Hill activist helps the chronically ill to cope

by BETH A. BROOKS

Sometimes all it takes is a little help. HomeCare Associates, a health care provider headquartered at 1315 Walnut St., has designed a service that will put it among leaders in the home care field. Launched in January 2005, Heartwork personal care services was designed to help people who need a helping hand or just companionship in order to remain in their own homes.

HCA is an employee-owned home care agency providing help to those needing assistance with their daily needs. Founded in 1993, this company serves the entire five-county region. In caring for the sick and elderly in a direct care environment, HCA found its niche, while providing 190 jobs, many for former welfare recipients.

Traditionally, most of those HCA served were chronically ill and in need of short-term help after hospitalization, or were either physically or mentally disabled. Heartwork can provide companionship, allowing clients a measure of independence and the ability to remain in their own homes. Aides can also do light housekeeping, such as changing bed linens and vacuuming; heavier housework is not included. Aides can also run errands or escort a client to a doctor’s visit. HCA has the ability to be flexible. If needed, HCA can provide coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week and tailor services to fit client needs.

Current HCA president and 10-year Chestnut Hill resident Karen Kulp says, “Our focus has been on providing home health services for individuals with more complex medical needs. Now, we’re prepared to help families with parents or loved ones who just need an extra pair of hands or a caring companion. The same certified home health aides will provide personal care, so if the clients’ needs change over time, we’ll be there to support them.”

HCA has a good track record in working with the community, having helped more than 60 percent of its employees move off of welfare roles in order to improve their quality of life. Through employment, HCA has enabled more than 900 people to become self-reliant. Kulp, 53, who formerly lived in Mt. Airy and Germantown for 15 years, “hopes to empower people to do their best. Many of our employees have transformed their lives after struggle and loss. After three months, an employee can become a worker/owner. In fact, our board of directors is made up mostly of worker/owners.” Under Kulp’s leadership, business has grown between 25 and 30 percent in the past year.

Kulp, a high school English teacher in New Jersey for five years before coming to Philadelphia, where she was executive director of Women Organized Against Rape for five years, first became acquainted with HCA as a consultant. “I fell in love with the place. The people here are wonderful.”

Her love for children led to a consulting project with the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s school readiness project. She also served as chief of staff for Allyson Schwartz. Kulp also serves on the boards of Center in the Park, the Delaware Valley Early Care and Learning Council, the paraprofessional Healthcare Institute and Mt. Airy USA. Kulp is also a Democratic State Committeeperson and is currently involved with a group of people who are starting a community bank in Mt. Airy.

Newly recruited entry-level aides at HomeCare Associates receive four weeks (150 hours) of paid training. During training, 50 hours are devoted to the teaching of “soft skills.” Aides sometimes don’t get a lot of recognition, so Kulp “makes them the heart of the organization.” After completing the program, aides are certified under federal Medicare regulations.

Currently, HCA has contracted with 27 home healthcare agencies, including the VNA (Visiting Nurses Association) of Greater Philadelphia, Wissahickon Hospice, Jefferson Health Care, Inglis House, Penn Life Program and Liberty Resources (advocates for independent living for people with disabilities).

HCA has a better-than-industry average in the retention of its workers. Turnover is about 50 percent. There are currently 10 employees who have been there since the company began, and there are many more with five or more years of service. For more information, call 215-735-0677.

Two shop categories people tell me they’d like to see on the Hill are, one, lingerie: we had one on Highland Avenue, presently Cardonick Chiropractic., but it closed a few years ago. People also want a linen shop. There was one in part of the present El Quetzal space. That shop also closed. Each of these shops closed partly due to personal reasons of the owners, not from lack of business, so it would have been wise at the time for someone to have taken the initiative to hunt down some similar stores to replace the ones that left.

One other interesting item showed up as a result of my travels on the Hill today: I learned that a new small art gallery is opening, around September 1, in the space that previously housed Artisans Too, at 8117 Germantown Ave. They’re having a grand opening on September 16, and are working on the place now. Go. Peek in the window. It’s going to be a charming little gallery.

I have fun tramping up and down the Avenue, encountering many of you who read this column regularly, and who always have kind words to say about it. Much appreciated, too. Stay tuned. See you on the Avenue.