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She has evolved from nurse's aid to head angel. She's not a supernatural being with greater-than-human powers, but she is a guiding influence, grounded in the business of helping the elderly.

Lisa Taccardi is president and owner of Angels Watching Over You, Inc., a holistic homecare company that provides care, support and assistance to the elderly in the greater Waterbury area. Angels Watching Over You addresses special needs and services on a one-to-one basis, drawing on a network of professionals that range from doctors, registered nurses and certified nurse's aides to companions, nutritionists and massage therapists.

The company's name, which comes from a comforting thought shared by a friend during a difficult time, embraces Ms. Taccardi's philosophy of a holistic approach to offer the extra time and attention to listen and care about the patients in a way that goes beyond typical home or health care.

"My focus is 'what's going on in these people's hearts?'," she said. "'What's going on in their spirits?'"

When Ms. Taccardi was working as a nurse's aide in a local nursing home more than 10 years ago, she loved the work but grew frustrated with the lack of time available to take care of her patients and offer them a friendly ear.

"These people were willing to sacrifice their personal care if you would just sit and talk to them," she said.

"I knew I could do something different, not better," said Ms. Taccardi, admitting that she understood there were time and money constraints in operating a convalescent facility.

So, she started doing private duty as a nurse's aide. With a variety of tasks that included coordinating doctor appointments, planning meals and running errands, Ms. Taccardi said, "I just loved being able to make that much of a difference in one person's life."

Word spread and more and more people asked for Ms. Taccardi's help.

The Business snowballed from there, first working out of her home, then moving into office space at 686 Main Street in Watertown, where the business has continued to grow over the last six years.

Angels Watching Over You now has a pool of 75 to 100 people who work in different capacities to meet the needs of elderly clients in private homes, hospitals and convalescent or assisted living facilities. Ms. Taccardi did and continues to do a lot of research and networking to find help and professionals she trusts and who are willing to work with her.

Some are hired as employees, some are contractors whose services the company coordinates for patients and some are independent professionals to whom Ms. Taccardi refers people.

Angels Watching Over You offers up to 24-hour-a-day assistance with activities such as errands, bathing, medication monitoring and meal planning and preparation, as well as coordination of special services that range from care management to financial services. This past year, live-in care was added to the list of services.

"I kept evaluating the situation, determining the need and meeting the need and that's how this company has evolved to this," Ms. Taccardi said.

Although she cannot do it all herself anymore, Ms. Taccardi often visits patients to spend some quality one-on-one time with them. She takes pride in the network of people she has built to do the job.

"It's really exciting to think I have a team of 75 to 100 people out there who share my beliefs and standards in caring for the elderly," she said.

To help coordinate services and match clients with the appropriate "angels," Ms. Taccardi relies on Director Ellen White, Office Manager Kim Mikulskis and Office assistant Alex Savoy.

"The people who work here are just as committed as I am to growing this company and helping the elderly and that makes a big difference," said Ms. Taccardi. "We don't look at it as a job; we think of it as what we're called to do."

She said she believes her company should give back and give back they did by coordinating the Watertown holiday project for the last three years. Gifts were collected over the recent holiday season for 175 children in need.

Patients pay privately for the services provided by Angels Watching Over You something not all elderly patients can afford and something that has tugged on Ms. Taccardi's heart strings.

"That has been my one frustration," she said. "What about the people who don't have the resources?"

Ms. Taccardi recently found an answer in the Home-to-Home Foundation, a non-profit organization started by Dr. Richard Silverman. Its purpose is to enhance the quality of life for residents in long-term care facilities by providing increased human contact and social activities through volunteer programs.

Now, as a volunteer coordinator and member of the Home-to-Home Board of Directors, Ms. Taccardi feels she can help extend holistic care to those who cannot afford private service.

As for Angels Watching Over You, Ms. Taccardi says she does not want to open another branch at this point, but to keep improving the company she has.

"I will always continue to assess the need and meet the need if it's in the scope of my capability," she said. To learn more about Angels Watching Over You, call 860-945-6522.

Angels Watching Over You is an active member of the Watertown Oakville Chamber of Commerce, a division of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. For information on becoming a chamber member, contact Rich Lundwall at 203-757-0701.

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