Visiting Angels expands, opens second office in Summerlin

Demand increase allows Las Vegas residents easier access to home care

HENDERSON, Nev. – In response to increasing demand for home care in the Las Vegas Valley, Visiting Angels recently opened a second office in Summerlin, 9436 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 11-F, just west of Del Webb Boulevard. The first office is located in Henderson.

Business is up 20 percent across the board from this same time in 2011. With 40 percent of their clientele in the Summerlin area already, it only made sense for Michael and Jackie DiAsio to transform their “on call” location into a brick and mortar office where clients in Las Vegas can have easier access to services.

“We’ve always provided services to Summerlin even though our physical location was in Henderson,” said Michael DiAsio, co-owner of Visiting Angels. “However, many people didn’t realize we served the entire valley. As our business continued to grow, it only made sense to open a second physical location, this time in Summerlin.”

Visiting Angels provides in-home care to the disabled and senior population. Services include everything from personal hygiene care and light housekeeping to grocery shopping, companionship and meal preparation. Patients with memory loss issues are apt to wander off, leave on appliances or possibly injure themselves; in-home care can provide the safety factor families need when they leave their loved ones at home.

The expansion to the Summerlin office also allows Visiting Angels to add more caregivers to its team. In 2012, they added 69 more employees. Although the overall demand for caregivers is on the rise, the number of male clients who specifically request a male caregiver has increased in the last year. Also, with the number of military veterans reaching an age where they require at-home care, the request for a military veteran caregiver, too, has become more frequent.

With the summer months near, an increase in respite care also is on the horizon. Visiting Angels provides care for loved ones whose caregivers need a vacation. Visiting Angels works with Helping Hands of Vegas Valley and the Alzheimer’s Association under the organizations’ respite voucher programs, which fund respite care for qualifying families throughout the year. While many families take vacations during the summer, there are times throughout the year when a rest is needed as well.

“Some families utilize our services every time they go on vacation, two or three times a year,” DiAsio said. “We can be as flexible as needed, whether it’s for a few hours, a week or all summer.”

Visiting Angels is senior home care with more than 400 franchises across the United States with three franchises in Southern Nevada. The Green Valley Parkway office – located at 1701 N. Green Valley Pkwy. – and the Summerlin office – located at  9436 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 11-F – are owned by Michael and Jackie DiAsio. The Green Valley Parkway office is the largest in Southern Nevada. The DiAsios’ locations serve Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City.

For more information on Visiting Angels or to apply for a position as a caregiver for the company, visit www.visitingangels.com or call 1-800-365-4189.

Visiting Angels caregiver uses training to save Las Vegas man

All of Visiting Angels’ caregivers are trained in CPR, fall prevention, more

HENDERSON, Nev.  – Every morning, Tony May arrives at the Belew home to help Tony Belew get ready for the day. As a caregiver with Visiting Angels, May assists the 51-year-old with everything from a shower to breakfast.

Because Belew is approximately 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, it’s physically impossible for Linda Belew to help her husband with these tasks. Last year, while taking a shower, Belew suffered a stroke and lost consciousness. Although Belew outweighs May by 100 pounds, he was able to gently lower Belew to the floor and begin CPR while Linda Belew called paramedics.

A professional caregiver for five years, this was the first time May had to use his training to save a life.

“I was always afraid if something happened I’d be scared, but my instincts kicked in and I knew what to do,” May said. “I’m really happy what I learned saved his life.”

Linda Belew, shaken and distraught, was amazed May was able to take such gentle care of her husband during a delicate, and slippery, situation.

“That was a super human feat,” she said. “The reason I thought it was so heroic is my husband is a big man. Tony was so calm under pressure. I was pretty much panicking,” she added. “I shudder to think what would’ve happened if he went into that type of seizure and Tony wasn’t here. We were very appreciative of his skills that day.”

Michael DiAsio, co-owner of Visiting Angels in Henderson and Summerlin, said feats like this aren’t common but illustrates the level of skill caregivers possess.

