Julie and Steve Garrison Fulfill Dream of Being Business Owners With New Franchise

FRANKFORT, Ky. - April 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Julie and Steve Garrison have always wanted to own their own business, but the timing was just never right. But then two things happened: the couple became the caregivers for Julie’s mom and retirement was approaching. The time had come.

The Garrisons just launched Home Helpers & Direct Link of Frankfort, Kentucky.

“A few years ago, Julie’s mom was ill and we moved her to Kentucky to be with us. She quickly needed more care than we were prepared for, so we started to learn about what it takes to care for a parent with failing health. When we started researching businesses and found Home Helpers, everything they said matched exactly with what we were going through,” Steve said. “Home Helpers and Direct Link gives us an opportunity to start our own business and to do something that will have a positive impact on the community and the people who live here.”

Founded in 1997, Home Helpers is the nation’s leading franchise specializing in comprehensive home care for seniors, new mothers and individuals needing recuperative and continuing assistance. Direct Link is its proprietary line of 24/7 medical alert systems, including a fall sensor, automated medication dispenser and vital signs monitoring units.

Home Helpers & Direct Link of Frankfort, Kentucky, serves Lexington, Frankfort, Georgetown and Midway.

Julie will be running the day-to-day operations of the business. Her background includes experience in customer service, relationship building and sales, and she has worked with hospitals, medical offices, pain care centers, corporate businesses, hospitality and long-term care facilities. Steve plans to continue his career as the regional director of operations and purchasing for Bluegrass.org, a community mental health center in central Kentucky.

“We are local, and we understand what you’re going through. We’ve been there, and we know how emotionally trying it can be to be the child and the caregiver. It becomes a huge issue, and we understand. When we were caring for my mom, she had 70 doctors’ appointments in one year. If you’re working, that’s extremely difficult, and that’s just one example,” Julie said.

Home Helpers & Direct Link offer free in-home consultations and works with each client to create a flexible, affordable care plan based on a person’s individual needs. Services offered include companionship, personal hygiene, meal preparation and transportation, as well as medical services such as medication management, vital signs monitoring and care management.

“Home Helpers is a strong company with national support. Our franchise is bonded and insured and our caregivers are certified. This is a huge calling for us – we want to be here to help make lives more comfortable,” Julie added.

The Garrisons have lived in Kentucky for more than 30 years and in the Lexington/Frankfort area for more than 20 years.  Julie is active in Women Leading Kentucky, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and the Lexington Board of Associated Realtors. Steve is a board member of the Federated Transportation Services of the Bluegrass and a member of the Kentucky Public Transportation Association. He has also been a
Board member of the Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, a member of the National Homebuilders Association, the Regional Healthcare Emergency Planning Committee and active in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

To learn more about how Home Helpers & Direct Link of Frankfort can help you and your family, call 859-797-3127, email jgarrison@homehelpers.cc , or visit www.HomeCareFrankfortKY.com.

About Home Helpers

Founded in 1997, Cincinnati-based Home Helpers is one of the nation’s leading home care franchises. With an ongoing commitment to helping people live healthier, more independent lives in the comfort of their own homes, Home Helpers works with seniors, new and expectant mothers, those recovering from illness or injury, and individuals facing lifelong challenges. Home Helpers is affiliated with Direct Link, a national provider of 24/7 emergency response systems and vital signs monitoring units. For more information about the company or about how you can open your own Home Helpers franchise, visit www.HomeHelpers.CC.