SouthTampa Senior Home Care

When given the choice, I Prefer Home.®

Stay in the home you love with the help of Preferred Care at Home.

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Our services improve quality of life.

Companion Care

Transparency of Care

Homemaker Care

Live-in Care

Companion Care

Too often, with age comes loneliness. The feeling that no one cares creeps in. Aging has a way of reminding you of family members and friends who have passed on. You can feel like you’re alone.

It’s our mission at Preferred Care at Home to alleviate that loneliness and bring joy and companionship. Our caregivers can also travel with clients, providing transportation to the theater, doctor, church or coffee shop.

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Companion Care

Helping you enjoy life to the fullest

Too often, with age comes loneliness. The feeling that no one cares creeps in. Aging has a way of reminding you of family members and friends who have passed on. You can feel like you’re alone.

Senior women having coffee break

 

It’s our mission at Preferred Care at Home to alleviate that loneliness and bring joy and companionship. Our caregivers can also travel with clients, providing transportation to the theater, doctor, church or coffee shop.

Companion care is available from 1 hour to 24 hours. It’s an excellent choice for seniors who live alone or don’t have a lot of family and friends nearby. It also works well for short-term respite care. The primary caregiver gets a much-needed break, and the senior loved one has fun interacting with another caring person. And of course, companion care is included in our signature live-in care service.

Preferred Care at Home’s extensive senior companion care services include meal monitoring, transportation planning visits and trips, help with minor tasks, and of course, companionship. Here is the full list of services included:

Personal Interaction:

  • Engaging in companionship and conversation
  • Reminiscing about the past
  • Discussing current and historical events
  • Playing games and cards
  • Renting and playing movies
  • Maintaining a family scrapbook
  • Encouraging participation with crafts
  • Helping read
  • Directing morning wake-up and evening tuck-in
  • Helping select clothes
  • Mailing letters and bills
  • Monitoring eating patterns and diet
  • Inspecting food expiration dates
  • Maintaining a calendar
  • Arranging appointments and providing reminders

Social Interaction:

  • Planning visits, outings and trips
  • Visiting neighbors and friends
  • Encouraging interaction with loved ones
  • Encouraging participation in and assisting with community activities
  • Monitoring visitors
  • Providing incidental transportation to:
      – Doctor appointments
      – The pharmacy
      – Social outings
      – Lunch or dinner
      – Plays and concerts
      – Movies
      – Religious services
      – Sporting events
      – Club meetings

Transparency of Care

Preferred Care at Home’s transparency room lets families keep track of the care provided to their loved ones, regardless of time or distance, thereby giving families meaningful peace of mind and allowing their loved ones to stay at home.

Not only is the transparency room a personal, secure channel for collaboration between family and caregiver, it is a means to organize and efficiently coordinate care needs. Specifically, within the transparency room, families have access to a shared master calendar, and they can track scheduled caregivers visits, activities, as well as view invoices as they become due.

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Transparency of Care

Preferred Care at Home’s transparency room lets families keep track of the care provided to their loved ones, regardless of time or distance, thereby giving families meaningful peace of mind and allowing their loved ones to stay at home.

Not only is the transparency room a personal, secure channel for collaboration between family and caregiver, it is a means to organize and efficiently coordinate care needs. Specifically, within the transparency room, families have access to a shared master calendar, and they can track scheduled caregivers visits, activities, as well as view invoices as they become due.

This transparency hub also grants families the ability to stay current with tasks completed and not completed by their caregiver. If the requested task was not completed as scheduled, they may listen to a voice recording from their caregiver detailing an explanation of the change in their daily routine.

And it’s easy to access. With a few swipes on their smartphone or a couple clicks with their mouse, families can check the quality of care and the general status of their parents or uncles, aunts — even in-laws.

Most importantly, these tools can help keep an aging loved one at home, where they are happy and comfortable, instead of being sent to a nursing home or a similar kind of care facility.

Homemaker Care

As we age, a big part of happiness depends on being comfortable and cared for at home. Home is where memories have been made, and are still being created.

When caring for the home becomes a burden the unwelcome thought of moving strikes.

Should you live in a home you’re unhappy with—one that’s getting cluttered and dusty because you can’t do the chores like you used to? Should you learn to cope with eating less because it’s difficult to shop and cook? Should you give up your pet because you can’t care for it? Should you put up with wrinkled or dirty clothes?

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Homemaker Care

Helping you find joy in your house again

As we age, a big part of happiness depends on being comfortable and cared for at home. Home is where memories have been made, and are still being created.

When caring for the home becomes a burden the unwelcome thought of moving strikes.

Should you live in a home you’re unhappy with—one that’s getting cluttered and dusty because you can’t do the chores like you used to? Should you learn to cope with eating less because it’s difficult to shop and cook? Should you give up your pet because you can’t care for it? Should you put up with wrinkled or dirty clothes?

Should you move away from home?

There is another option: Preferred Care at Home’s homemaker care. We make your house into that special place again. We do the chores and provide those tender loving touches that make you comfortable. Ultimately, our homemaker care can help you or a loved one remain where you want to be—home.

