With the goal of helping people age gracefully, and safely, at home, Gardens of Western Reserve Home Care & Hospice provides a caring heart to those who need one

By Mary Malik

With the senior population growing every year, the need for home care or hospice is increasing right along with it. Where do you turn when you or someone you love needs help?

Gardens of Western Reserve Home Care & Hospice owners Rich Piekarski and Hanna Schindley have been involved in senior care their entire careers. They developed Gardens of Western Reserve Home Care and Hospice in 2014 to offer people the option to remain in their homes and receive all levels of care, including hospice services.

Gardens of Western Reserve provides care whether help is needed four hours a day, vacation services when the family needs a break, or 24/7, and everything in between.

“We go wherever we are needed,” Hanna says. “As a nurse and later an assisted living center administrator, I have vast experience in every area of eldercare and believe that truly caring for people means much more than just fulfilling their basic daily needs. It’s also about making a personal connection and improving their lives. Rich and I have seen the benefits of home care, and we know that taking away the stress of daily living keeps people living longer and better at home.”

In his career with large, corporate senior care companies, Rich traveled the country before settling in Cleveland. He later started two assisted living centers here. As partners, Rich and Hanna saw the benefits of home care and decided to focus on that and hospice services.

“We have purposely chosen to keep Gardens of Western Reserve small and very personalized, so our clients see the same people each day,” Rich says. “Our nurses and caregivers become like family to our clients, and we do everything in our power to ensure their experience is the best it can be. This is not a big corporation worried about the bottom line. We do whatever it takes to ensure our clients are well taken care of.”

Client Care Success Stories
Terri’s mom had been in rehab and started receiving care through another agency when Terri discovered Gardens of Western Reserve Hospice.

“I was seeing the Gardens of Western Reserve caregivers at Mama’s rehab center caring for other patients,” Terri says. “They were wonderful with everyone. They would never walk by without speaking to us, giving Mama a hug, and she wasn’t even a client.”

Terri soon made the switch and she and her mother experienced the Gardens of Western Reserve difference.

“They include me in every decision and every aspect of Mama’s care,” Terri says. “The nurses, aides, chaplain and counselors are all wonderful.”

Terri says the Gardens Hospice care team members take their time with her mother and come at all hours of the day or night if needed.

“Mama feels safe under their care,” Terri says. “They show up with a smile no matter what we need or when we need it. They are family.”

Rich and Hanna say that most of their clients come from word-of-mouth referrals.

“There’s nothing like hearing about a positive experience from a friend or neighbor going through the same thing,” says Hanna.

Lindsey’s family received help for her father the same day meeting with Richie. That was six months ago.

“My father was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a Parkinson’s Dementia that negatively affects sleep and causes hallucinations and delusions,” Lindsey says. “After it became unsafe for my parents to stay in their home of 35 years, they moved to a condominium and things got worse. My mother could no longer manage Dad’s needs on her own. We were exhausted, afraid and desperate for help.”

Lindsey and her family interviewed home healthcare options and were relieved to find Gardens of Western Reserve.

“Richie was so kind and patient. He listened and made us feel at ease,” Lindsey says. “He explained things simply and said he was always available via email, text or phone. I can tell you from experience, that is the truth.”

Lindsey’s father receives overnight care from two Gardens of Western Reserve Home Care caregivers, whom Lindsey describes as “calm, patient and caring.”

Lindsey’s family has also utilized daytime services so her mother can meet with friends, run errands and work.

“They meet my father’s needs, fix him meals, go for walks and offer companionship,” Lindsey says. “Richie even filled in when another staff member was unavailable. I was thankful for his commitment and compassion.”

Lindsey has one piece of advice for anyone needing help themselves or for a loved one.

“Don’t wait. Gardens of Western Reserve is straightforward, easy to communicate with and reliable,” Lindsey says. “My family and I are so thankful for them and their caring hearts. They are truly special people.”

Gardens of Western Reserve Home Care & Hospice is located at 3792 State Road in Cuyahoga Falls. For more information call 216-916-1110, email hanna@gardensofwesternreservehospice.com or check the website TheGardensOfWesternReserve.com.