Homecare Suppliers began as simply a stairlift company. We sold one stairlift in the beginning, the Summit SL350. There was a huge need for qualified dealers and installers at that time. The market was not saturated with internet dealers and there weren’t 14 different dealers in our area. Simply put, there was a need and demand. We stepped into the gap in our area as well as online. It was our online presence that set us apart. There were not very many dealers selling these units via the internet. Our sales were amazing those first years.

Then two things happened, the economy took a hit and the market became saturated with stairlift dealers. Thankfully, we had diversified. We had increased our stairlift product line, we began selling various other mobility products including ramps, lifting devices and daily living products.

During the next couple of years the economy also boomed with senior living products and CAP (Certified Aging in Place) remodelers and builders. The baby boomers caused a boom in the senior market. With the influx of retailers, including big box stores carrying aging in place items, smaller mobility companies felt the most changes. Amazon and large online dealers added to the crunch by offering some of our products at discount pricing that was so low many of us were unable to compete.

So, what then set Homecare Suppliers apart? These things alone: Customer Service and the willingness to go the extra mile. We aren’t tooting our own horn here. That is truly what has allowed us to stay in the game. We have always been a family run organization. We have always focused upon our customers and their needs, not the bottom line. We committed to being a supplier of stairlifts and home care supplies because there was and is a huge need.

The people that call us are in need, often a far greater need then just getting a simple product. They are in transition. They or someone they know are suddenly facing mobility challenges. These challenges come with many questions, more than just the price of the unit. It is there that I believe Homecare Suppliers stands apart from the big box stores, the massive internet distributors and the fly-by-night dealers that pop up overnight and then slip away when they see how competitive the market is.

We have ate, slept and lived stairlifts and mobility products. When we began our company we came from diverse backgrounds. One of us had years of experience in human resources and customer service. Another of us was a trained law enforcement officer with an inherent desire to serve and protect. Another of us was an experienced IT person with vast experience in internet marketing and web promotions. We came with qualified consultants and contractors that knew all the ins and outs of the industry. We each stepped into our rolls with a hope of making a difference.

Looking back over the last seven years, I know that we have.

So looking forward into the fullness of 2012, our eyes continue to be on standing apart from our competitors. We will never be a huge conglomerate that carries every item needed for those facing mobility challenges. Our goal was never to be a big box store. So, with eyes focused straight ahead we will continue down the path that is before us – making it possible for those with mobility challenges to live life unlimited!!

Once I had read the article, I ripped it out and put it in a drawer. I felt the desire to write about it and share it with others, but it took my daughter to inspire me to actually do something more.

All summer, my eleven year old daughter talked about volunteering with the Special Olympics, a global organization serving people with intellectual disabilities. She had heard about it from a family friend who is a coordinator in our area. I figured that my daughter would change her mind when school and sports started. However, she did not. She reminded me every week she would be volunteering once school began. This past Tuesday was her first day volunteering. She is partnered with another 11 year old and they have begun bowling for two hours once a week. The entire drive home, she told me about it. Her excitement made me excited and proud.

Through Homecare Suppliers, we have, directly and indirectly, helped many different types of people: seniors, boomers, disabled, those that are dying, as well as caregivers. Over the last few years, I have felt the desire to do more. But, I did not want to take away from what I do at our company. We have helped with some wonderful organizations: MS, MDA, Cancer Society, Stroke Foundation, Area of Aging, and specific individuals. We have participated in events and donated. As I listened to my 11 year old daughter, I realized that her joy was not from helping the cause. It was from being a part of it. She had established a real connection. She was making a difference. This was a committment on her part, a long term committment. She is building her future around this.

Writing a check or attending an event is important. It keeps these organizations running. I have the luxury, at this point, to just step in and out of these organizations. The people living day in and day out with a disability don’t have that option. This is their future in many cases. Shouldn’t I be an example to my daughter? Shouldn’t I become faithful to helping more everyday? So, I searched for a group with whom to connect. I have filled out my volunteer form. I am just waiting to see how they want to use me.

If you are reading this, maybe you can help someone or some entity become limitless. If you already have a person or organization with whom you are linked, try to share your joy with others. Shine a light on it.

Mack began running with Cameron for Cameron. Yet in the end, the entire team began to participate with these races. Mack touched Cameron, and Cameron touched a community.

