in Wantagh was founded in the late 90’s by Ann Sanders with an aim at providing companionship and non-medical care for the elderly with daytime and live-in companions.
Just over a decade, the company on 3375 Park Ave., Wantagh is considered one of the leading providers of companion care for the elderly in the Long Island region.
Sanders was inspired to set up Elder Care Companions after seeing how well her ill mother was cared for by two aides around 20 years ago. Sanders said the two aides she hired took such good care of her mother that a trust was developed and there was a peace of mind knowing she was in safe hands.
Sanders became so appreciative of the care her mother was given that she began to consider a career change. Within a few years she started up her current company that is still thriving today despite competition from other similar services.
Some of the services that the companions at Elder provide are preparing meals, housekeeping, bathroom assistance, shopping, reading to the client, playing games with the client and more. The companions that Sanders sends out are not randomly selected as she makes sure that each one matches with the elder they are assigned to.
“I couldn’t do it any other way,” said Sanders. “I have to be assured I’m bringing in the right person.”
Once a companion has been selected he or she stays with the elder because Sanders believes that consistency is important to forming a positive relationship with the client.
Before the companion starts their services, Sanders make sure there is a meeting between with the elder to be certain that the client is comfortable. Sanders performs rigorous background checks on every companion she hires. “I have to know that anyone I bring in I would bring in for my own family member,” she said.
Sanders believes that her past experiences and passion she brings to her work are what allows her business to thrive. “[Elder care companies are] a dime a dozen right now and I’ve been so successful because I’ve been on both sides of the story," she said. "I love what I do.”
