Meet the Owners of Preferred Care at Home of the Cumberlands
About Preferred Care at Home
About Preferred Care at Home
Up on the Cumberland Plateau, many families came to Crossville and the lake communities to retire, and now find their grown children live states away. That distance is exactly where we step in. Ryan Siddons and David Vick opened this office because the people of the Cumberlands deserved care they could actually count on.
Our Growth
Celebrating life, dignity and independence® since 1984, Preferred Care at Home was founded by Lois Whitesell, a registered nurse, along with her daughter Jody Guerrieri and son-in-law Frank Guerrieri. What started as a small operation in central Florida has grown into a national franchise now serving families across 18 states.
Local Ownership
Preferred Care at Home of the Cumberlands is locally owned and operated. When you call or write to this office, you reach a team that lives on the Plateau and cares about this community.
Our Commitment to Cumberland Plateau Families
The people of the Cumberlands are not looking for a faceless service. They want to know who is coming, and they want to trust that person with someone they love. That is what this office is built around.
We refer only experienced and trained caregivers, including CNA and HHA professionals, who have passed our rigorous 7-step screening process. Each caregiver is matched by personality and life experience, not just availability. And if the match isn’t right, we find another.
We have also joined with a local home health agency and hospice to form a Senior Resource panel. Families on the Plateau have one place to understand every option for caring for someone they love. We accept VA benefits, TennCare CHOICES, ECF CHOICES, and private pay.
Why Choose Us?
- Singular focus: private home care
- No sales gimmicks or hidden fees
- 24/7 availability and support
- Expertly matched caregivers
- Committed to dignity and independence
- Quality services at affordable prices
Owners Committed to Your Family
Ryan Siddons
Ryan Siddons was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. After high school at Farragut, he graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Marketing. Ryan has spent many years working in customer service and understands what is needed to provide excellent service in the world of home care.
Ryan’s passion to make a difference in the lives of seniors started with his own experience with his grandparents. Ryan watched as home care companies in his community made fumbling attempts at providing care for his grandparents. Through his personal experience, Ryan saw the need to provide reliable, compassionate and affordable care to seniors like his grandparents.
From 1 hour to 24 hours of care, Ryan is dedicated to providing the very best care so you can rest assured that your loved one is getting the care they need.
David Vick
David Vick was raised in Gatlinburg, TN. After high school at Gatlinburg Pittman, he graduated with a marketing degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Throughout his career, David has been involved mainly in vacation and commercial real estate before taking advantage of an opportunity to help people through Preferred Care at Home.
It has always been a passion for David to help people by volunteering. After seeing the opportunity to make a difference in the life of seniors, he realized this was the path for him. There is no better job than waking up every morning knowing you can make a positive difference in someone’s life.
From one hour to 24 hours of care, David is dedicated to providing the very best care so you can rest assured that your loved one is getting the care they need.
Meet Our Owners
Ryan Siddons and David Vick opened this office because the people of the Cumberlands deserved care they could actually count on. From one hour of assistance to around-the-clock support, this team holds itself to a standard that means someone shows up, and keeps showing up.
Ryan Siddons
Ryan Siddons was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, attending Farragut High School before earning a marketing degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He spent many years in customer service and came to understand what it truly means to show up for people in the moments that matter most.
His path to home care began with his grandparents. Ryan watched as home care companies in his community made fumbling attempts at providing care for them, arriving inconsistently and leaving his family uncertain about who would be there from one visit to the next. That experience stayed with him.
He extended that commitment to the Cumberland Plateau because the people here deserve what he wished his family had received. From one hour of assistance to around-the-clock support, Ryan holds this office to a standard that means someone shows up, and keeps showing up.
David Vick
David Vick was raised in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, attending Gatlinburg-Pittman High School before earning a marketing degree from Middle Tennessee State University. His career took him through vacation and commercial real estate, work that sharpened his ability to truly listen and to meet people where they are.
Throughout his life, David’s deepest satisfaction has come from volunteering. Helping people, not as a transaction but as a genuine calling, has always been central to who he is. When the opportunity to join Preferred Care at Home came along, it was not a career move: it was a purpose.
David puts it simply: there is no better way to start a day than knowing the work you do will make a real difference in someone’s life. That belief is the standard he holds himself, and this entire office, to every single day.
Certifications and Credentials
Local Care Throughout the Cumberlands
Our team serves families throughout Cumberland, White, Putnam, Rhea, Jackson, and Bledsoe Counties on the Cumberland Plateau.
