The first quarter of 2023 has been fruitful for Empath Personal Care, the private-duty home care affiliate of Empath Health.

In February, the Empath Personal Care team in Sarasota and Manatee counties earned accreditation through Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP). During the four-day process, CHAP recorded a miniscule error rate of .02 percent in 350 standards of accreditation. CHAP is an independent, non-profit accrediting body for home and community-based healthcare organizations. CHAP accreditation communicates to patients and families that Empath Personal Care is providing services in a way that exceeds accepted quality and compliance standards.

That success came on the heels of January’s announcement that Empath Personal Care’s Lakewood Ranch location received national awards from Home Care Pulse, a leading firm in experience management for home care. Empath Personal Care received Best of Home Care – Leader in Experience and Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice awards.

The Leader in Experience Award is the highest recognition awarded by Home Care Pulse and is given to select home care businesses that rank consistently among the highest in 10 or more quality metrics. To qualify for the Provider and Employer of Choice awards providers must interview 10% of clients and caregivers, receive high client and caregiver satisfaction ratings in areas including caregiver training, compassion of caregivers, communication, scheduling, client/caregiver satisfaction and more.

“We are honored Empath Personal Care’s exemplary care, service and leadership have been recognized showing their dedication to providing Full Life Care,” said Jonathan Fleece, President & CEO of Empath Health. “In addition, the employer of choice recognition highlights Empath Health’s work to retain and hire the highest-quality colleagues.”

Empath Personal Care grew out of the merger between Empath Health and Stratum Health System. The organization serves clients in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties.

Private-duty care like that provided by Empath Personal Care is designed to fill the gaps that exist between full-time care and the day-to-day needs of a client and family caregiver. Empath Personal Care services include:

Personal Assistance

  • Bathing, grooming and continence care
  • Range of motion movements and exercise
  • Assistance with toileting, feeding, transfers and dressing
  • Respite care or short-term breaks for caregivers

Companionship, Homemaking and Support for Everyday Living

  • Conversation and cognitive stimulation
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Meal planning and preparation
  • Telephone calls, correspondence and mail
  • Assistance with self-administered medications
  • Home safety checks
  • Tuck-in service

Referrals to Additional Services

  • Coordination of counseling and other community resources
  • Hospice referrals and support
  • Medical decision-making referrals

To learn more about Empath Personal Care, visit EmpathPersonalCare.org.