Covid has created problems for all of us, at so many levels, but how about this?
Amber Cusano has a full-scale in-home healthcare company that provides caregiving, nutrition, specialty healthcare needs like physical therapy, and hospice care. The business needs regular licensing – but the state licensing authority has halted all in-person audits for licensing because of Covid. How can a business survive in that environment?
Cusano hasn’t just been sitting around waiting for the pandemic to be over. Instead, she has spun off a branch of her business, called it the Gilpin Cleaning Company, and moved into that much-needed field in our Peak to Peak community. And when Cusano does something, she does it completely.
She points out that “We (Gilpin Cleaning Co.) are state licensed, carry liability insurance for all of our contract cleaners, which protects the owner’s property inside while our team is cleaning, and bonded to protect our clients and their belongings. The company only hires locals in order to offer consistent year-round reliable work, and we offer the highest rate of pay in our area even when compared to the big ski resorts. The company gives regular bonuses and treats our contractors like family by assisting with financial insecurities and great birthday/holiday gifts.”
Cusano hopes to reinstate the healthcare part of her business soon, and has big plans. “I come from a medical background,” she says, “with a desire to assist our elderly community, especially those isolated in our rural areas up here. The company is growing exponentially and will eventually offer various medical, non-medical, holistic, and other varying services such as cleaning, errand running, food delivery services and more.
“We are working hard in the next year to obtain Medicaid /Medicare certification, which is very difficult for a small business to do, but we will give it all we have – fingers crossed – to eventually be able to offer insured care for our wonderful elderly community!”
Meanwhile, the cleaning service, even with the problems created by the pandemic, has been growing very nicely. “We have tripled our business every six months or so and are still growing….[However], Covid has impacted our entire team individually with each of their families as well as offered additional work since disinfecting and cleaning is an integral part of the Covid process with regard to keeping it at bay or cleaning after an illness.
“So we have seen both sides of the fence since the pandemic started. We are grateful to be healthy today & still able to offer services to the community to keep them and their families safe and healthy!”
Cusano goes on to explain, “Staffing has been very difficult in the last year with a high turnover rate. The pandemic has really affected our community’s mental health and overall health and wellbeing as well as the ability to work on a consistent basis. This in turn affects the business’ ability to take on new clientele and be reliable to our loyal clients. Fortunately, we have a great, reliable, healthy team now and are back to full service for the community taking on new clients weekly!”
The cleaning company is now accepting Spring clients, and is now offering Co-host services for Airbnb owners. She has also recently partnered with a reliable plow service.
Cusano loves the cleaning branch of her business – she says what’s best about it is “helping people find a little bit of peace. Coming home to a clean and sanitary house leaves them feeling calm and happy; and in today’s crazy world that is important for their mental health and overall wellbeing.”
But she is very much looking forward to reinstating the healthcare agency. “The idea is to eventually have a ‘one stop shop’ for all of our local residents to rely on,” she says.
She stresses that “We cater to our local mountain towns and do not desire to enter any other markets. Currently the cleaning company services all residential, Airbnb, & commercial needs for the Peak to Peak area.”
The Gilpin In-home Healthcare Agency and the Gilpin Cleaning Company can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ Gilpincaregivers. The Company can be reached at 720.252.2566, as well as by email at [email protected].
Sponsored by Gilpin County, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
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Originally Appeared Here