About Us
Home is Where the Heart is
At Hearts at Home, our focus is to keep you or your loved ones at home and avoid:
- loss of friends and possessions
- loss of independence and freedom
- loss of spirit which is drained by the battles of daily living.
Our caring service allow our seniors to maintain as much independence as possible, by providing the appropriate in-home assistance and companionship. In that way, we lift the spirits not only for our clients, but the family caregivers as well.
Why Choose Us – Family Owned and Operated
Hearts at Home was founded in 2004 to provide caring assistance for the senior-in-need and help relieve the stress experienced by family caregivers. Through our professional medical and business experience, we recognize the value of qualified, compassionate caregivers. Owned by a licensed physical therapist who oversees quality control and training programs, Hearts at Home is uniquely positioned to meet your specific needs whether that be complicated transfers or continuation of home programs.
Through our many years of experience we have demonstrated our ability to help seniors stay in accommodations of their choosing, be it their own homes or assisted living facilities. Whether in need of companionship or assistance due to illness or limited mobility, we are here to help.
Clients’ families and friends have repeatedly thanked us over the years for our efforts in improving the quality of life for their loved ones. This wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and support of our professional caregivers.
Hearts at Home Senior Care provides excellent non-medical care for seniors residing in Austin and surrounding areas.
Management
Our caregivers are experienced, well educated, and committed to reliable and compassionate care for clients with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s, ALS, cancer and other progressive illnesses. They have deep experience caring for bedbound clients and those with diabetes and special diets. What’s more, before they join our team, they go through extensive background checks—including criminal history, misconduct registry, and reference checks.
MICHAEL WELFEL
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Welfel serves as Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations, marketing & business development, and agency financials. He has approximately 15 years of professional experience leading teams in Finance, Business Development, and Engineering. Most of his career involved developing investment opportunities and financial planning in the energy field. Recently, he served as Director of Investor Relations responsible for managing relationships within the capital markets including institutional investors, individual investors, and equity analysts.
Mr. Welfel holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Rice University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
STACEY WELFEL
Director of Training & Compliance
Mrs. Welfel serves as Director of Training and Compliance. She has more than 17 years of clinical experience as a neurological physical therapist, most of which was spent working with catastrophic rehab clients at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital. She currently works as a physical therapist and clinical coordinator for Rehab Without Walls, a unique rehabilitation concept providing patients with neurological injuries the functional skills necessary to return to their home and community.
Mrs. Welfel holds a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Austin. Mrs. Welfel is licensed to practice physical therapy in the state of Texas.
Kandyse Morales, MSW
Manager of Home Care Services - San Antonio & Austin
Kandyse Morales is currently the Manager of Home Care Services. She has a Master's degree in Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver and has gained valuable experience working for Health and Human Services and the Department of Family and Protective Services for four years.
Prior to joining Hearts at Home, Kandyse worked with families who provided care for foster youth diagnosed with medical needs, physical disabilities, and mental health conditions.
Megan Barr, RN
Director of Nursing
Megan Barr serves as Director of Nursing and has more than 9 years of experience as a nurse most of which was spent in long term care serving the elder population. While working as a RN at a LTC, she found a passion in caring for the elderly.
Megan attended Lee College where she received an associates degree in nursing.
PAUL HIGGINS
Chief Financial Officer
Paul Higgins Mr. Higgins serves as Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for billing, payroll, insurance, and overall financial information for the company. He has over 35 years of experience in financial roles, including 7 years in “Big Four” public accounting and about 30 years in accounting and financial planning roles in the energy industry. Mr. Higgins is “semi-retired” and serves as agency CFO on a part-time basis.
Mr. Higgins holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Teri Welfel
Recruiting Coordinator
Mrs. Welfel relocated to Texas over two decades ago and now calls Katy, TX home with her husband and teenage daughter. She became a registered medical assistant from Texas School of Business then worked for nearly seven years as a patient representative at Memorial Clinical Associates. She was responsible for assessing a patient’s needs and helping them obtain the care they needed. In 2020, she became a caregiver to a loved one who suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, providing her with first-hand experience and understanding of taking care of individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries. Her training and experience provide a unique ability to work with our seniors and loved-ones recovering from various injuries.
Kelli Lachner
Scheduling Coordinator
Mrs. Lachner serves as Scheduling Coordinator. She has been with Hearts at Home Senior Care from the beginning joining in 2004. She began by providing caregiver services to seniors in need which included in-home companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders and assistance with bathing and grooming. In early 2005, she was promoted to scheduling of caregivers and the primary interface with our clients. In her current role, she serves as alternate administrator, manages scheduling, and day-to-day operations with clients and caregivers.
Prior to joining Hearts at Home Senior Care, Mrs. Lachner was an elementary school educator for approximately 15 years at The Right Start Academy, The Bruk Academy and Clear Creek Independent School District. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Houston.