Meet Virginia Cole, chief operations officer at Caring Friends In Home Care (caringfriendsinhomecare.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Caring Friends In Home Care is a cost-effective, non-medical, in-home care company. With Caring Friends collaborative caregiving, our goal is to develop a relationship with our clients to help keep them physically and mentally active. We believe in-home care is more than just completing tasks on a list. We offer personalized care that helps clients enjoy time and improve their quality of life. We have no minimum timeframe for visits. We will do as little as one hour, and we do not charge mileage to allow every client to access care within their budget allowing them to continue to live life on their terms in their home.
How did you get started in the business? – I have worked in senior care for over 30 years. My passion and heart is to be able to meet the clients where they are today, to help them meet their goals for staying at home which helps them to be successful and remain as independent for as long as they are able.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced professionally? – Leading employees and organizations through the daily challenges of the COVID pandemic. This has helped me have a greater understanding of why our clients are so determined to stay in their home surrounded by the things and people they love and to provide support and work with community partners when it is time to transition to another level of caring.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I have been blessed to work with many great organizations through many challenges, but I value most the professional and personal relationships that I have gained over the years which have helped me lead many organizations to be successful.
Tell us a little about your family. – My husband is an IT professional in senior care as well. I have four adult children and many grandchildren. My grandchildren are in college, working, getting married, and a couple are still in elementary and high school. I have a big family and they are my entire world.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Growing up I had two strong, committed, and intelligent women who nurtured and mentored me. They made me determined to grow to become a strong woman who would give back to others the way they had invested in me. Now my goal is to continue to pay this forward to others.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Play my piano or guitar, read, write, and spend time with my children or grandchildren. I also enjoy motorcycle riding!
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Famous Dave’s.
What is your favorite movie? – Dead Poets Society.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 207-1050; caringfriendsinhomecare.com.