Visiting Angels, one of the nation’s fastest growing providers of personal living assistance services for seniors, has opened a new franchise to serve the communities of Elkhart and Kosciusko counties and the surrounding region.

The new franchise, owned and operated by Kelly Linhart, a long-time Michiana resident, provides non-medical homecare for disabled adults and seniors to continue to live successfully at home. The central office for Visiting Angels is located at 408 E. Waterford in Wakarusa.

Linhart, a former educator and caseworker for Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration, became aware of Visiting Angels through the Fort Wayne franchise. Her research showed that a rapidly aging population, coupled with the rising costs of nursing home care and depleted retirement funds, has created an urgent need for in-home elderly care.

“I’m excited to be able to provide a high level of caregiving with the kind of integrity and quality that any of us would want for our own family members. Visiting Angels has a great national reputation with both caregivers and seniors,” said Linhart.

Though focused on Elkhart and Kosciusko counties, Linhart added that she has qualified caregivers in communities from LaGrange to Plymouth, “We have a strong screening system in place to help clients feel more comfortable allowing a caregiver into their homes to provide care. That’s important.”

Founded in 1998, and based in Haverton, Pa., Visiting Angels provides a range of helpful services, including basic chores, personal hygiene, meal preparation, shopping and companionship, as well as providing respite for family caregivers. For more information about Visiting Angels, call 574-807-4062.