Reach out and make a personal connection. May you feel the joy and cast that light to others.

Below are several National Organizations that need volunteers:

Special Olympics

MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association)
MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
American Cancer Society
American Stroke Foundation
DAV (Disabled American Veterans)
Volunteer Match

Homecare Suppliers has joined together with several businesses, churches and individuals to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this storm. This was not birthed out of one heart but out of MANY with a greater love to serve, share and make a difference in the lives of all those impacted.

The lists keeps growing daily of all those that are participating in the relief efforts for Joplin. Far and wide people are joining together to help. Here is just a glimpse of those that are making a difference. If you’d like to help, we encourage you to check out our resource list to find a way to make a difference. Some of these organizations are local – some are not.

Clothing Drive For Joplin Resident’s Facebook Page. The clothing that is collected through this community wide effort will be going to College Heights Christian Church in Joplin for distribution. The other supplies collected will be distributed to the organizations and churches that have need at the time of delivery – so we can ensure that the supplies and donated goods reach those in need in Joplin. This is predominantly for those in the Lee’s Summit, Liberty and Kansas City metropolitan area.

Lee’s Summit Drop Sites
o New Longview Apartments Office
460 SW Longview Road , Lee’s Summit, MO

o Allee & Co, CPA, LLC
1308 NE Windsor, Lee’s Summit, MO

o Jake’s Summit (In the new shopping addition by Macy’s)
880 NW Blue Parkway #H, Lee’s Summit, MO

o Homecare Suppliers/Pam Billings
Call For Directions or pick-up of bulk items – 816-525-2205

Blue Springs Drop Site
o UMB Bank (Near Woods Chapel Road and I-70)
3500 NW South Outer Rd, Blue Springs, MO

Liberty Drop Site
o St. James Catholic Church – In the orange buckets in Lobby
309 S. Stewart Road, Liberty, MO

o Suzanne Keisling
Call for Directions or pick-up of bulk items – 816-801-9040

Pick Up Locations in Kansas City area – contact Pam Billings at Homecare Suppliers 816-525-2205
Donation Bins – If you need a drop bin in your business – please contact Pam Billings as well.

Best Resource for Up-to-Date Details on Joplin
There is an awesome page on Facebook that is giving constant details with many resources and ways to aid those in Joplin. It is Joplin Tornado Recovery – https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151158224954447&ref=ts#!/joplinmo?sk=notes. This also has a resource database in their notes section for EVERY state that has some sort of effort going to help Joplin after the storm!

Financial Donations
If you would like to aid in the efforts monetarily, there is of course many awesome organizations. Convoy of Hope, Heart To Heart, Samaritan’s Purse and the American Red Cross are all accepting financial donations and have people on the ground to aid in the recovery. We do caution you to make sure that you only partner with reputable organizations when giving a financial donation.

Churches and Organizations
These are some great churches and organizations that have distribution centers and men/women actively serving right now. If you feel led to go to Joplin – contact these organizations to see how you can help them. Here are just a few of the ones that we have heard have need.

o Forest Park Baptist Church c/o Joplin Tornado Victims
730 S Range Line Rd • Joplin, MO 64801
(417) 623-4606

o Solace 1601 S Main
Joplin, Mo. 64804
They are working with the Salvation Army and Soul’s Harbor Mission.

o The Bridge3405 S. Hammons Blvd
Joplin, MO 64804
(417)206.6886

o Crazy Debbie’s Fireworks 3733 North Main Street
Joplin, MO 64801

o New Creation Church1831 S. Connor Ave
Joplin, MO 64801
** Lunch: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM daily for victims and work crews.
Dinner: 5:00 PM till food is gone.
Distribution Center for bottled water, diapers, household supplies, dry goods, etc.
Work crews to help clear and clean neighborhood debris. PLEASE CALL IF YOU ARE INTHE NEIGHBORHOOD AND NEED A CLEAN UP CREW.
Pastor: Cliff Mansley
Center Manager: Joseph Hobbs
Contact: 417-782-8200

o College Heights Christian Church (this is who we are partnering with for our clothing distribution)
c/o Joplin Tornado Victims
4311 Newman Rd • Joplin • MO
(417) 624-6915
They are sending out people everyday to clean up neighborhoods. You just show up and they will dispatch you. Be ready to work!

