1971:
In the fall of 1971, fifty concerned citizens held a meeting at the North Church on Spinney Road in Portsmouth to address the need to provide supportive services in the home, for elderly and people with disabilities. The community leaders knew there was a crucial need and realized, for the elderly or disabled adult who may be alone or isolated from family, friends, and society, homemaker services would be an integral part of that persons life. From this meeting, the idea of Area Homemaker & Home Health Aide Services was born.
1972:
In June of 1972, Area Homemaker Home Health Aide Service, Inc. opened its doors. Elizabeth "Lee" Ballard, who attended that first organizational meeting, would serve as the Agency's executive director for the next 17 years.
1987:
The Agency started Adult In-Home Care.
1998:
The Agency changed its name to Area HomeCare & Family Services, Inc. and dedicated the Ballard Building, in honor of Lee Ballard.
The agency has grown from 10 to 110 full and part time employees. Today, 40 Homemaker providers and 70 In-Home Care providers are providing services to 900 elderly and people with disabilities. The agency provides over 120,000 hours of service each year to area seniors and their families.
After 3 decades of service, Area HomeCare & Family Services, Inc. looks to the future, secure in a tradition of providing quality care to our elderly and people with disabilities and their families.