Home Instead is a locally owned business that provides the finest, most compassionate home health care services for seniors in the area. Owner Dan Pahos opened the Birmingham franchise of Home Instead in 1997 after caring for his aging parents in Minnesota, and his driving purpose in running the company remains.
“Our mission is to enhance the lives of seniors and those who love them,” Pahos said. “We give families a way to allow an aging loved one to age in place, in the comfort of their own home.”
Based in Vestavia Hills, Home Instead is distinguished by its extensive employee training.
“Each CAREGiver receives a two-day, in-person, instructor-led training on all the equipment used in a home,” Pahos said.
Condoleezza Bell, who works in Home Instead human resources and trains new employees, said she’s “very proud” of the company’s training.
“I’ve worked for other agencies that don’t offer two days of training at all. A caregiver may be lucky to get three hours of training.”
It’s important that caregivers learn “how to give the best care possible no matter what the illness is, so we stick to Home Instead training standards,” Bell said. “We want our caregivers to be 100% competent and comfortable with caring for another human being. I don’t mind going that extra mile for additional training for those that need it.”
Bell has worked for Home Instead since 2012 and is proud of the long tenures of many of the company’s employees.
“What makes Home Instead special is that we have caregivers that have been with our company for 10-plus years,” she said. “They are loyal, dedicated and still love working for Home Instead.”
Pahos said he’s fortunate to have such “loyal, dedicated employees,” including both caregivers and administrative personnel.
“We have the expertise and experience to help you deal with your eldercare situation, be it short or long term,” he said.
“Working for Home Instead is very gratifying,” Bell said. “As a caregiver, I had the privilege of helping someone remain in their home, and to be able to honor that wish made me feel that I made a difference in someone’s life.”
Home Instead also offers excellent customer service, with highly trained client service managers who develop detailed care plans and provide ongoing case management.
“This is included for free in our hourly rates,” Pahos said.
Home Instead offers a wide range of services for seniors, including personal care, home helper, transportation, and companionship services, as well as hospice support. The company also cares for seniors with dementia, chronic illnesses, arthritis, and diabetes.
“It’s a privilege to be able to help seniors and their families with our seasoned, responsive staff that’s available 24/7, 365 days a year,” Pahos said.
“It’s so rewarding to know we can make a difference for seniors and help them age in place in their home,” said Director of Operations Andrea Martin.
Home Instead was recently listed at No. 5 in Alabama in Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers by State 2025.”
