Our Story. Your Family.
Compassionate care and companionship so you can worry less and enjoy the little things that matter most.
For Papa’s Sake Home Care provides customized home care services and assistance with daily activities to accommodate you or your loved one’s unique needs. While some may just need companionship, others may require more involved personal care. Voted the #1 agency in North America in the top 100 in Experience by Home Care Pulse in 2022. We ensure best-in-class quality care and companionship.
Each individual we serve becomes a part of our family. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and companionship, enabling them to feel safe and enjoy the comforts of home.
We understand how it feels to want the best care for your loved one, yet not be able to provide it yourself or find a compassionate caregiver that genuinely cares and doesn’t neglect the most basic needs.
For Papa’s Sake Home Care was started because of just that – the need for home care with caregivers that truly CARE about YOU.
Papa, our beloved father and grandfather, experienced a tragic end-of-life experience due to lack of communication and neglect from the care he was receiving in a nursing home.
He was our everything.
At the time, we watched it all unravel before our eyes, feeling helpless as there were no other options available to us. We couldn’t be there 24/7. And, worst of all, no one even offered the care he and ALL others deserved.
Papa was a powerful force and an entertainer in the war. His job was to provide positive memories of the war for the soldiers – to make them laugh, and keep their minds off of the war and all they were missing back home. His joy in life was to simply put a smile on someone’s face.
We took that same mindset and carried it forward to create a thriving home care solution that makes a positive difference in our community and truly brings joy to all those we serve.
We believe in…
- Teamwork
- Integrity
- Transparency
- Impeccable Communication
- Seamless Experience
- Compassionate Care
Meet the Owners
Ellen Simon
Co-Owner
For Papa’s Sake is Ellen’s most treasured professional accomplishment. She takes great pride and works tirelessly to match the needs of her clients with the skills and personalities of our caregivers. When asked what sets her company apart from her competitors, it is her determination and genuine interest in making sure that both physical and emotional needs are equally being met for her clients.
Ellen firmly believes that in addition to being a service for her clients, For Papa’s Sake is a vital support system for the families going through the challenges of caring for their aging loved ones. She maintains an ever-present and ongoing relationship with her clients and caregivers, caring about each of them as she would her very own family.
Ellen formerly served as a Commissioner on Wheeling’s Board of Health to advocate for healthy living.
In her free time, Ellen enjoys:
- Supporting local events focusing on healthy senior aging
- Being an advocate for healthy living
- Yoga
- Traveling
- Reading
- Music and theater
- Spending time with her six grandchildren (Hazel, Harrison, Jake, Julianna, Annette, and Jack), and her Shih Tzu, Bissel
Robert Simon
Co-Owner
Robert is an integral part of For Papa’s Sake’s support system. Keeping well informed about each of our client cases and working closely with Ellen and their staff creates a real “team” approach to running their business. While Robert oversees the financial aspects of For Papa’s Sake, his #1 priority is ensuring the clients, caregivers, and the office staff’s concerns and needs are being met.
With firsthand knowledge of the families’ issues, he makes it his mission to listen, understand, and facilitate wherever he can. Robert’s mom had Alzheimer’s Disease, so he easily relates to the frustrations, challenges, and heartbreak of having a loved one afflicted with debilitating issues and how it impacts the entire family.
In his free time, Robert enjoys:
- Lifting weights at the gym
- Relishing time with his grandchildren
- Learning about history and politics
Meet the Team
Becky Reel
Executive Director
Becky brings over 15 years of operations experience to the organization. She received her undergraduate degree from Columbia College in Chicago, focusing on media management and communications. She received her Master’s in Business Administration, focusing on organizational changes and international business from Lake Forest College. Becky is an active member of the Arlington Heights community and Chamber of Commerce. She was a leader in the community finalist in 2021 through the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
Becky and her husband live in Arlington Heights with their two children, Hazel and Harrison (both named after her Papa), and their dogs, Arthur and Doug.
Becky is a…
- True fan of the show, The Office
- A dedicated Fanilow – Barry Manilow concert-going fanatic
- Lover of animals, especially dogs
- Coffee Aficionado
Nikki Swoboda
Care Manager
Nikki started her career in caregiving in 2014 at an assisted living facility. While working in the facility, Nikki focused heavily on Alzheimer’s and Dementia patient care. Nikki joined For Papa’s Sake in November of 2017 when she relocated to the Chicago area. Since joining For Papa’s Sake, she has worked with various clients doing everything from basic companion care to hospice care. As the Care Coordinator, Nikki works directly with our caregivers to ensure they are properly trained and supported to give our clients the highest quality of care.
Nikki is a…
- Music lover and concert goer
- Ferret mom to Gia & Bear
- Chinese food fanatic, especially egg foo young
- Family-oriented soul
Phoebe Skaleski
Operations Director
Phoebe Skaleski joined For Papa’s Sake as our Manager of Scheduling and Communications after many years working in administrative management for an outpatient and Physical Therapy facility. At For Papa’s Sake, she is responsible for ensuring a smooth transition and handling of all client and caregiver schedules and communication to keep all parties informed. Her expertise in leadership and customer service will lead the charge with all things logistics.
Phoebe is a…
- Diehard Chicago Blackhawks fan
- Lover of the outdoors (fishing and hiking) alongside her son, Sean
- Faithful foodie who enjoys trying out new recipes
Genevieve Nigro
Onboarding & Employee Success Manager
Genevieve joined For Papa’s Sake in 2022. She graduated from John Carroll University with a degree in Sociology, concentrating in Public Health, Human Rights, and Social Justice. Genevieve found her passion for employee engagement early in her career and has made it her mission to ensure the success of every caregiver at For Papa’s Sake. She believes that a company thrives when its employees are happy and fulfilled.
Genevieve is a….
- Tea connoisseur
- Novice tarot card reader
- Authentic Italian sauce maker
- Enthusiastic yogi
Amanda Lara
Employee Success and Onboarding Coordinator
Amanda Lara joined For Papa’s Sake Home in March 2023. Amanda started her career as a nurse at the Little Sisters of the Poor and found her love for caring for others. Amanda is an active volunteer at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital & Feed My Starving Children. In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her 8-year-old son, Grayson who keeps her on her toes.
Amanda enjoys yoga, green tea, and country music.
