7 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,N ovem ber 26,2020 insidehalton.com Oakville Experience theadvantages ofcoworkingandcollaboration inaworkspacetocall yourown. Plus,getabonusgiftwithsign-up.* Scan here for yourSonyWireless Noise-cancellingHeadphones, includedwith a 3-month commitment. While supplies last.** *Sony Wireless Noise-cancelling Headphones, Black. Retail value: $249. Applies to newmembers only. Minimum 3-month commitment required. Applicable membership plans include: Unlimited Access; PremiumUnlimited;PrivateOffice. To learnmore about Studio, visit studio.staples.ca 320NorthServiceRoadWest (atDorval),Oakville | 289-430-0217 Steve Kelly wanted to work directly with people and make a difference. Working in financial services, which he did for almost 30 years -- most re- cently as managing direc- tor at CIBC World Markets -- was challenging. "You don't get to see the direct impact upon people. Senior care certainly al- lows you to do that," said Kelly, a longtime Oakville resident, volunteer driver and board member with Oakville Meals on Wheels and former board member of Alzheimer Society of Canada. Recently, Kelly was awarded a Canadian Mas- ter franchise territory by U.S.-based Always Best Care Senior Services to oversee franchise develop- ment in Canada, specifi- cally in Ontario. Kelly has also opened his own location on Dorval Drive, serving not just Oakville residents but those beyond its borders, including Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton and Milton. It will be the first Always Best Care fran- chise in the province and only the second in Canada. He chose Always Best Care because it is people- focused and the needs of the client are put first; plus franchise and reve- nue growth are outcomes rather than targets, he said. "The culture just seemed to be a great fit." Best Care offers non- medical in-home care and assisted living referral ser- vices. "As with a lot of servic- es, differentiation comes down to focus and people. Clients come first, and caregivers are our biggest strength. We value and re- spect the contribution made by caregivers." Time is spent recruit- ing the right people, pro- viding training and match- ing caregivers to clients, he said. "With an intense focus on both clients and care- givers, we aim to provide the highest quality senior care services available. Our mission is to help se- niors live safely in their home with comfort, inde- pendence, dignity and joy." Opening during a pan- demic poses challenges, he admits. Demand is some- what deferred as clients stay away from elective hospital procedures and/ or doctor visits, and build- ing awareness is difficult due to the inability to visit hospitals, retirement com- munities and other facili- ties, said Kelly. "But that is OK. We are building a business for the long term and in the long term, society is going to have a very difficult time meeting the demand for se- nior care." Canada now has more seniors than children 14 and under and by 2028, 22 per cent of the population will be 65 and older, he said. "We expect to hire over 100 caregivers in the Oak- ville area over the next few years." BUSINESS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES LOCAL BUSINESSPERSON EMBRACES DIRECT IMPACT AFFORDED HIM WITH SENIORS CARE KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com Steve Kelly is the franchise owner of Always Best Care. Graham Paine/Torstar ALWAYS BEST CARE SENIOR SERVICES LOCATION: 710 Dorval Dr. Suite 115 (Oakville Corporate Centre) PHONE: 905- 592- 4886 EMAIL: skelly@abc-seniors.com HOURS OF OPERATION: Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but an after-hours line is answered 24-7/365. WEBSITE: www.alwaysbestcareoakville.com