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Published: Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2009 11:09 AM

New Fort Mill business offers 24/7 medical care - and more

David and Cathy Saporito were on a mission.

The Fort Mill couple was searching for a business that could help provide quality-of-life daily care for Cathy's 92-year-old father who lives in Massachusetts. Months went by and the couple turned up nothing for their loved one.

"It was a frustrating experience," David Saporito said. "We just couldn't find the right match between what agencies were offering and my father-in-law needed." Eventually, the Saporitos found help.

"It took five months," David Saporito said. "My father-in-law is not happy."

The ordeal of finding the right match started six months ago. It was an eye-popping experience for Saporito.

"When I had that experience with my father-in-law, I realized if I could help families find the care that they are looking for their loved ones, then I would go home every night personally satisfied," he said.

So, the former banking industry employee in early February opened a Fort Mill-based BrightStar Healthcare. The company, anchored at 2012 Hwy. 160 West, offers full-service medical and non-medical care for clients that's aimed at continuing their quality of life at home. The Fort Mill BrightStar is one of more than 75 locations across the country, including a site in Hilton Head. A Spartanburg location is set to open later this month, and a Charlotte site is slated to open in April, said Shelly Sun, BrightStar founder and chief executive officer.

"We're able to offer a full range of services to allow a love one to stay in their home and have a much higher quality of life," Sun said.

The effort is all about helping families have an easier time caring for their loved ones. Services range from providing companionship and transportation, to doctor appointments, light household cleaning and cooking to skilled daycare for children and the young at heart. They also handle bathing and turning those who are bedridden to prevent bed sores. BrightStar also assists with staffing for nursing homes, doctor's offices and hospitals.

"Our ultimate goal is to provide families with peace of mind because one of the things people find when they try to do their own care giving is that it's hard," Saporito said.

"It's exhausting. We help them through the transition."

Yet, getting senior adults and others to accept help can be a challenged, Saporito said.

"It's a big deal for a lot of people to have a stranger to come into their house," he said. "BrightStar finds the right match for the right person."

And that help is available around the clock from CPR-trained caregivers, he said.

"We're always available because people's needs are 24 hours, seven days a week," Saporito said.

Services are available for clients in Chester, Lancaster and York counties.

"The population growth is faster in this county," he said of York County. "It's definitely a bedroom community for Charlotte. As it (York County) grows, so does the need for more health care. The trend is rising for families to keep loved ones at home for as long as possible so there's an even greater need for in home health care."

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. To arrange for care or for more information, call 578-9900.