Ottawa Home Helpers welcomes new owner

Dec. 11--OTTAWA -- Dana Cornell has taken on the role of the new owner of Ottawa Home Helpers and looks forward to helping clients with their non-medical needs.

He replaces Suzanne Blankemeier, whose last day was Nov. 30, and she has stayed on to train Cornell. She started the business Aug. 1, 2015 to provide a high-quality option for non-medical home care in the area.

"I will miss the clients and caregivers, and we have tried to build a sense of family here," Blankemeier said.

She said Cornell has the same mentality for quality and feels she is leaving the company in good hands and that he will do a good job.

Cornell will move from West Virginia to Ottawa and began his duties Dec. 1. He previously owned a cleaning business and an independent home care business.

Home Helpers serves Putnam County, in addition to Defiance, Findlay and Lima and Allen, Paulding, Henry and Hancock counties. Services provided include light meal preparation, hygiene and mobility assistance and light housekeeping.

"We have clients in their 50s who need help if their health is declining and other patients who are terminally ill with cancer," Cornell said.

The business also offers assistance to new moms, such as preparing meals and doing laundry.

"The No. 1 reason these services are important is because it keeps seniors away from nursing homes," Cornell said. As seniors age they want to stay in their own home so the service allows that, according to Cornell.

He said he is excited to take on the new role and meet the seniors in the area. Cornell has had business experience and is in an industry he said he is familiar with.

"People have been welcoming, and I can tell this is a close-knit community," Cornell said.

Services can be paid for through private pay and Long Term Care insurance. Home Helpers offers consultations over the phone or in person to get an idea of services that are need.

"The consultations are mandatory because we need to know what services are needed and what kind of ailments there are as well as the health condition," Cornell said. All clients have a plan of care and they there will be a care schedule established and they will be matched with a caregiver.

The business is at 145 N. Court St. #115 and hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The phone number is 415-615-4449.

By Jennifer Peryam

[email protected]

Reach Jennifer Peryam at 567-242-0362.

Reach Jennifer Peryam at 567-242-0362.

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