Caring for an aging loved one can be both rewarding and overwhelming. Caretakers are known to experience a high rate of burnout.
That’s where Helping Hands Stay at Home Care comes into play.
Helping Hands provides a variety of services designed to help clients maintain their independence and dignity. The work of an in-home professional also gives caregivers a much-needed chance to recharge.
“We try to bring that rural personal connection to everyone we serve,” said Olaire Hamilton, manager of the Helping Hands branch in Casper. “Whether it’s through meal prep, companionship or transportation, we’re here to make life easier — for clients and their families.”
A record of serving seniors
From their origins in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to their expansion into Casper in 2020, Helping Hands is redefining what it means to provide personalized, nonmedical in-home care in a rural setting.
In 2016, Maggie Rodgers founded the company out of a need she identified from personal experience.
“Maggie started Helping Hands after seeing her own mom struggle without resources and finding assistance in their rural area,” Hamilton said. “That experience shaped the company’s mission to bring compassionate in-home care to underserved communities. With our expansion into Casper, we’ve tailored programs to meet the unique needs of the area.”
Making home habitable, safe
A 2021 survey by the American Association of Retired Persons found that 8 in 10 adults age 50 and older want to remain in their homes as they age. Helping Hands embraces this desire, making at-home living more comfortable and fulfilling for aging clients — a cornerstone of the company’s philosophy.
“Our caregivers become like family, building trust and relationships,” Hamilton said. “They understand each client’s unique needs and are able to work with loved ones to enable a senior to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible.”
Helping Hands’ services include meal prep, pet care, companionship, hospital-to-home transition care and transportation, and appointment assistance. Recently, the company also put a new emphasis on vision impairment services.
“I used to work in optometry, so I’ve seen firsthand how vision loss can impact daily life,” Hamilton said. “Our program ensures homes are well-lit, reducing fall risks and provides transportation for clients who can’t drive.”
Sharing the load
While older clients benefit from the companionship and assistance Helping Hands offers, caretakers are able to see an increase in their day-to-day bandwidth.
“Our respite services aim to help with the load,” Hamilton said. “We step in to do the laundry, make meals or even manage transportation to appointments. This gives family members the break they need to recharge, without worrying about their loved ones.”
Operating in rural areas comes with unique challenges, including staffing and available resources. Helping Hands addresses these obstacles by offering incentives to attract dedicated staff. By carefully selecting caregivers Maggie Rodgers would personally trust in her own home, Helping Hands ensures the highest standard of care.
“Many of our caregivers have experience in facilities, home health, and helping their own families. They like providing care that's more personal and intimate,” Hamilton said. “They thrive here because they’re not just doing a job — they’re building relationships and making a difference.”
Click here to learn more about Helping Hands Stay at Home Care.
