Caregiver’s celebrates one year here, and tripling of business [Stratford Star]
July 9, 2014
At Caregiver’s Home Solutions offices, as they celebrated one year of business in Stratford, State Sen. Kevin Kelly (R-21) talks about the importance of seniors receiving assistance in their homes. Listening were Town Councilwoman Stephanie Philips and Caregiver’s owner Chris Pederson. Greg Reilly photo.
Caregiver’s Home Solutions has been operating for seven years, but its business tripled in the past year since moving to Stratford.
The company, which offers in-home eldercare services ranging from live-in to just a few hours a week, celebrated its first year anniversary in Stratford with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting attended by local and state dignitaries, staff and clients on in mid-June.
State Sen. Kevin Kelly serves on the legislature’s committee on aging and attended the Caregiver’s celebration. “We see problems with too many people in institutions, but they can’t stay home unless they have the right care,” Kelly told the gathering. “We are fortunate to have you here to provide the care,” he said. “You help make Stratford a nice place to age.”
The privately held company’s owner, Chris Pederson, said he moved Caregiver’s to Stratford primarily because he wanted to be centrally located in the territory he covers, which is between Norwalk and New Haven, and as far north as Shelton and Derby. Pederson said that, in addition, he found Stratford to offer “better bang for the buck,” compared to Fairfield or Bridgeport.
Stratford, with its competitive cost of rent, is “a hidden secret,” said Pederson, “and everybody in town has been so welcoming.”
Pederson credited Stratford’s Economic Development Director Karen Kaiser and Supervisor Amy Knorr for giving him “a good nudge” for moving to Stratford.
What differentiates Caregiver’s from other in-home companion agencies, according to Manager of Caregivig Services Ana Yard, is the fact that they “go the extra mile for both clients and the caregivers” who are direct employees, not subcontractors.
A client of the company who was at the one-year anniversary event said that she gets all the assistance she needs from her caregiver, and that includes help with cooking, cleaning, shopping, driving and personal care. She is particularly pleased that the caregiver helps her get to the Baldwin Center, where she regularly goes to knit and crochet items for those who suffer from cancer.
Mayor John Harkins attended the event along with Kelly, as did Town Councilperson Stephanie Philips and representatives from the office of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro and from the office of U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
