CARE at Home Iowa ready to care for Henry County

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

It?s been two years in the making, but Denice Pearson-Libby?s business is up and running.

Pearson-Libby is the owner and administrator of CARE at Home Iowa, a home health care service.

Pearson-Libby said the idea for the business came about through a discussion with her husband, Bob Libby, about the needs of the community. Libby owns CARE Ambulance in Iowa City and Waterloo.

?There?s a need right now for home care,? said Pearson-Libby. ?Our baby boomers are growing and getting to that stage of life where they need some help and there?s not a whole lot (of help) in this area so I decided to open up the company to serve them.?

Pearson-Libby said it?s been a long road, filling out applications and getting the proper permits and license, but she says it?s all worth it.

?We started seeing patients in February,? she said.

However, the business has not had their grand opening, yet, Pearson-Libby said that will come in October.

?We?ve had a really good response, though,? Pearson-Libby said, adding CARE at Home Iowa was recently voted No. 1 home health service by the Burlington Hawk Eye.

Right now the business is adding clients through word-of-mouth, but is working to get a referral basis set up with local doctors.

?We want to let everyone know we?re here,? she added.

CARE at Home Iowa, which is located at 907 East Washington Street, Suite 105, has about a dozen employees and offers a wide range of services.

?We do everything from companion services up to skilled nursing,? said Pearson-Libby.

Pearson-Libby added the company is in the final stages of receiving Medicare certification and is currently CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Partner) certified.

?I?m relieved and a little worried,? Pearson-Libby said of opening the business and finding clients. ?We?re on the down hill slide, we?re getting there, but I know we have a lot of work still to do.?