- Crossville
- Sparta
- Cookeville
- Fairfield Glade
- Pleasant Hill
- Baxter
- Monterey
- Spring City
- Lake Tansi
- Bloomington Springs
- Crab Orchard
- Doyle
Communities We Serve
Where in the Cumberlands do you provide care?
We serve communities throughout Cumberland, White, Putnam, Rhea, Jackson, and Bledsoe Counties, including Crossville, Sparta, Cookeville, Fairfield Glade, Pleasant Hill, Baxter, Monterey, Spring City, Lake Tansi, and more. Call us at (865) 692-4000 to confirm your area.
What kind of help can caregivers provide?
Everything from companionship and conversation to hands-on assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming. Caregivers help with meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and transportation to appointments. We build care plans around each individual's needs, from light help with errands a few hours a week to comprehensive daily support.
Is this only for elderly people, or can younger adults get help too?
While most of our clients are seniors, we also serve younger adults with disabilities and people recovering from surgery who need support living independently at home. Age is not the determining factor. Need is what matters.
Can care happen in an assisted living community, or just a private home?
We provide care wherever someone lives. Many the Cumberlands families bring us into assisted living communities to provide extra personal attention beyond what the facility offers. We go where you need us, whether that is a private home, retirement community, or assisted living residence.
My parent was just discharged from a local hospital. Can you help with recovery?
Hospital-to-home transitions are among our most important services here in Crossville. Coming home after a stay at Sentara Crossville General Hospital, Sentara Leigh Hospital, Sentara Norfolk General, or any area facility can be completely overwhelming. Medications, follow-up appointments, rehabilitation exercises, diet changes. Our transition care program guides recovery and helps prevent the kind of readmission that sends so many elderly people back through those hospital doors. We make that transition smoother, step by step. Learn more about our Smooth-Transition Care program.
What should I budget for home care in the Cumberlands?
Costs depend on how many hours of care you need and what type of care makes sense. We start with clear, affordable rates and no long-term commitments. We will walk you through pricing so you can plan without surprises. Here is helpful information about paying for home care.
Does Medicare cover any of this?
Medicare typically does not cover non-medical home care like companionship, homemaker services, or personal care assistance. It may cover skilled nursing if a physician orders it after a qualifying hospital stay. We will help you understand what Medicare does and does not pay for so you can explore your options clearly.
We have long-term care insurance. Can you help with that?
Yes, and this is one of the things we do especially well. We are Long Term Care insurance experts. We can help you understand your policy, work with you to eliminate the elimination period on most plans, and assist with filing claims on your family's behalf. Navigating an insurance policy in the middle of a care crisis is stressful. We take that burden off your plate. Contact us at (757) 355-5080 and we will walk through the process with you.
What about veteran benefits?
We are contracted directly with the VA and serve veterans throughout the Cumberlands. With one of the largest veteran populations in the country right here in our community, this is something we take seriously. VA benefits can cover a meaningful portion of home care costs, and Aid and Attendance benefits offer additional financial support for qualifying veterans and their surviving spouses. Learn about Aid and Attendance benefits here. We know this process well, and we will help your family navigate it.
Are there free programs or services we should know about?
Yes. The Crossville Department of Human Services and the the Cumberlands Area Agency on Aging connect families with local resources, including meal delivery programs, transportation assistance, and senior center programming. Explore free services for seniors to discover what may be available in your community. These programs can work alongside the care we provide.
How do I know caregivers are trustworthy?
We only refer caregivers with experience. Every caregiver goes through our rigorous 7-step screening process that includes background checks, reference verification, skills assessment, and personality evaluation. We do not place anyone in your loved one's home that we would not trust in our own. Our commitment to quality starts before the first day of care.
Will my parent have the same caregiver, or will it be someone different each time?
The same caregiver. We match based on personality and care needs, then maintain that relationship. Consistency builds trust and genuine connection. Your loved one will not face a rotating door of strangers. If your regular caregiver needs a day off, we arrange qualified backup, but constant turnover is simply not how we work.
What if the personality match does not work?
Tell us immediately. We will find someone different. Personal chemistry matters enormously, especially when someone is helping with intimate daily tasks. We want your loved one comfortable, respected, and happy with their caregiver.
Are caregivers available 24/7, or only during business hours?
We provide access to non-medical senior home care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no minimum hours requirement. We work around your schedule, not the other way around.
Can you work with someone who has Alzheimer's or dementia?
