chosen outfit. Mom did not like the baths and tried daily to get out of them. It became a joke in our house - mom telling Betty "not today" for the bath and Betty convincing her otherwise. Mary's* beloved Scottie dogs Maggie and Beau were in Betty's care as well. When mom was no longer able to sit with them tucked beside her on the chair, Betty let them both sit with her.

CALIFORNIA REGION

Ashley Johnson (Woodland Hills/N. Hollywood, CA office)

Our caregiver, Ashley Johnson, has greatly transformed our household. John Smith*, 81, has been content to nap away the day. He watched a lot of TV while remembering little. He hated to go anywhere or even manage a short stroll. One of his hands was damaged due to a stroke. It seemed useless and had a claw-like look. The goal was to be more mobile and hold a glass by Christmas.

He is taken to the weekly Farmers' Market in a park where Ashley always finds the necessary bench. The Animal Shelter is also a favorite! Ashley takes him to her beauty salon to have his nails cut and he politely talks to all the ladies too. He recently had a haircut there and I am told he got into a conversation about why men aren't put under hair dryers.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION

Jessica Olsen (Little Rock, AR office)

Bill, My Husband  is nursing home qualified with a long list of diagnoses, including Dementia and Parkinson's. This keeps us from actively participating in church, family or social activities.

Jessica goes the extra mile to assure Bill's* needs are met. She is a joy to be around. Her gentle way with him is calming and restorative, sometimes singing or humming to soothe his nerves. Jessica keeps her schedule flexible, sometimes coming with very short notice.

Jessica is enrolled in the fall semester of a two-year community college. While taking loans and working full-time is one way to expand an education, the $5000 scholarship would be a special reward for our exceptional aide. Thank you!

NORTHEAST REGION

Jen Riley (Pittsburgh, PA office)

Jen came into the lives of Sarah* and Sam Smith* when Sam* was 85 and, while still healthy overall, he was becoming increasingly frail and forgetful due to advancing Dementia and diabetes. Sarah* was 81, battling cancer and moving through the stages of chemotherapy with minimal disruption to her life. Nevertheless, Sam's* advancing frailty and memory loss put heavy demands on Sarah, which began to wear her down.

When Jen entered their lives, she immediately established rapport and trust with Sarah & Sam* and quickly became a respected ally in the daily battle against advancing age. She wove herself into the fabric of their lives, helping with the household chores, driving to doctors' appointments and cheerfully dealing with all the personal care issues that can quickly rob an older person of their dignity. She is compassionate and caring.

MIDWEST REGION

Shelly Wason (Dane/Rock County, WI office)

She goes beyond her duties as a caregiver. She makes me homemade meals all the time. She does laundry and vacuums too. She's nice and takes me to the dentist. I like that she makes meals for me and my son when he comes over. She makes sure I don't fall in the shower. We talk about my life and how I'm doing. We go to Pizza Hut to celebrate my birthday. She even bring me balloons to me house. She takes care of my skin rash when I get one. If I wonder when she's coming over (because I sometimes forget), I call her cell phone and she reminds me. We take walks and set goals to walk farther. Her son shovels my driveway when it's full of snow. Her brother takes my recycling to the dump in Janesville. She takes good care of me and makes sure I have a Christmas tree and made a bow for the top of the tree. She puts out my decorations for holidays. When my sister died, she helped me pack for the funeral and talked with me about my loss.

MOUNTAIN REGION

Marisol Crispin (Dallas, TX office)

The amazing BrightStar Caregiver in the life of my mother is Marisol Crispin. My mother, Beth*, is in the later stages of Dementia and lives in an assisted living center. Due to her numerous physical and mental impairments, I decided that she needed the one-on-one care provided by BrightStar.

Marisol has far exceeded my expectations. Every weekend since last fall, this lovely young woman makes a long commute to arrive at the center by 7:00 a.m. to be the first to smile at my mother when she wakes.