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Home Care by Black Stone lifts clients’ holiday spirits

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By Chelsey Levingston, Contributing Writer 12:56 PM Wednesday, December 23, 2009

DAYTON — Mary Hodge feels blessed. Her two grown children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren are coming over to cook Christmas dinner. She is far along after her stroke more than five years ago. And her nurse and aide from Home Care by Black Stone are “a doll” and “get the work done.”

But Hodge, of Osceola Drive in Dayton, is low on Christmas spirit. Even though she can fix her own meals and do her own washing, she can’t get out to church or drive. The stroke on the left side of her body has affected her foot.

Black Stone might lift her spirits. Mary and 10 other families served by Home Care by Black Stone, a Moraine-based healthcare company, are receiving hams, wish list gifts and other food through an employee-based effort to provide for their neediest patients the week of Christmas.

“I can’t do a thing but sit here and talk on the phone anyway. Black Stone has been a blessing,” said Hodge.

Home healthcare division employees have come together overwhelmingly since the idea was pitched in September by Vickie Flatter, director of clinical services and a registered nurse. The Southwest Ohio company provides skilled homecare, assistance with daily living activities, therapy and nursing, said David Tramontana, CEO.

Ironically, at the same time, about 70 home healthcare employees in the Dayton region collected gifts, money and food, 12 assisted care administration staff were raising money with the same idea, said Flatter and Michelle Dunigan, private duty administrator.

Field staff in both divisions helped pick the neediest families and got wish lists with patients’ permission. Home healthcare chose eight families in Montgomery and Clark counties, many with similar situations to Hodge, said Flatter. Those receiving gifts include people living alone, those who suffered a great loss or are bed bound, she said.

Most customers are elderly on Medicare and Medicaid, Tramontana said.

Assisted care is helping three families, one each from Montgomery, Clark and Greene counties, even though all the company’s 25,000 plus patients could use help, Dunigan said.

“I think there’s a huge need and it’s only going to get bigger,” Flatter said.

Flatter expects this to be an annual event and helped organize creative fundraisers this year. At the last staff meeting, employees were charged two cans of food for fun. Employees also paid $2 to wear jeans, said Tramontana and Dunigan.

In all, home healthcare raised cash, food and other gifts valued at almost $1,000 and assisted care raised $300, they said.

“It’s good to give. People need help and those that are able to should,” Dunigan said.

Hodge said she appreciates the help. She requested a winter coat.

“I feel good. Anybody that helps me, I feel good. It’s a blessing from the Lord,” Hodge said.

Robert Wright of Owendale Drive in Moraine is another gift recipient who appreciates the help. Wright said he has used Black Stone since his wife died in 1998.

The World War II Army Air Force veteran lives alone and had easy preparation food on his wish list. He can’t see to read, but can see the television enough to watch his favorite sports programs.

“I appreciate anything I get for Christmas,” Wright said, 84. About Black Stone, he added, “I like the services, they’re fine and they come all the time.”

Home Care by Black Stone has nine offices and more than 700 employees. Tramontana founded the company in 1996 with Phil Black and Steve Stone.

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