Yes. Alzheimer's and Dementia care is a specialty for us. Our caregivers are trained to communicate with compassion when memory fails, to create calm and familiar environments, and to maintain dignity as abilities change. the Cumberlands families facing a dementia diagnosis trust us with their most vulnerable loved ones, and we treat that trust with the utmost care. Learn more about our dementia and Alzheimer's care.
What about end-of-life care at home?
We provide compassionate support during life's final chapter, working alongside hospice providers to help clients remain comfortable and cared for at home. We help with personal care, offer companionship, and give exhausted family members the respite they need. These are precious moments. We treat them with deep respect. Learn more about our end-of-life care services.
Do you offer specialized care for veterans?
We are contracted directly with the VA and are able to staff veteran care cases quickly when families need help most. We understand the unique needs of veterans and their spouses, and we take tremendous pride in serving this community. If your family member is a veteran seeking home care, call us at (757) 355-5080 and we will help you understand your options right away.
How do I begin the process?
Contact us by phone at (757) 355-5080 or by email at deckh@preferhome.com. We will talk through your situation and schedule a complimentary in-home consultation at your convenience. There is no obligation. We will assess needs, answer questions, and explain clearly how we work. Think of it as getting acquainted before making any decisions.
What happens at that first meeting?
We sit down together and talk through daily routines, current challenges, and goals for care. We explain our services and pricing clearly and answer every question you have. The conversation usually takes about an hour and is relaxed and informative. We are not there to pressure you. We are there to help you think through what is best.
How quickly can care begin once we decide to move forward?
Usually within days. When families reach out, they often need help soon. We understand urgency and move as quickly as possible to get the right caregiver matched and in place.
Is there a contract or long-term commitment required?
No long-term commitments. We believe you should stay with us because the care is exceptional, not because paperwork locks you in. Needs change, and we stay flexible every step of the way.
What if care needs increase or decrease over time?
We adjust the plan. Maybe you start with a few hours of weekly companionship and later need daily personal care. Maybe intensive transition support is needed right after a hospital discharge and then scales back as recovery progresses. We adapt as situations evolve. Take this quiz if you are unsure what level of care makes sense right now.
My father refuses help and insists he is fine. How do I handle this?
Pride runs deep, and the fear of losing independence is powerful. Sometimes starting gently helps, introducing a caregiver through homemaker help or errands before moving to personal care. Once trust builds, acceptance often follows. Our caregivers know how to earn that trust without undermining dignity. These fall prevention strategies may also help you start a conversation about safety without making it feel like an argument about independence.
I live out of state but my parents are in the Cumberlands. How will I stay informed?
Many adult children live in other cities or states while parents remain here in the Cumberlands. We use an online portal called the Family Room where you can access caregiver schedules, visit confirmations, daily notes, and updates from anywhere in the world. Complete transparency is part of our commitment to keeping families connected and at peace. Learn about our Transparency of Care technology.
How does the southeast Tennessee climate affect home care?
We plan ahead for it. the Cumberlands presents unique seasonal challenges for elderly people. Summers bring intense heat and high humidity that raise the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion, particularly for seniors who may not feel thirsty or who struggle to manage their home's air conditioning. Tropical weather systems and hurricane threats require careful planning, especially for elderly people who may need evacuation help or who have medical equipment and medications that must be managed during emergencies. Winter cold snaps, while milder than in other parts of Virginia, still bring frost and ice that make getting to appointments and moving safely around the home difficult. Our caregivers help families prepare for seasonal changes, including maintaining proper hydration, ensuring heating and cooling systems are working, stocking emergency supplies, and managing appointment adjustments during severe weather. Learn more about disaster preparation for seniors.
What makes Preferred Care at Home of the Cumberlands different?
We are a third-generation home care company with a proud history going back to 1984, founded by a registered nurse who believed that older people simply wanted to stay home rather than move into nursing facilities. Here in Crossville, owner Deck Hankins brings a deeply personal mission to that work. When his father, a World War II veteran and prisoner of war survivor, came home from the hospital in 2001, Deck's family was left without answers or support. That experience shaped everything about how he runs this office. He is here to answer the questions that no one answered for his own family.
We are also a veteran community, and we serve it that way. We are contracted directly with the VA, we are Long Term Care insurance experts, and we only refer caregivers with real, verified experience. We treat every client as if they were our own family, because that is exactly how this company was built.
What does "celebrating life, dignity and independence" mean?
It means we believe home is everything to a senior. It is a window to their past, a safe haven for the present, and a legacy for the future. Our mission since 1984 has been to give elderly people the option to remain in their homes with dignity and independence intact. That is what drives us every day here in Crossville and across the Cumberlands.
PCAH of the Cumberlands