Tom Eisen of Coralville, Iowa, has multiple sclerosis. Tom is part of a growing population of Americans who need specialized care. Without it, Tom and others like him would have to give up the comforts of home and move to a residential care or assisted living facility.

"As our population ages, there are more and more people who need those assisting services. Instead of being in a facility where they lose some of that control and independence, this allows them to remain in their home," says Karla Neuzil, nurse manager for UI Home Life.

Thanks to Home Life and nurses like Marilyn Fulton, R.N., Tom is able to enjoy the independence of living at home:

"Having a disability--a physical disability--makes it difficult to do things around the house. Marilyn makes it very easy to continue to live in this beautiful place," says Tom.

Home Life services range from personal care, to skilled nursing, to light housekeeping duties. Caregivers can even stay in the home overnight, if necessary. It's a very personalized way of helping people who are trying to maintain some independence.

"Sometimes you see these people more often than their family does--even if it's a two-hour shift. A lot of them, they don't get to see family members two hours a day, so it's a very rewarding situation," says Marilyn.

Home Life is a division of University of Iowa Community HomeCare and is available in Johnson county and surrounding areas. Some long-term care insurance plans will pay for Home Life services. For more information, call 319-337-9055, or log onto www.uihealthcare.com/homecare.