The storm came and brought with it shock, turmoil and devestation. But, now, after the storm, is when we see community, grace, mercy, love and compassion – all of which sets us apart! Here is to Joplin - living life unlimited!

Homecare Suppliers is a leader in the home medical equipment industry. The privately held company is dedicated to providing a new level of service, technology and convenience for consumers researching and purchasing daily living and mobility products online.

“Our team has consistently shown that we are dedicated to delivering the highest level of service to our customers,” said Pam Billings, Director of Operations and Services. “We not only work hand-in-hand with our customers to find them products that work for their situation, we also are dedicated to finding the most innovative and ideal products to aid in any given situation.”

Homecare Suppliers has been at the forefront of home health equipment since 2005 when they launched the mobility side of their company, which features stairlifts, wheelchair lifting devices, bathlifts and ramps. As they have seen transitions in the market, they have added different features and products to their company.
“We saw a great need for daily living products when we were assisting our customer with their stairlift and mobility needs. We heard their frustrations and began carrying a few products to help them. Overtime, we realized that we were going out of our way to find products for them that we weren’t even carrying, this birthed a desire to do more for them,” said Billings.

The Senior Living Store features products that aid those that face a multitude of challenges in their daily life as they age. With the ever-increasing rise in seniors suffering from Alzheimer, Stroke, Cancer, Arthritis, and dexterity problems, Homecare Suppliers has not only increased their product line but also their resource database. Since 2009, they have provided a resource list as well as articles on their blog to aid consumers in getting reliable information, support and product reviews.

The Web site – www.seniorlivingstore.com – features a range of Web enhancements that allow customers to easily navigate the site as well as to research and purchase senior-age daily living products. Site highlights include easy-to-use navigation, strong visual images and content, product photo galleries and site search functionality. In addition to its Web site, the company also maintains a toll-free phone number to assist customers at 888-252-2205.

About Homecare Suppliers, LLC
Homecare Suppliers is a privately held company that operates two e-commerce Web sites. The company is dedicated to providing a new level of service and technology for consumers researching and buying daily living and mobility products online. They are headquartered outside of Kansas City, Missouri and have dealers who sell and install their products throughout the continental United States. Their websites are located at www.buyastairlift.com and www.seniorlivingstore.com.

Contact:
Pam Billings, 816-525-2205
pbillings@buyastairlift.com
Source: Homecare Suppliers, LLC

Today for example, I had a person contact me about her aunt in NJ. The niece lives in Missouri. Her aunt suffered a stroke almost a year ago. She moved to New Jersey in order to be closer to her children. After completing physical therapy, she was released. She opted to rent an apartment instead of moving in with her grown child. The apartment complex had wide hallways, an elevator, and wide doorways. Unfortunately, the bathroom was not conducive to her situation. The stroke had her with limited mobility on her left side, including her left leg. She needed a scooter to move from location to location. There was no way for her to lift her legs to get into the bathtub unassisted.

The niece contacted me because of our bathlifts that we sell through our online store. After discussing options, we agreed that a product would not fix this situation. The niece then contacted her local area of aging in Missouri. They were able to connect her to the NJ Area of Aging. The niece was informed that as a result of her aunt’s situation, the state would pay for someone to come in several times a month to help with bathing. How amazing is that?! Further, if a product is required, the NJ Area of Aging will acquire it for her as well.

There are times when a product does not fix the problem. It is best to refer to many sources and sololicit opinions or advice from several entities. So often, we don’t know where to start. We go to the internet or to our local phone book. We automatically try and throw a product at the problem. After many hours and a lot of money, we realize that the product doesn’t help. Sales people are often too focused on the sale, rather than the situation and the person. It is up to you as the consumer to do your due diligence and become educated about your options.

The best place to start —-Your local Area of Aging or possibly a non-profit that supports the individual’s condition —Stroke Foundation, Cancer Society, MDA, MS Society. Each has a local branch. Start there first.

As we find out about organizations, Homecare Suppliers makes every effort to put them on our resource pages. Please do not hesitate to utilize these. And if you find something or someone that assists you and your situation – we encourage you to share your journey with us!

Here are links to our current resource pages:
Disability Resources
Daily Living Related Resources Lists
Making Your Home Safe Resources

One more step today for living life unlimited!

