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He Started As A Caregiver But He's Now A Family Friend

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By IRENE MAHER

News Channel 8 Medical Editor

Published: June 14, 2008

When 91-year-old Louis Neckar of Safety Harbor lost his wife of 64 years, he became very lonely.

"My mom and dad did absolutely everything together," says Susan Tighe, 51, the Neckars' youngest daughter.

Other than difficulty hearing, Neckar has no medical problems and still lives independently in the home he shared with his wife for 25 years. But, as a senior who sensibly gave up his car keys, he quickly became isolated.

Tighe and her sister, Barbara Silverman, 55, live in Pinellas County and spend as much time as possible with their dad. But both work full time and have young families, so he was left alone a lot. "I was feeling very guilty," Tighe says.

Then they heard about a company called Senior Helpers. It provides senior citizens with a professional caregiver and companion. Louis was matched with a male caregiver named Galen Houk. Tighe booked him to come to her dad's home three days a week. More than a year later, Tighe says Galen is like a friend of the family. "That's exactly what we have is a good friend," Tighe says, "These two are inseparable."

They go out to eat, see the latest movies, drop by home shows and prowl the local flea markets. The two do whatever Neckar wants or needs to do - and all the things his daughters wish they could do for their dad but simply don't always have the time - including grocery shopping and doctor appointments. It has given Tighe and her sister peace of mind and has given Neckar a much-needed buddy. "He's a friend; that's important," Neckar says.

Senior Helpers, based in Baltimore, is a care-giving franchise that has been operating in north Pinellas County for about a year and a half. It doesn't provide medical care - just companionship, a safe ride and assistance with daily activities. "We can provide companions to do things like meal preparation, transportation, medication reminders, housecleaning, just to be an extra set of hands," says Stacie Geier, who co-owns the north Pinellas Senior Helpers location with her husband.

Children of elderly parents are their primary customers. The service costs between $16 and $18 per hour, depending on how many hours are reserved each week. Geier says she has a network of 80 companions, men and women, who range in age from their 20s to their 70s. Her territory covers north Pinellas County, including Largo, Dunedin, Clearwater, and Safety Harbor. She has about 30 clients. This summer, another Senior Helpers franchise is expected to open in St. Petersburg and will provide service as far south as Bradenton and Sarasota. The goal is to help clients, whose average age is in the mid-80s, maintain their independence and remain in their homes as long as possible.

For Tighe and her sister, Senior Helpers has been the ideal solution for their healthy, active father. Galen and Neckar spend the day together, usually from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., then either Tighe or her sister take over for dinner.

It isn't cheap, but for the busy children of elderly parents, it's an ideal solution.

And the peace of mind is priceless.

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