Comfort Keepers of Ringgold has been providing in-home care for seniors since 2003.

Alan Hutchins, who runs the business with his wife Rhonda, said the idea to open Comfort Keepers came from Rhonda’s experience as a home health nurse.

He said as a home health nurse, Rhonda wasn’t authorized to provide certain services, such as delivering food or providing transportation, for patients.

“We want to provide an interactive service,” Hutchins said.

Hutchins said Comfort Keepers provides a combination of companion and personal care.

Companion care includes shared activities with clients, such as playing games with clients or helping a client en-joy an activity he would not be able to experience on his own.

Personal care includes things such as grooming, incontinence care and some housework.

Comfort Keepers does not, however, provide in-home medical services.

“We pick up where home health care ends,” Hutchins said.

He said all caregivers employed by Comfort Keepers receive national, state and local background checks and are bonded, so clients don’t have to worry about compensating the company if a caregiver is injured while providing services.

Hutchins said most homeowner’s insurance does not cover injuries sustained by caregivers.

He said after the holidays, Comfort Keepers sees more people interested in their services.

“We usually get calls after the kids come home for the holidays and begin to realize mom and dad aren’t doing as good,” Hutchins said. “We’re here to help remove that burden.”

Hutchins said services provided by Comfort Keepers are often covered by long-term care insurance policies. Comfort Keepers does not accept Medicare or Medicaid.

There are more than 550 Comfort Keepers franchises worldwide.

Comfort Keepers can be reached at 706-937-9955. It is located behind Millennium Circle in Ringgold.