Along with CPR, caregivers undergo additional training when they join the Visiting Angels team, no matter what their medical background may be. Some of the topics covered during the two-day training are household safety, body mechanics and transfer techniques, elder abuse signs, nutrition and hydration, Alzheimer’s disease communication, and fall prevention. Caregivers also learn how to care for themselves as to prevent injury on the job.

“There have been other incidents where the training caregivers received saved lives. They are there to help care for people who need assistance caring for themselves or, like in Mrs. Belew’s case, where family members can’t either,” DiAsio said. “Caregivers are there to make sure their clients are safe and have their activities of daily living met. It allows them to stay at home instead of going to a specialty care facility, as Visiting Angels’ care is typically more affordable and ‘one-on-one.’”

After a stroke in May 2008, Tony Belew spent 13 months in specialty care centers and a nursing home before he was able to come home in April 2009. Tony May started assisting the family the day after Tony Belew’s 49th birthday. Since then, May has become almost like an extended member of the Belew family.

“His father calls me their other son,” May said. “I’m very close to the family as well.”

There was a time when Linda Belew thought she wouldn’t be able to bring her husband home. Now, with the help of Visiting Angels, she has the help the family needs to stay together.

“I love Visiting Angels. They are so wonderful. We wanted him home, but we weren’t able to afford it at the beginning,” Linda Belew said. “I would never be able to care for my husband if it wasn’t for them.”

Visiting Angels is senior home care with more than 400 franchises across the United States. With two franchises in Southern Nevada, the Green Valley Parkway office – located at1701 N. Green Valley Pkwy.– is owned by the DiAsios and is the largest in Southern Nevada. It serves Henderson, the south, southwest, west and northwest regions ofLas Vegas. Due to an increase in need, the DiAsios have opened a satellite office in Summerlin off Lake Mead Boulevard and Rampart Road. Between its Henderson and Summerlin locations, Visiting Angels now employs more than 225 caregivers like Tony May who assist roughly 400 clients every day.

For more information on Visiting Angels or to apply for a position as a caregiver for the company, visit www.visitingangels.com or call 800-365-4189.

Visiting Angels seeking veterans to fill roles as caregivers

Local in-home care provider looking to employ former military to meet demand

HENDERSON, Nev. – At Visiting Angels, the demand for employees to provide care for their senior and disabled clientele is growing, which means the need for caregivers who can physically help clients is on the rise as well. With a current unemployment rate for veterans at 8.1 percent – 1 percentage point less than the national jobless rate – Visiting Angels is actively recruiting these men and women for their unique skills.

The House of Representatives recently passed the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act, which hopes to put 400,000 or more veterans to work in the next two years. Visiting Angels doesn’t want to wait that long. Veterans with any sort of medical background, or anything equivalent, are encouraged to apply.

“Our clients are requesting more hours from us, which means we need more employees. With a large generation on the brink of needing our services, there is a need for employees that can help with the more physical aspect of our work – helping people in and out of bed or from a sitting position into a wheelchair,” said Michael DiAsio, co-owner of the Las Vegas and Henderson franchises. “Also, many of our clients are veterans, and when we can bring two people together who can form a bond, that makes their experience with us even better.”

Recently, Visiting Angels has seen an increased demand for male caregivers, which is somewhat unique, as the care giving industry often attracts more female workers. An increase of male clients who specifically request male caregivers is growing, not to mention a perceived strength associated with them.

“Visiting Angels employs women and men who have the necessary skills to provide our clients with the best care possible,” DiAsio said. “However, when a client makes a request for a veteran or a male caregiver, we would like to be able to provide that level of comfort. Home care is a personal part of a client’s health care. Matching clients with the perfect employee is our utmost concern.”

Robert Plumlee, a Vietnam veteran, works part-time as a caregiver for Visiting Angels. A psychiatric technician in his younger days, Plumlee has a background with geriatric patients. Two years ago, he was laid off and couldn’t find part-time work due to his age and the economic environment, he said.