Life is ironic in that often much of what we do for another ends up being preparation for what is to come next in our own lives!

Suzanne Wantland is a marketing contractor and writer for us. Recent events have caused her family to look at the possibility of her mother-in-law coming to live closer to them. Her mother-in-law is home bound in another state. The family support system where she is living is overburdened with many obligations. Thus, often her mother-in-law, Mil*, struggles to get prescriptions, her errands done and has had less and less social visits from family members. This has caused a great deal of stress and worry on the rest of the family.

Suzanne has been tapping into the many resources available through Homecare Suppliers. She began by researching what was available to Mil in Oklahoma. What she found was rather disheartening. This rural part of Oklahoma does not have a plethora of resources. Mil’s situation is difficult because she is on medicare, not medicaid, and she currently has some savings. Her financial status decreases the assistance that she is eligible to receive. Further, the assistance that she could acquire on a sliding scale would greatly reduce Mil’s savings and put her in a position where she would lose her housing. The support system that is in place for Mil is significant, but they are also sandwich generation children caring for Mil and their own children. Their time and resources are extremely limited.

Thus, Suzanne began comparing resources available to Mil now and those that would be available in the Kansas City area where she and her husband reside. There is a vast difference in the amount of programs and assistance available. Kansas City is a large metropolis with many governmental agencies, social organizations and non-profit entities committed to serving the aging. Suzanne started compiling a list of resources specific to Mil’s needs and began making phone calls. She has stated that the most frustrating part is that there is not just ONE resource to call to find out everything she needs to know and not all the organizations work together. Further, every call she makes she finds out something else she didn’t know and learns that everyone has different guidelines for assistance.

As we have stated in the past, we get many calls from family members caring for their loved ones. They have often shared their struggles, burdens and questions. As a result, two years ago, we created an on-going list of resources to try and offset the question of “where do I go from here?”. Our resource lists cover both aging and disabilities.

To further aid our customers, we have decided to chronicle part of Suzanne’s family’s journey here on our Daily Living Blog. This is an opportunity to highlight someone who is trying to find answers and assist her loved one in finding liberty.

*Mil’s name has been changed to honor her privacy. MIL = Mother-In-Law!

Over the course of the last couple of months, Homecare Suppliers and its staff have spent their time in a quiet pursuit of purpose. Director of Operations, Pam Billings, explained that they used the Lenten season as a time of reflection, guidance, prayer and introspection. She says over the 40 day period they literally “stripped Homecare Suppliers back to the foundation”. They stopped pushing in all the directions available for a home medical supply company to go. Instead, they reigned back in their efforts and were still.

What they discovered when it was all stripped away was their passion. A passion that had somehow gotten burried under the day-to-day business of running a company. A passion to serve. A passion to assist those faced with the challenges of aging, mobility and disability issues.

The resonating question may be ‘what does this mean for their customers?’ The answer is that from the outside, looking in, nothing will appear to have changed. Homecare Suppliers has always been dedicated to superior customer care and service. But internally, there has been a shift back to their main purpose: meeting the needs of those they serve. “We had the foundation right, we just lost focus for a bit and got caught up in the competition’s movements as well as a little too distracted by the industry standards for pricing, products, sales and service,” shares Pam. She goes on to stress that “the services we will provide and the products we will begin to carry will reflect more customer needs and not just industry standards.”

Pam states that “Homecare Suppliers is dedicated to assisting all we serve to live life unlimited no matter the challenge before them. We no longer are saying the issues our customers face are a ‘limitation’ but instead we are stressing that those issues are a ‘challenge’ that can be overcome.”

She realized during those days of introspection that the challenges they as a company were facing were much like the challenges that their customers face when looking for assistance in the home healthcare market. Both Homecare Suppliers and customers are often faced with a plethora of products, services, costs, time constraints and even at times an overwhelming sense of just not knowing which way to go. But just as Homecare Suppliers discovered, there is a difinitive way to travel through any path of uncertainty and to find the necessary solutions to live life unlimited.

To find out more about the new products and services available through Homecare Suppliers, call 888-252-2205 or visit their website at http://www.buyastairlift.com.