Other people who enjoy our homemaker care services include:

  • Family caregivers
    Let us take care of the mundane day-to-day tasks so you have more energy to focus on what’s important.
  • Elderly parents resistant to other care
    If your parent would benefit from personal or companion care but is reluctant to accept it, why not introduce the concept gently through homemaker care?

Homemaker care is also included in our signature live-in care service.

Our homemaker care includes the following services.

General Homemaker Care:

  • Recording and arranging recipes
  • Preparing grocery lists
  • Clipping coupons for shopping
  • Shopping for and/or escorting to get groceries and supplies
  • Preparing, serving and cleaning up after meals
  • Preparing meals for future use

Light Housekeeping:

  • Organizing and cleaning closets
  • Dusting furniture
  • Sweeping and vacuuming floors
  • Taking out garbage
  • Watering house plants
  • Assisting with pet care

Laundering:

  • Washing, folding and ironing clothes
  • Changing linens and making beds
  • Dropping off and picking up dry cleaning

Live-in Care

Peace of mind. It’s so often an elusive dream for people with elderly parents—and for elderly people themselves. That’s why Preferred Care at Home has always been known best for our 24 hour home care, also known as live-in care.

Our 24 hour home care services provide around-the-clock supervision and companionship in the security and privacy of your own home. Your caregivers, matched to you by personality along with life and work experience, are present day and night to provide professional, reliable and compassionate care.

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Live-in Care

Affordable, 24 hour peace of mind

Peace of mind. It’s so often an elusive dream for people with elderly parents—and for elderly people themselves. That’s why Preferred Care at Home has always been known best for our 24 hour home care, also known as live-in care.

White chair on veranda

Our 24 hour home care services provide around-the-clock supervision and companionship in the security and privacy of your own home. Your caregivers, matched to you by personality along with life and work experience, are present day and night to provide professional, reliable and compassionate care.

In addition to quality care, we also guarantee continuity. You don’t have to worry about frequent changes in caregivers—having to get acquainted time and again. Central to our live-in care option is this commitment to consistency. And at Preferred Care at Home, where we strive to make our services accessible to everyone, live-in care is more affordable than you probably imagine.

Who Is Live-in Care Best For?

You may think of live-in care as being primarily for people who are bedridden. While it is an excellent solution for them, it’s also helpful for other people who want consistent aid. For example, our 24 hour home care is great for seniors who have:

  • Unsteadiness or a fear of falling.

    Worrying about falling can lead to inactivity, which makes your muscles atrophy, which increases your risk for a fall! With live-in care, you always have someone there just in case, so you can feel confident to be as active as you can.

  • Loneliness or a fear of being alone.

    No one should experience that empty feeling of loneliness. The compassionate heart of a Preferred Care at Home caregiver is an ever-present comfort.

  • Trouble remembering medication.

    “Did you take your medicine today?” If that question’s been asked too many times, you should know that live-in care can eliminate that anxiety. Our quality caregivers will remind you when to take your medicine so dosages aren’t forgotten or repeated.

  • Memory loss, or signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

    Memory deficiencies may creep in as we age. People with Alzheimer’s do best in a familiar environment. Most need extended hours of care in order to remain healthy and safe at home.

Live-in care services are also good for seniors who:

Want to avoid a revolving door of caregivers. Change can be stressful. Continuity is at the heart of our live-in care. As long as you’re happy and well taken care of, you’ll have the same caregiver by your side every step of the way.

Want to remain independent and in control of their care.With Preferred Care at Home’s live-in care, you’re the boss. You decide when and how you want things done.

Is Live-in Care Really Right for Me?

Still wondering whether live-in care is the choice for you? Here are answers to some common questions.

1. Can I afford 24 hour home care? Long-term care can certainly be costly. However, since 1984 the founders of Preferred Care at Home have built a reputation for offering quality services at affordable prices. Contact us to see which package works best for you.

2. What if I move or I already live in an assisted living community? If home is where you want to live, we can make that a reality. If you prefer to move into a facility, we can also provide any extra assistance you need. In essence, we come alongside you so home, or wherever you call home, is that safe place.

3. Will I like my caregivers? We match each caregiver to fit with your personality. We even look into life and work experience to make sure you two will get along swimmingly. A key aspect of our live-in care is quality interaction. After all, you have much to share with others. But of course, if you’re ever unhappy, we will promptly find a new person who fits your needs better.

If live-in care sounds like a good fit for you, contact us, and we’ll personally review all the details about how it works. We’ll even conduct a complimentary, no-obligation home assessment.

Companion Care

Companion Care

Too often, with age comes loneliness. The feeling that no one cares creeps in. Aging has a way of reminding you of family members and friends who have passed on. You can feel like you’re alone.

It’s our mission at Preferred Care at Home to alleviate that loneliness and bring joy and companionship. Our caregivers can also travel with clients, providing transportation to the theater, doctor, church or coffee shop.

Learn More

Transparency of Care

Transparency of Care

Preferred Care at Home’s transparency room lets families keep track of the care provided to their loved ones, regardless of time or distance, thereby giving families meaningful peace of mind and allowing their loved ones to stay at home.

