Local In-Home Care Business Becomes PASSPORT Certified

FirstLight HomeCare of Westlake, a local non-medical in-home care business that services Westlake residents, has recently become PASSPORT certified to better serve the community. FirstLight provides services to seniors, new moms, those recovering from surgery and to anyone else who just needs a little extra assistance around the house. Services include things such as bathing, grooming, meal prep, medication reminders, travel companionship, respite care for caregivers and more.

FirstLight in Westlake was originally only private pay, but after recognizing the substantial need for non-medical in-home care services in the local community, the business quickly chose to become PASSPORT certified. Ohio’s PASSPORT Medicaid waiver program helps to provide Medicaid-eligible residents with the service and support needed for them to stay in their homes. This certification allows FirstLight to care for Medicaid-eligible seniors who have qualified for in-home services.  

“Non-medical in-home care provides huge benefits to not just seniors but to others as well,” says Lisa Paradise, owner of FirstLight HomeCare of Westlake. “Because of this, we knew it was important for us to ensure our services are easily accessible by everyone; and this PASSPORT certification allows us the opportunity to do that.”

Owners Bob and Lisa Paradise opened FirstLight about two years ago after both struggled to find quality in-home caregivers for their own aging loved ones.

 “Our own struggle is what motivates us to continuously improve and expand the accessibility of our services,” says Paradise. “We know so many families rely on us, and from our own experiences, we know how important it is for services like ours to be affordable.”

In addition to caretaking services, FirstLight also implements a unique Dementia Care Program and Readmission Rescue Program. FirstLight’s Readmission Rescue Program works closely with local hospitals to ensure a continuity of care between the hospital and home. This particular program is critical as hospitals work to ensure lower readmission rates due to a new provision in the Affordable Care Act that now penalizes hospitals for readmissions.

FirstLight services Lorain and Cuyahoga County residents. For more information on FirstLight HomeCare of Westlake, visit www.westlake.firstlighthomecare.com or call 440.973.9513.