“There wasn’t anything out there,” he added. “I’m sure veterans wouldn’t think of Visiting Angels right away, but it’s not hard work, but you have to have patience. You have to have empathy. For my situation it works out very well. For returning veterans, it’s difficult to find work now. And this is meaningful. You’re contributing to people’s lives.”

Bonding with fellow vets is also a perk of the job, Plumlee said.

“We, as vets, relate to each other,” he said. “We understand the other has been through. They have an appreciation that they’re relating to another vet.”

Visiting Angels is senior home care with more than 400 franchises across the United States. With two franchises in Southern Nevada, the Green Valley Parkwayoffice – located at 1701 N. Green Valley Pkwy. – is owned by the DiAsios and is the largest in Southern Nevada. It serves Henderson, the south, southwest, west and northwest regions of Las Vegas. Due to an increase in need, the DiAsios have opened a satellite office in Summerlin off Lake Mead Boulevard and Rampart Road.

For more information on Visiting Angels or to apply for a position as a caregiver for the company, visit www.visitingangels.com or call 1-800-365-4189.

Respite care allows families to have guilt-free summer vacations

Visiting Angels provides in-home care for residents, visitors at low cost

HENDERSON, Nev. – Caring for a loved one who can’t take care of themselves can be trying on family caregivers who work tirelessly to keep their loved ones safe and healthy. During the summer months, when families are going on vacations, sometimes the guilt of leaving a family member behind can be so overwhelming families stay home. Visiting Angels can give families the respite they need to recharge their batteries and rest easy knowing their family members are in good hands.

Visiting Angels provides in-home care to the disabled and senior population. Services include everything from personal care and light housekeeping to grocery shopping, companionship and meal preparation. Patients with memory loss issues are apt to wander off, leave on appliances or possibly injure themselves; in-home care can provide the safety factor families need when they leave their loved ones at home.

“It can be a weekend. It can be for a week,” said Michael DiAsio, co-owner of two Las Vegas Valley Visiting Angels locations. “We have a client now who we’re caring for all summer. We’re very flexible – whether it’s regular service or respite care service.”

Visiting Angels works with Helping Hands of Vegas Valley and the Alzheimer’s Association under the organizations’ respite voucher programs, which fund respite care for qualifying families throughout the year. Many families take their vacations in the summer, but there are times throughout the year when a rest is needed as well.

“We have families who utilize our services two or three times a year when they go on vacation,” DiAsio said. “It can be one time or every time they go on vacation.”

Since Visiting Angels is a part of a national franchise, it also services seniors visiting Las Vegas who need some extra help. When a 96-year-old from New York visited Las Vegas to attend a conference on The Strip recently, Visiting Angels helped with transportation, including wheelchair service. Visiting Angels also offers a two-hour minimum, which is half the industry standard, to help families on a budget.

“Respite care has always been a part of our business,” DiAsio said. “But during the summer months, when people are traveling in and out of town, we like them to know we are there for them with any of the services we offer. They don’t even have to be a Nevada resident.”

Visiting Angels is senior home care with more than 400 franchises across the United States. With two franchises in Southern Nevada, the Green Valley Parkway office – located at 1701 N. Green Valley Pkwy. – is owned by the DiAsios and is the largest inSouthern Nevada. It serves Henderson, the south, southwest, west and northwest regions of Las Vegas. Due to an increase in need, the DiAsios have opened a satellite office in Summerlin offLake Mead BoulevardandRampart Road.

For more information on Visiting Angels or to apply for a position as a caregiver for the company, visit www.visitingangels.com or call 1-800-365-4189.

Local home care company grows 40 percent despite recession

Company celebrating one year under new ownership

HENDERSON, Nev. – When Michael and Jackie DiAsio purchased the local Visiting Angels franchise located at1701 N. Green Valley Pkwy. one year ago, they knew they’d made the right business decision. Nevada seniors are expected to be the fastest growing segment of the population in the next 20 years, and with that growth comes the need to provide services.

