Right at Home Opens to Give Aid, Companionship to Area Seniors

Since Bob Stelletello moved back to the Chicago area, he’s been involved with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Meals on Wheels and other ventures that help, among other groups, the senior population.

So when he looked for a new business opportunity, he saw a perfect match in Right at Home, a national company that offers in-home companionship and personal care and assistance to seniors and adults who want to continue to live independently.

He recently opened an Oak Park-based franchise to serve the west side of Chicago and near west suburbs, including Oak Park and Forest Park.

“One of the best things about it for me is just to see the relief that families feel when they know that their mom or their grandma or their treasured relative is safe, that they’re secure,” he said. “It’s one less thing they have to worry about.”

Right at Home was founded in Omaha in 1995, and local offices are independently owned and operated. It has more than 300 franchises in 42 states and several countries.

Stelletello, who lives in Wheaton, was a partner of a group in California that focused on early-stage Alzheimer’s, and also got first-hand looks at the elderly population with the Food Depository and Meals on Wheels. After volunteering for a while at the food bank he was offered a job, and he was later recruited to Meals on Wheels to run its fundraising branch.

“I’ve been aware of the challenges that face families with aging relatives,” he said. “It’s a good business because it really helps people.”

At Right at Home, adults with disabilities and senior citizens are able to remain comfortable in their homes. Each client gets a personalized care plan, whether they need help with shopping, household chores or just want a companion. And Stelletello knows the population that needs help will only grow because of the Baby Boomer generation.

“I feel a certain sense of responsibility,” he said. “These are the people who built all the fabulous things we enjoy today. It just seems right that they deserve our help and to be treated well.”