Not only is the transparency room a personal, secure channel for collaboration between family and caregiver, it is a means to organize and efficiently coordinate care needs. Specifically, within the transparency room, families have access to a shared master calendar, and they can track scheduled caregivers visits, activities, as well as view invoices as they become due.

Learn More

Homemaker Care

Homemaker Care

As we age, a big part of happiness depends on being comfortable and cared for at home. Home is where memories have been made, and are still being created.

When caring for the home becomes a burden the unwelcome thought of moving strikes.

Should you live in a home you’re unhappy with—one that’s getting cluttered and dusty because you can’t do the chores like you used to? Should you learn to cope with eating less because it’s difficult to shop and cook? Should you give up your pet because you can’t care for it? Should you put up with wrinkled or dirty clothes?

Learn More

Live-in Care

Live-in Care

Peace of mind. It’s so often an elusive dream for people with elderly parents—and for elderly people themselves. That’s why Preferred Care at Home has always been known best for our 24 hour home care, also known as live-in care.

Our 24 hour home care services provide around-the-clock supervision and companionship in the security and privacy of your own home. Your caregivers, matched to you by personality along with life and work experience, are present day and night to provide professional, reliable and compassionate care.

Learn More

Communities We Serve

Proudly serving the following areas: Tampa, South Tampa, Riverview and surrounding areas.

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Senior Home Care Services in South Tampa

Celebrating life, dignity and independence.®

Preferred Care at Home believes that home is everything to a senior. It’s a window to their past, a safehaven for the present, and a legacy for the future. We have been committed to providing seniors with the option to remain in their homes with dignity and independence since 1984.

We promise to serve you or your loved one as if we were caring for our very own family. We are a third-generation home care company with a proud history of being there for our clients, and will continue that legacy with you every step of the way.

License HMC#239829

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"We are humbled to serve our community and their loved ones."

Jared and Melissa Gotcher

Owner, PCAH of South Tampa

Meet the Team

Meet the Team

Jared and Melissa Gotcher

Jared and Melissa share a profound commitment to home care, shaped by personal experiences with health crises and the caregiving journeys of their loved ones. Through their work at Preferred Care at Home of South Tampa, they aim to safeguard the dignity and independence of seniors, offering compassionate, one-on-one care that maintains their clients’ quality of life in the comfort of their own homes. “In every challenge faced and care provided, we’re reminded that at the heart of home care is the dignity and independence of every individual we serve.”

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Jared Gotcher Headshot

Jared Gotcher

Jared Gotcher Headshot

I worked as a CNA during my college years in a psychiatric facility and later in a medical/surgical unit. I witnessed firsthand the difficulties seniors face as they begin to lose cognitive and/or bodily health; I witnessed especially how these difficulties tend to be amplified when seniors are removed from their homes, where they still feel safe and in control. Unfortunately, I also witnessed how devastating it can be for a senior to be without the support they need.

I eventually stopped working as a caregiver because of my own health crisis; I have Addison’s Disease, but was undiagnosed for many years. At 22 years old, I experienced the embarrassment of losing independence, being sometimes too weak even to hold a pencil and write. I experienced the fear of feeling like I was on death’s doorstep, supposing each time I laid down that I might not wake up again. God answered our prayers for relief. I was diagnosed in 2018, and my illness is well managed with the right medication, but I will never forget what it was like to be in that place, the very place many of our seniors find themselves.

For many years, I watched my mother care for her father as dementia took him. He lived in another state, and she did her best to communicate and coordinate care for him from local friends. After nearly a decade, his condition became too much for those friends to handle, and she had to make the difficult decision to put him in a facility. He died just a few months later, in December of 2021. Shortly after I returned from his funeral, I was introduced to Preferred Care at Home; I knew very quickly that this is exactly what I was supposed to be doing.

My family and I are proud to be serving the families of South Tampa, to be the support and provide the care they need to safeguard the dignity and independence of their loved ones in whatever place they call home.

Melissa Gotcher

I began in senior care when I was eight years old, helping my mother care for my grandmother after dementia had brought her to live with us. We took care of her in our home for the better part of 10 years. Through those years, I felt the privilege of protecting my grandmother’s dignity and felt called to pursue a career in caring. So, I became a nurse and worked in the ICU, wanting to make a difference where tragedy had struck hardest, for my patients and for their families.

I soon realized that I wanted to do more for patients than I could do at the bedside. I went back to school to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and fell in love with primary and preventative care. I wanted to go “upstream” to catch patients before they were in crisis and needed acute care services, which is when quality of life is either completely lost or greatly threatened. However, in that setting also, I found myself still frustrated by the lack of time, dedicated attention, and human touch that is so needed in healthcare. I’ve seen seniors especially confused and overwhelmed by the healthcare system, and unfortunately, many care providers either can’t or won’t take the time to make sure seniors have what they need to remain safe at home.

That’s why I’m thrilled now to be the co-owner of Preferred Care at Home of South Tampa. We send reliable and compassionate caregivers to provide the one-on-one care needed to improve our clients’ quality of life and keep them safe at home for as long as possible.