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Home Instead Senior Care
Chicago – Gold Coast and Lincoln Park

I want to thank you so much for your attention to detail and let you know how very much we appreciate the flexibility of your staff. Every caregiver you have sent our way has been especially wonderful, professional and most of all caring. We find the caregivers easy to work with and enjoy their company as much as my mom does.

 

— Elizabeth

Call us today at 773-463-3500
HomeInstead.com > zzFranSite - 470 - Chicago > About Us > Our Team

Our Team

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Call us at (773)-463-3500 to learn how our CAREGivers can help you or your loved one.

Our CAREGivers come first - and deservedly so. Without them, we couldn't provide care. All CAREGivers go through a lengthy screening process which includes criminal background checks, Deparment of Motor Vehicle checks, work status verifications, previous employment verifications, and in-depth interviews. To become a CAREGiver for Home Instead, a worker must be caring, compassionate, and extremely reliable. All of our home care staff are company employees, covered by worker's compensation & liability insurance. Home Instead handles all of the tax witholding for the CAREGivers wages.

Our elder care process begins with a free, no-obligation consultation, where a member of our office team meets with the client and family in the comfort of the client's home. Our CAREGivers are often referred to as companions, homemakers, home helpers, personal care attendants, or home care workers. Call us to learn more, or to set up a consultation.


Jackie & Michael Melinger - Owners

Owners Jackie & Michael Melinger are both graduates of the University of Illinois in Champaign.  Their experience includes health care management, human resources, customer service, scheduling, logistics, and quality control. Jackie, a former Illinois Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, holds a Master's Degree in Human Resources from Chicago's Loyola University, and oversees staffing and bookkeeping.  Jackie is both a Team Leader & Committee Member of the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual North Shore Walk to End Alzheimers.  Michael oversees client services, and overall administration of the company. Michael is currently serving his 3rd 3 year appointment on the Illinois Department of Public Health's Home Health Advisory Board, spent 7 years on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Chapter of the National Private Duty Association, and serves on the Skokie Health Department's IPLAN Committee.  Jackie & Michael have been franchise owners with Home Instead Senior Care since in 2001, have 3 children and live in the North Shore.  Jackie & Michael also volunteer regularly in various community causes and activities, including nursing home pet therapy, Alzheimer’s support group facilitation, Parent Teacher Association, Youth Athletic Coaching, and the North Shore Senior Center Escorted Transportation Service.

Bridget Murtha – Client Services Manager

Client Services Manager, Chicago/North Side: Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Streeterville, Wrigleyville, Wicker Park, River North, Humbolt Park, Logan Square, Lakeview, Bucktown, Roscoe Village, Portage Park, Jefferson Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge.

Bridget joined Home Instead as the Client Services Manager for the North Side of Chicago in June 2011. Bridget received her BSSW from The Ohio State University and her MSW from Loyola University Chicago. Her experience includes coordinating services for adults with developmental disabilities and providing medical social services to seniors receiving home health services. At Home Instead, Bridget oversees client services and maintains relationships with the eldercare community for the North Side of Chicago.

Gina Sheffer - Director of Client Services

Gina Sheffer joined Home Instead Senior Care in 2004, is the Director of Client Services. Providing support and communication, and helping families figure out solutions to tough issues are what she does best. Gina has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, and a Master's Degree in Human Services Administration from the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Biju Krishnan

Biju Krishnan joined Home Instead Senior Care's office team in June 2007. Originally from Calicut, India, Biju has a Master's Degree in Social Work from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India. Biju spends most of his time at Home Instead managing the CAREGiver’s schedules, and.  Biju also frequently serves as After Hours Service Manager for Home Instead.


Barbara Belsky, RN

Barbara Belsky, RN joined Home Instead Senior Care in January of 2008.  Barbara has 25 years of experience in nursing, geriatrics and rehabilitation.  Barbara has worked as a Director of Nursing for skilled nursing facilities as well as in home health nursing, and geriatric care management settings.    Her duties include managing Home Instead’s Home Nursing License, and Home Services License to insure compliance with the Illinois Department of Public Health Licensure requirements, training Home Instead's CAREGivers in the proper techniques of personal care and body mechanics, and performing in-home evaluations & quality control visits.  Barbara's expertise enhances Home Instead's ability to design and monitor plans of care for complex cases, and to provide technical support to our homecare workers in the field.