Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl McClure.
Cheryl, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Twenty-five years ago, my vibrant grandmother fell off her porch while painting and fractured her hip; life-changing, not life-threatening. During her stay in the hospital, she developed pneumonia. Rehab was not available to her back then so she came home to heal with a home care agency. Because they didn’t understand the importance of getting her up and moving with pneumonia, her aide allowed her to be sedentary. She died from complications of pneumonia. At the time, I knew nothing about care at home.
Twelve years ago, my husband’s mother who lived in San Antonio became very ill and confined to bed. We contracted with a home care agency to take care of her. Within three weeks of service, he received a call from the next door neighbor who noticed her front door was wide open. We tried calling the house, no answer. We jumped in the car and drove to San Antonio to find his mother’s home ransacked, no aide in the site; his mother had been left alone without care for at least two days! When we contacted the agency, we were told they were sorry for what happened, but all we could do was file a police report!
After having such horrible experiences, my husband and I decided, we were the only ones we trusted with her care. We spent the next nine months caring for his mother; giving her the best quality of life, we possibly could. This was a very difficult time for us, juggling jobs, children and the care of his mother.
Upon her passing, we discussed and decided the care of people had to be better. This is when You’re First began to take shape. Our philosophy is “we put you first”.
Over the years, we have strived to have loving, kind-hearted and educated health care providers. We have continued to look for better ways to provide care whether it is new care programs, the latest equipment, and a wider range of education for our staff.
Today, we are very proud of You’re First. Our care programs are unique and we strive to help our clients thrive, not just survive.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been an easy road. We have interviewed over 1,000 aides during the past 10 years looking for those who meet our standards and philosophy. This has been the most difficult aspect of running a home care agency.
Educating the community has been another challenge. People do not understand why Medicare or their health care insurance does not pay for custodial care.
These have been and continue to be the most difficult issues we deal with.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
You’re First specializes in metal (all types of cognitive impairment) and physical challenges. We certify our staff in Dementia; train them in range of motion and strive to provide the most competent and knowledgeable staff. We only hire licensed Certified Nurse Assistants; I am not aware of any other home care agency that does this.
Our referrals come from other health care providers and word of mouth from current and previous clients and/or family members. This is quite an honor for us.
We partner with the Alzheimer’s Association, providing respite care for their conferences held all around the city. We are proud of our Dementia programs and care.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Houston is a good city for home care agencies, having a large population of older adults and the medical center. This being said, the market in Houston for home care agencies has become somewhat saturated over the last few years. Texas Health and Human Services, an agency that issues licenses for home care agencies in Texas, does not limit or place a moratorium on new licenses for home care. There are hundreds of home care agencies in the Houston, Texas area. Competition is great for the consumer but it also stresses the pool of good aides and caregivers. This encourages agencies to “settle” on quality staff.
Pricing:
- The average cost per hour for in-home care in the Houston area is $21 – $25 per hour
Contact Info:
- Address: 18319 Cypress Stone Lane
Cypress, TX 77429 - Website: www.yourefirst.net
- Phone: 281-382-2754
- Email: info@yourefirst.net
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/yourefirst
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/youre-first-cypress?osq=youre+first
Image Credit:
Nichole Poulos Photography
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