According to the National Institutes of Health, there are more than 40 million people in the U.S. over the age of 65. Many of them are expected to receive in-home health care services at some point in their lives, and about 3.6 million are housebound and in constant need of home health care. Some of those individuals are not thrilled about having strangers come into their homes, however, even though the need for those health care services is apparent.

This is where a new business in Chestnut Hill steps in. Seniors Helping Seniors®, Northwest Philadelphia, which opened at 40 W. Evergreen Ave., suite 101, in July 2024, aims to alleviate patients' anxiety by matching each one with a local senior citizen caregiver who shares similar interests. The company received its state license in November.

"My mother was living in Illinois and had cancer while I was here in the Philadelphia area," explained Dr. Walter Kimble, 57, founder of the local franchise. "I commuted as much as I could, but being so far away limited what I could do. It was hard to get a caregiver because she didn't want anyone coming into her home, which isn't unusual for senior citizens. And she refused to go into a senior care facility."

"That experience showed me there was a real need for older caregivers," Kimble continued. "I was already working with seniors through my church, so I researched several franchises. Seniors Helping Seniors® really resonated with me as a church deacon. Since opening, I've hired 20 caregivers, all over 55, most between 65 and 75. Many are retired, working eight to 25 hours weekly for extra income. We also have two employees, Ron and Bernice Patton."

Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise system was founded by husband-and-wife duo Kiran and Philip Yocom. Kiran, who grew up in India, later worked in humanitarian efforts alongside Mother Teresa for 14 years. During those years she took care of leprosy patients, fed the hungry, found shelter for the homeless, cared for orphans, etc. After she moved to the U.S. in 1995 and married Philip, the Yocoms founded Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home services in 1998, opening the brand up to franchising in 2006.

Seniors Helping Seniors® has grown to 200-plus locations and more than 125 franchise partners in 30-plus states and international markets. The senior caregivers assist with cooking, laundry, light housekeeping, shopping and transportation and provide companionship.

Dr. Kimble grew up in Joliet, Illinois, outside of Chicago. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee, he earned a doctorate in chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He then came to the Philadelphia area to work at Merck Pharmaceutical Company, where he spent 35 years helping to manufacture childhood vaccines.

As a deacon at the Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, Dr. Kimble serves alongside his wife Paula, who works as a church missionary. Paula, a New Orleans native, met Dr. Kimble during his time at Georgia Tech. The couple has been married for 28 years and has three adult children. Like her husband, Paula also worked in the pharmaceutical industry.

"As a church deacon," said Dr. Kimble, "my calling is to serve and provide kindness and pastoral care. This new mission seemed like a natural extension of that calling."

One common question for people considering in-home care is whether or not it is covered by their health insurance. According to askchapter.org, Medicare does not cover adult day care services, but some programs, like Medicaid and VA benefits, may cover the service. Medicare Advantage may cover caregiver services, but benefits vary significantly between plans.

"Finding clients is challenging because it's such a crowded marketplace," Dr. Kimble said. "We match them with caregivers based on need, personality and mutual interests. It's like matchmaking. We partner with churches to spread awareness. At Christmas, we delivered 130 meals to senior citizens through a partnership between our church and Victoria's Kitchen, a West Oak Lane soul food restaurant."

Mt. Airy resident Dr. Sharan Abdul Rahman, an OB/GYN with over 40 years experience, has used the services of Seniors Helping Seniors® for her mother, who is 98 years old. "She wanted to stay in her home," Dr. Rahman told us. "However, the challenges of being able to do so were increasing. I was looking for someone who could assist her throughout her day, be considerate and be a companion to help combat the loneliness and social isolation that comes with outliving husband, siblings and friends ... We have now been using Seniors Helping Seniors® for two months, and we have been very satisfied with the selected senior caregiver, the care given and their overall responsiveness."

For more information, visit shsphilanw.com or email contact@shsphilanw.com. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com