Daily, I am astounded by the lack of knowledge and communication from people in the healthcare industry. Homecare Suppliers, LLC is not a standard medical supply company. Yet approximately 30% of our phone calls are for products that we do not carry. We have developed a significant resource guide for local customers to assist them in finding the right product from the right company. Regularly, we post different resources on our blog highlighting where consumers can go for different products.

Below are a few simple resources that are beneficial to keep on hand.
1. Area Agency on Aging – Each state should have an Area Agency on Aging and then it is broken down into regions. Each plans, develops and coordinates a network of services for family caregivers and older persons within their area.
2. Stroke Foundation – We have seen many families faced with the affects of a stroke. Often this results in the need for a stair lift or bath lift or other mobility assistance. It is important to not only understand the affects of a stroke but to know what kinds of resources are available to you in your area.
4. AARP – A membership organization leading positive social change and delivering value to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy and service.
5. H2U – The h2u program creates a strong local connection for its members by being part of a community hospital or health facility. Each location has a director on whom you can depend for information on organized h2u events, health screenings and educational classes, as well as access to physicians and care at your local hospital and some offer discount programs to members.
6. Alzheimer Foundation – The leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Local branches can provide support and assistance.
7. Elder Care – The Eldercare Locator is a great step for finding local agencies, in every U.S. community, that can help older persons and their families access home and community-based services like transportation, meals, home care, and caregiver support services
8. Heart Association – National organization, the America Heart Association, provides information to be heart healthy and live stronger, healthier lives.
9. VA Hospital – We direct people that are veterans to their local VA Hospital. This is especially vital when they need medical mobility products like bath lifts and stair lifts.
10. Local Medical Supply Company – We regularly get calls from all over the United States about medical supplies that we do not carry. We suggest checking local Yellow Pages or phone books under “medical supply”. Also, Yellow Pages has started listing products so check under the actual product that is needed like “stair lifts” or “oxygen”.

Our 10 Resources for Seniors found on Twitter
Their websites as well as their twitter user names are linked in blue.
1. Gilbert Guide – Gilbert Guide Senior Housing Guide & Resource for Senior Care Information.
2. Homecare Assistance – JMoskovitz – Provider of home-care, in-home living assistance, and eldercare services.
3. Caregiver Journey – Beth Parker-O’Brien – Researcher and Clinical Social Worker focusing on Alzheimer’s and related dementias as well as other older adult issues.
4. AgeWiseLiving – AgeWiseLiving Barbara Friesner
– Counseling and training for aging loved ones.
5. Aging In Place Technology – AgingTech Laurie Orlov – Aging Industry Trends Technology Watch, Research and Analysis
6. Age In Place – Aging_in_place – A place where Baby Boomers and seniors can get information on how to build their own aging in place plane. It is also a place caregivers, families and friends of aging people can come to get news and information about how to better care for their loved ones.
7. Inside Elder Care – InsideElderCare Ryan Malone – Comprehensive blog that focuses on “by families, for families” approach to elder care which teaches families how to make elder care a positive experience
8. All About Seniors – Allaboutseniors Missy Johnson – A senior resource directory for South Carolina – the publisher also has one for Charlotte, NC.
9. AFB Senior Site – AFBSite for seniors with eye conditions as well as other helpful information.
10. Baby Boomer Knowledge Center – BoomerBuzzNews – Informative Blog with information that is resourceful, wistful, impactful and engaging for the baby boomer generation.

On another note, I have been in prayerful consideration about the direction of Homecare Suppliers, LLC. Today is Ash Wednesday. It is the start of Lent. As a Christian, I am not required to do this. However, I do. Lent was established in the 4th century, and since then, participants will eat sparingly, give up a certain food, favorite activity, etc. The basis for this is the idea of repentance (complete with sackcloth, ashes, and fasting, found in places like Esther 4, Jeremiah 6, Daniel 9, and Mathew 11), for the sake of turning from sin and seeking forgiveness, and to display devotion and focus on Christ. Many people participate for a variety of reasons: tradition, personal gain, pride, for clarification, or just to do it. Homecare Suppliers, LLC is currently participating in Lent as well. The purpose is for self-discovery. Homecare Suppliers, LLC has always been a vehicle for God. I have mistakenly taken the wheel on many occasions. HCS is now at a cross road. The next 40 days will be spent in trying to figure out where to go. I am going to take a back seat. Therefore, no more posts will be made until after Easter.