Honoring every moment

With the holidays behind us, we’re settling into the rest of winter in Northeast Ohio. For many people, especially the elderly, that can mean a period of isolation when connections with family and friends fall away. Leaving the house becomes difficult if not impossible, and the struggles that come with aging in place are more apparent. 

Over the holidays you may have noticed the decline in a loved one, and having the conversation about what comes next is becoming difficult to ignore. With Valentine’s Day upon us, what better gift for an aging loved one than the gift of caring.

As home care and hospice providers in this community for more than 11 years, the staff at Gardens of Western Reserve Home Care & Hospice has had the privilege of serving hundreds of local families during their most vulnerable times. They understand that tending to the emotional and spiritual needs leads to better overall health and wellness as we age. By supporting daily routines, fostering social connections, and providing compassionate end-of-life care, they help create a healthier, more connected community for everyone. 

“Owner Rich Piekarski and I have combined experience of more than 70 years in home health and hospice care, and much of that time has been spent working together,” co-owner and administrator Hanna Schindley says. “We discovered that filling people’s basic daily needs was not enough. Truly caring for people and their families means meeting them where they are in their journey and fulfilling their desires, which almost always means remaining in their homes and familiar communities for care including hospice services. That was our focus when creating Gardens of Western Reserve and it continues to be today.”

Gardens of Western Reserve offers as little as one hour up to 24/7 care in the home. No matter where your needs fall, the process begins with listening. 

“Every individual and every family is unique, and we tailor our care to your specific needs,” owner Rich Piekarski says. “We ask a lot of questions and do a lot of listening. It’s very important to us that we earn your trust.”

For home and hospice care, building that trust begins with a focus on more than the physical needs of a person. The spiritual, social and emotional care and connections are also critical components provided by our hospice team. 

“Our staff includes a team of medical professionals, volunteers, a staff chaplain, and a social and bereavement services specialist,” Hanna says. “In hospice care particularly, these services are critical to the overall care we provide. We want families to know we are here for them, no matter what they need, whenever they need it.” 

When a client or family member calls Gardens of Western Reserve, they will always speak with a familiar team member.

“You have either met them or spoken with them,” Hanna says. “We are all part of the circle of care surrounding your loved one. We give our personal cell phones so families can reach us whenever necessary. We take our roles very seriously and feel privileged to be with you during this stage of your journey.”

Rich’s son, Richie Piekarsk, joined the business five years ago after growing up watching his father and Hanna care for so many families over the years. Their dedication became a part of his life.

“Watching them over the years and what they were providing for families made me want to do the same thing,” Richie says. “Our approach is extremely personalized and our attention to every detail is unmatched. For us, it’s the only way to provide these services and we are honored to care for you and your family.”

Gardens of Western Reserve staff members hold Q&A sessions at various senior centers to educate the community about healthy aging and hospice services. 

Providing care and support for aging community members and families needing hospice care. These are the goals of the team at Gardens of Western Reserve Home Care & Hospice. 

For questions and details on local informational events, contact Gardens of Western Reserve Home Care & Hospice.

Gardens of Western Reserve Home Care & Hospice

216-916-1110

GardensOfWesternReserveHospice.com 

Hanna@GardensOfWesternReserveHospice.com

Is it Time for Home Care or Hospice?

Have you noticed changes or a decline in a loved one over the holidays? Here’s a checklist of what to look for in a person when evaluating readiness for in-home care or hospice care: 

Physical Well-Being

• Struggles with mobility (walking, balance, frequent falls)
• Noticeable weight loss, difficulty preparing meals
• Poor hygiene (unwashed hair, body odor, soiled clothing)
• Unexplained bruises, cuts, injuries
• Chronic fatigue, weakness

Cognitive and Emotional Changes

• Forgetting to take medications
• Frequent confusion, trouble following conversations
• Mood swings, depression, increased agitation
• Repeating themselves often, struggling to find words
• Disoriented in familiar places, getting lost, forgetting names

Household and Daily Living Struggles

• Cluttered, unclean home
• Unpaid or stacked bills, unopened mail
• Expired, unused medications
• Unsafe living conditions (tripping hazards, burnt food, broken appliances)
• Difficulty managing household tasks (grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning)

Social and Behavioral Changes

• Withdrawing from social activities, hobbies, community events
• Suspicious behavior, paranoia
• Not answering phone calls or  responding to messages
• Sudden changes in spending habits, unusual financial decisions

Results and Next Steps

• 0-3 checks: Likely managing well, continue monitoring
• 4-7 checks: Consider part-time home care
• 8-plus checks: Home care is strongly recommended for safety, well-being and quality of life

Hospice Care Readiness

• Declining physical health
• Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits
• Rapid or significant weight loss
• Increased weakness or fatigue
• Recurrent infections (pneumonia, UTIs, sepsis)
• Difficulty swallowing, refusal to eat