Local in-home services for seniors

VOW clients Aileen Snell and Doodle Bug.

During the winter many people find it difficult to get out of the house to do errands and socialize with friends. Those with limited mobility are unable to get out any time of the year. Fortunately, there are local companies that bring their services to people’s homes.

Amy Roth, a Heights-area dressmaker and tailor, will come to your home to pick up your mending and tailoring. With more than 40 years of couture experience, Roth can alter your clothing to make garments easier to put on and take off. “It’s called adaptive sewing,” said Roth. “I can replace buttons with snaps or Velcro.” Roth also makes comfort and convenience items for seniors, such as wedge pillows for back pain, and privacy curtains to create a sleeping area on the first floor of your house. Call Amy Roth at 216-904-1786.

Spa On Wheels For Seniors is a mobile service caring for feet and nails. Owner Wanda Ragins is a licensed manicurist and pedicurist with nine years of experience. She cleans the feet, clips and shapes the toe and finger nails and removes dry skin. Ragins specializes in conditions common to older feet and hands, such as corns, calluses, long nails, yellowed or thick nails, fungus and dry skin. “Many seniors are embarrassed to have someone else see the condition of their feet,” said Ragins, “But I tell them it’s OK, sometimes it just gets too hard to care for your own feet.” To schedule an appointment, call 330-348-1922.

Vets on Wheels (VOW), a mobile veterinary service, comes to your home to provide medical care for pets. Staff provide medications, vaccinations, disease testing, wellness screening and nail trimming. They also treat skin diseases and ear problems, and provide nutritional guidance. VOW is a program of One Health Organization, a nonprofit group dedicated to the health of people, animals and the environment. VOW offers discounts for low-income seniors. Founder Dr. Anna van Heeckeren said, “Many seniors have trouble affording health care for both themselves and their animals. Our discounts help ease this burden.” To reach Vets on Wheels for services, call 216-920-3051 or visit www.onehealth.org.

Meals On Wheels (MOW) provides for seniors who have trouble shopping and cooking for themselves. Coordinated by the Cleveland Heights Office on Aging (OOA), MOW volunteers deliver two meals per day, five days per week, to people in need. The cost is $6.25 per day.

OOA also offers a transportation service for Cleveland Heights seniors. Drivers will pick you up and take you to the doctor at a cost of $2.50 per round trip. You can also go to the Senior Activity Center (SAC) for $1 per round trip, to participate in classes and programs offered at SAC and socialize with other seniors. To reach the Cleveland Heights Office on Aging for services, or to become a MOW volunteer, call 216-691-7377.

The Loving Hands Group consists of professional artists and holistic health care practitioners who bring classes, activities and therapies to seniors at home. Loving Hands has more than 70 different programs in a wide range of subjects, such as art, architecture, interior decorating, writing, music, yoga, tai chi and massage. For information call The Loving Hands Group at 216-408-5578.


Judith Eugene

Judith Eugene is a native of Cleveland Heights who provides life-enrichment classes and activities for senior adults and those with physical and mental challenges through www.LovingHandsGroup.com. She can be reached at 216-408-5578 or Judith@LovingHandsGroup.com.

Read More on The Senior Section: a resource guide for senior adults
Volume 7, Issue 1, Posted 1:29 PM, 01.02.2014