Caregiving can be a challenging undertaking that requires a great deal of understanding, empathy and compassion. And, while it may feel daunting and overwhelming at times, being a caregiver yields rewards that can’t always be measured in tangible ways.
Whether serving individually or within an organization, caregivers must provide a level of attention that exceeds all expectations. It is this mindset that sets apart companies like Visiting Angels, a “network of home-care franchised agencies committed
to providing families with the best possible in-home care services” (visitingangels.com/newportnews/about-us).
As a home care agency, Visiting Angels, located on Thimble Shoals Boulevard in Newport News, offers two levels of service: companion care and personal care. “Companion care includes preparing and cooking meals, transportation to appointments, running errands with the clients, light housekeeping and laundry and reminding clients to take their meds,” says Rebecca Andresen, owner/director. While the first level of companion care is less hands on, personal care includes “helping with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, etc. and includes all companion care services.”
Andresen began working at Visiting Angels in 2012, then owned by her mother-in-law. Having fallen in love with the organization and its clients, and upon her mother-in-law’s retirement, Andresen purchased the company in 2019.
While the primary demographic for Visiting Angels is senior citizens, services are also offered to any adult in need (e.g. someone recovering from surgery) within the Virginia Peninsula area, to include Hampton, Williamsburg and beyond to Smithfield.
For Andresen, the most fulfilling part of what Visiting Angels does is providing individualized care to clients. “We get to know all our clients, figure out what their needs are, assess personalities and find caregivers who are the best fit possible,” she says. What is most important, though, is “finding people who really have a heart for this. We can teach someone the skills, but they have to come with the heart — they have it or they don’t,” says Andresen.
While a caregiver may work great with one client, that person may not be the right choice for another. Consequently, “when we match, we are matching one-on-one. We get to know each person over time and do a good job of figuring out who works best for our client,” Andresen continues.
To ensure quality service, Visiting Angels limits the number of clients to no more than 50 at any time. And, apparently, this strategy works well as the organization recently received an award from Home Care Pulse, a leading satisfaction research and quality management firm in the home care industry, naming Visiting Angels one of the top 100 agencies, out of approximately 3,000 agencies.
“What I really love is taking care of seniors who have put in their time, worked their whole lives and now we want to keep them as comfortable and safe as we can,” says Andresen. And, clearly, that passion shines within the company as well.
Helping to keep Andresen’s passion alive is the time she spends away from the office bonding with her dogs, walking and exercising, and reading — lots of reading. Her most current reading venture is Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean fantasy book series, a genre her husband encouraged her to read but not normally one to which she would gravitate. It’s this kind of openness to adventure and exploration that’s sure to keep Visiting Angels at the top of the list for in-home care.
TO THE POINT:
Visiting Angels
Address: 704 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Ste. 600B, Newport News, VA 23606
Contact: Rebecca Andresen, owner/director
Phone: Office: 757-599-4145,
Cell: 757-810-5901
Email: randresen@visitingangels.com
Website: visitingangels.com/newportnews/home
