Young Statian Launches Home Care Business Inspired by Family Experience

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius - A new home care business, Family Touch Home Care, officially opened its doors on St. Eustatius on Monday evening at Ruby Hassell Road.

The company was founded by 22-year-old Reginald Gibbs and will initially focus on social support services as well as wash and laundry services, with plans to gradually expand its offerings in the coming months.

Speaking with BES-Reporter, Gibbs said the idea for the business was inspired by his own family’s experiences while helping care for his grandmother.

“I saw how much responsibility fell on my father and the rest of the family because there was very limited support available,” Gibbs explained. “That made me realize there is a real need on Statia for more care and support services for families.”

Gibbs studied Level 3 nursing in the Netherlands and said he first began developing plans for the business approximately three years ago. After completing a contract with the Koninklijke Marechaussee, he decided to continue pursuing the idea and turn it into a formal business.

According to Gibbs, Family Touch Home Care works together with the Social Support unit of the Public Entity St. Eustatius and operates under agreements involving ZJCN and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). Requests for support services are submitted through the Social Support unit and assessed by ZJCN in Bonaire before approval is granted.

Compassionate and dependable

“Our goal is to provide compassionate and dependable care that makes people feel respected, supported and treated like family,” Gibbs told BES-Reporter.

Family Touch Home Care currently employs seven caregivers, with the possibility of further expansion in the future.

Family members, friends, community supporters and invited guests attended the opening ceremony on Monday marking the launch of the locally founded business.