Community Blog

Ukrainians Have an Ally in HCR Home Care

Dave Carro - Marketing Manager

Since immigrating to the U.S. from Ukraine in 1951, Stephen Syplywyj has kept himself in good shape by exercising regularly and keeping his mind sharp. At 85 years old, he’s still active, but couldn’t escape medical problems typical for a man his age. In June 2009, Mr. Syplywyj needed surgery to repair a hernia. Just this year, he returned to the hospital to undergo a total hip replacement. Both of these surgeries required something he doesn’t typically ask for... help from outside the Ukrainian community.

“Ukrainians help each other; family helps family” said Mr. Syplywyj. “We don’t cry for the small things... we wait and see if the pain goes away.”

But the pain didn’t go away, and Mr. Syplywyj couldn’t wait any longer to repair his hernia or to receive his new hip. He turned to his doctors to fix these problems, and then turned to HCR Home Care for help after surgery.

“My wife and family can only do so much,” said Mr. Syplywyj. “They cared for me as best they could, but I needed the nurses and physical therapists at HCR to truly help me recover.”

HCR Home Care assigned Mr. Syplywyj to its Ukrainian Team. HCR is the only home care agency in Rochester which has Ukrainian nurses and home health aides who speak the language and understand the culture. It made a big difference for Mr. Syplywyj.

Mr. Syplywyj trusted all of the caregivers at HCR to help him get well again, but it was the Ukrainian staff who hold a special place in his heart.

“Being able to speak in Ukrainian was great comfort to me” said Mr. Syplywyj. “I am very happy I turned for help to HCR; I’m so glad they are a resource for the Ukrainian community.”

HCR Home Care can be reached at 585-272-1930 or www.HCRhealth.com.