Caring Hands ready to assist in the Thorndale area

Sandi Connell spoke about her business, Caring Hands Home Health Care, at the seniors’ coffee hour Jan. 21 at the Thorndale Lions Community Centre. Nancy Abra photo

By Nancy Abra

Occasionally, locals may require assistance but are uncertain about where to seek support or who to consult. An unexpected accident, illness, or surgery can disrupt one’s routine and quality of life, often necessitating additional help at home throughout the recovery period.

Caring Hands Home Health Care is a sole proprietorship business owned and operated by Sandi Connell, a registered nurse. After graduating with a diploma in nursing from Conestoga College in 1980, Connell began her nursing career at Sunnybrook Hospital and then at York Central Hospital in the cardiac wing.

She then ventured into the private sector and founded React Seminars in the mid 1990s as an authorized provider for the Canadian Red Cross and Heart & Stroke Foundation, training individuals in vital lifesaving techniques.

In 2010, recognizing the growing needs of individuals caring for family and friends, Connell and another registered nurse founded Caring Hands Home Health Care. Initially, they specialized in senior health care but have extended their service to provide care for all ages. Since 2017, Connell has been in Thorndale, where she resides and currently has an office at 160 King St.

After an initial call to start the process, Connell sets up a meeting to access what is needed for each of her clients. With her passion for helping people, she creates a personal care plan that best accommodates their needs, whether a client is living at home or in a long-term care facility. Services offered range from light housekeeping, laundry and help with meal preparations to more medical care such as post-surgical care, occupational therapy or respite relief for family members. She has both caregivers and personal support workers (PSW)on staff to help restore quality of life for each client while maintaining dignity and providing a safe, healthy environment.

“We are also familiar with the services and assistance available within the public health-care system,” said Connell. “We can coordinate these services as part of our customized health-care plan for the client.”

For more information, visit www.ilovethorndale.ca/business/caring-hands-home-health-care-inc/ or the Caring Hands Home Health Care website at www.caringhandshhc.ca.