Long-time island resident Melinda Callaham is offering Bainbridge residents with medical needs a variety of home healthcare options through her new nursing service Kitsap Home Health.
“I love taking care of people in the comfort of their home,” Callaham said. “My clients are happier and healthier in their homes, and I try to meet their emotional and physical needs with care and respect.”
A registered nurse with 23 years of experience, Callaham transitioned from a hospital job to a home-based care service over five years ago. She now offers customizable care options based on the individual needs of her patients, all of whom she treats in their homes.
“At home my clients can be amongst their pets and have their belongings around them,” she said. “Family members can easily come visit, and I can provide them meals at home. My mission is to provide professional nursing care in the comfort of the home environment.”
Kitsap Home Health offers clients care and assistance for a variety of conditions including diabetic management, medication management, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, meal preparation, transportation to medical appointments, wound care, light house keeping and even some pet care assistance.
“My ideal patient is somebody who wants to stay in their home and live independently,” Callaham said.
Though relatively new to business ownership, Callaham’s love of care giving and nursing is life-long.
“Ever since I was a little girl I played doctor with my dolls,” she said. “In high school I volunteered at a hospital in Bellevue and that’s where my career began. My love for this profession has only increased with time.”
Callaham says that working for herself actually allows her to take better care of her patients.
“I’m able to use my own judgement and ideas,” she said. “I don’t have anybody up above me telling me what to do so I’m able to avoid the politics and upper management and I can spend all my energy taking care of my clients.”
Having only officially been in operation for less than a month, Kitsap Home Health already has three regular patients and Callaham has consulted many others and offers free in-home assessments for potential clients.
“Nothing beats putting a smile on my client’s face,” she said. “The most rewarding experiences are those where I can make even the slightest difference in somebody’s recovery, to make an impact in a sick person’s life with a kind word, tender touch or just a listening year. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to touch the lives of my clients and their families, I am thankful and grateful for that opportunity.”
To schedule a free in-home assessment, or to learn more about the many services offered by Kitsap Home Health, email Callaham at Kitsaphomehealth@gmail.com or call 206-842-3436.
