March 10, 2005 • ISSUE 20 / VOLUME 1

Quality 'at-home' care available on O'ahu

ComForcare offers relief to caregivers

Denise ran into the house: "Hi mom, I'll throw a load in the washer & have you eaten yet? I brought you a chicken katsu plate lunch & sorry I'm late & I have a few minutes before I need to pick up the kids & did you take your pills? & Are you okay? I'll try to stop by again later after I get your groceries..."

The scene is all too familiar. A recent study showed more than one in five people living in the same town as their parents are caregivers for at least one aging parent. And more than 97 percent of people older than age 50 said they preferred to receive homecare services, rather than move into an institutional setting. Family members are often the obvious caregiving choice.

This has created a dilemma faced by what's termed "the sandwich generation" – baby boomers sandwiched between the responsibilities of caring for their children as well as their aging parents.

ComForcare is an Oahu business seeking to provide quality care for its clients, while relieving some of the pressure of care giving.

"We provide non-medical at-home care such as meal preparation, medication reminders, companionship, bathing, transportation, grocery shopping and other errands," says ComForcare owner Lita Peeters, a physical therapist.

Peeters says Hawaii's family-oriented culture sometimes prevents caregivers from seeking assistance, and the elderly parent may sometimes resist the idea of outside help. She suggests a slow transition.

"Many of our clients try our services for a few hours a week, light housekeeping, meal preparation and other 'non-personal' tasks are a good way to introduce at-home care to a parent," Peeters explains. "At the same time, this takes some of the burden off the family caregivers."

Peeters says many clients find that even a few hours of relief each week allows them to spend more quality time with their mom or dad instead of being bogged down by chores and errands.

All of ComForcare's employees are meticulously screened, bonded and insured. They will coordinate payment with third-party insurance providers when available. ComForcare is available throughout Oahu. For more information, call 593-CARE or 593-2273.