Sure enough, since the DiAsios purchased Visiting Angels in January 2010, they have grown the company’s client base 40 percent despite the down economy. As a result, they have hired 43 additional employees – an increase of 29 percent.  They now have 190 total employees.

“As a result of its dry, warm climate that’s often recommended for the elderly,Southern Nevadaattracts a large number of seniors who need – or will need – the services we provide, which help seniors keep their independence,” Jackie DiAsio said. “Our goal at Visiting Angels is to help our clients continue to live on their own by assisting them with their basic, everyday needs.”

There are several reasons the DiAsios’ company, specifically, has seen such an increase in growth:

• The DiAsios have continued to build on the excellent reputation established by the founders (Bonnie and Steve Robbins) and Jackie DiAsio, who was the Robbins’ office manager.
• In this challenging economy, they have helped seniors by cutting prices below the market and by offering flexible care options to clients in the form of two-hour increments (most places offer a minimum of four hours) at an hourly rate of just $20. This keeps their services affordable to those who might not be able to them otherwise.
• The DiAsios’ Visiting Angels has many common clients with local healthcare providers such as The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Brain Center and Nathan Adelson Hospice.  In fact, Nathan Adelson and the Alzheimer’s Association assist with employee training for Visiting Angels. 
• They continue to hire and retain responsible employees (caregivers) who assist their 425-plus clients every day in their homes.  Even with the new 43 employees, the company’s average employee has been with Visiting Angels for about four years.  Since the DiAsios have taken over, three caregivers have been promoted to office positions.

 Not only has the DiAsios’ Visiting Angels experienced rapid growth of clients and employees, but they have also been able to provide a spotless record with the State of Nevada:

• During a 2011 unannounced Focused State Re-licensure Survey conducted by the State of Nevada’s Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance, Visiting Angels had no deficiencies. 

• During its 2011 unannounced Program Compliance Review by the State of Nevada’s Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (Nevada Medicaid), Visiting Angels obtained an overall score of 100 percent.
• The DiAsios continue to maintain an A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau. All of the company’s caregivers have had extensive background checks and are licensed caregivers.

Focusing on in-home services, Visiting Angels’ caregivers provide a variety of services to the growing senior population and the disabled, including everything from personal care and light housekeeping, to grocery shopping, companionship and meal preparation. These services also give the family member (caregiver) a respite.

“While the services we provide are basic, they’re essential to a person’s ability to continue living alone, which is important to many seniors’ sense of identity,” Michael DiAsio said. “We largely promote socialization and activity (exercise) by helping our clients with the daily tasks that may have become a little difficult for them.”

The DiAsios’ franchise of Visiting Angels first opened its doors in Henderson, Nev. in 2000 to serve the Las VegasValley’s growing senior and disabled communities. Although assisted living facilities, hospitals and other treatment centers existed, none of them served seniors and disabled with the sole purpose of keeping those individuals in their own homes. In the past decade, its caregivers have served more than 1.2 million hours of in-home care all across theLas VegasValley. The large staff consists of 190 caregivers who have been with Visiting Angels for, on average, four years.

The company is looking to double the size of its client base and number of employees in the next 10 years and keep up with the growing senior population in the area.

Visiting Angels also makes efforts to educate and direct families in need to the elderly care resources available in theLas VegasValley. Such services include hospice, grant programs, government programs, The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, elder care attorneys, assisted living facilities and home health care agencies. 

Visiting Angels is senior home care with more than 400 franchises across the United States. With three franchises in Southern Nevada, the Green Valley Parkway office – located at 1701 N. Green Valley Pkwy.– is owned by the DiAsios and is the largest inSouthern Nevada. It serves Henderson, the south, southwest, west and northwest regions of Las Vegas. Due to an increase in need, the DiAsios have opened a satellite office in Summerlin off Lake Mead Boulevard andRampart Road.

For more information on Visiting Angels or to apply for a position as a caregiver for the company, visit www.visitingangels.com or call 1-800-365-4189.