Thursday, 10 November 2011 14:28

Home care provider offers jobs to veterans

Written by Guy Dawson

Veterans Day occurs this week, so it seems an appropriate time to focus our attention on those who've served our country. At Visiting Angels, a local in-home health care provider, the demand for employees to provide care for its senior and disabled clientele is growing, and with the recent passing of the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act by the U.S. House of Representatives, Visiting Angels actively is seeking to employ veterans as caregivers. The bill is designed to create 400,000 jobs for veterans during the next two years.

"Our clients are requesting more hours from us, which means we need more employees," said Michael DiAsio, co-owner of Visiting Angels' Henderson facility, which is the largest in Southern Nevada and is located at 1701 N. Green Valley Parkway.

"With a large generation on the brink of needing services, there is a need for employees who can help with the more physical aspect of our work—helping people in an out of bed or from a sitting position into a wheelchair. 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."

Visiting Angels is a home health care franchise with more than 400 offices nationwide. Its goal is to help seniors or disabled people maintain their independence by staying in the comfort of their own homes. Clients are assisted with the activities of daily living, such as preparing meals, doing dishes, laundry and changing bed linen. Visiting Angel employees also provide clients with transportation to and from doctor and dentist appointments, as well as for grocery shopping.

"We help our clients with exercise and give them the kind of one-on-one care that they would never receive in a nursing home," said DiAsio. "A big part of the services we provide is just companionship, and that is so important."

According to DiAsio, Visiting Angels has seen an increased demand for male caregivers, which is somewhat unique, as the caregiving industry often attracts more female workers.

"Visiting Angels employs women and men who have the necessary skills to provide our clients with the best care possible," he 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."

DiAsio said that veterans with any sort of medical background or anything equivalent are encouraged to apply with Visiting Angels.

"Employees stay with us an average of four years," he said. "Working for us could be a stepping stone for something else. You will gain some valuable experience in home health care."

Robert Pumlee, a Vietnam veteran works part-time as a caregiver for Visiting Angels. Two years ago, he was laid off and couldn't find part-time work due to his age and the economic climate, he said.

"There wasn't anything out there," Pumlee added. "For my situation, Visiting Angels works out very well. For returning veterans, it's difficult to find work now. And this is meaningful work that is contributing to people's lives."

Bonding with other vets is also a perk of the job, Pumlee said.

"We, as vets, relate to one another," he said. "We understand what the other has been through."

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

http://www.hendersonpress.com/local-new ... o-veterans