Hands With Heart Marks Five Years

Hands with Heart, started quietly five years ago as a tribute to parents and grandparents, is celebrating its fifth anniversary amid rapid growth.

An open house will be held Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the program’s offices located in suite B208 in the former Chicago and Northwestern depot off Morse Street.

There will door prizes, refreshments and a chance to visit with staff and clients.

Hands with Heart is not a franchise, but rather an idea started by Jill Lewandowski five years ago.

It was founded as a tribute to our late parents and grandparents, and is a testament to the traditions and values that they have instilled in us, Lewandowski said. They have taught us to cherish each other and to take care of family, friends and neighbors. Through Hands with Heart, LLC we commit to taking care of those who matter most by, taking care of loved ones in our community.

Now with 16 employees, Lewandowski said the anniversary means more opportunities to help members of the community, to be able to be a support team for even more families, and to provide that connection and engagement to enrich the lives of others.

Our care teams work with families to ensure that their loved one has the help, support and compassionate care that they need to be safe in their home or living environment and to enrich their lives through our supportive interaction, Lewandowski said. We will help make long days shorter, and long nights more tolerable.

Hands with Heart is able to serve approximately 55 families and individuals in the community. The numbers fluctuate almost weekly but it has been a consistent source of support for Antigo and the surrounding area.

Staffers assist with shopping, meals, and making sure medications are taken on schedule along with cleaning, laundry and personal care assistance.

We are able to get loved ones out to lunch or safely transport them to their doctor or hair appointments, Lewandowski said. We are able to be a support to help keep your loved ones in their homes longer or be a resource to ensure that your family has someone checking in from time to time.

As caregivers, Hands with Hearts is often able to be the local contact and connection as well as patient advocate for those who do not live in the immediate area when crisis happens for their loved ones.

Hands with Heart owner Jill Lewandowski, left, and manager Becky Maus.