From Premier's Office to Flower Covered Pink Car

Former Ontario Premier Mike Harris and His Wife Laura Open Nurse Next Door Home Care Franchise

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Former two-term Ontario Premier, Mike Harris and his wife Laura have launched a Nurse Next Door Home Care Franchise to serve seniors in Toronto. With nearly 15% of Toronto residents currently 65 years or older, the needs of local seniors are front and center.

"I'm excited that Laura and I can bring this innovative concept to our community," says Mike. "This business is about more than just providing healthcare services to seniors. It's about helping our seniors celebrate aging and getting them back to doing the things they love."

"It's no secret that our population is aging and it's our responsibility to make sure our seniors continue to thrive, not just cope," adds Laura, who will be running day-to-day operations. "Nurse Next Door is unique in its approach to healthcare. We focus on not just the clinical tasks but what exactly brings happiness to our clients. We want to get our clients back to doing the things they love."

Laura Harris, a registered nurse by training, has launched several successful businesses including Stadium Hostessing Services Inc., which today provides over 200 hosts at the Rogers Centre to VIP areas and clients in corporate suites.

In 1991 Laura was honored as one of Toronto's top "Women on the Move," an annual salute to enterprising women. Laura Harris is on the move again, changing the face of home care.

"I want to raise the bar of homecare in Toronto. I want to use my experience from the Rogers Centre to match clients with the best caregivers out there. It is time to customize their care to their needs and really treat seniors like 'clients,'" adds Laura.

Nurse Next Door provides 24 hours 7 days a week concierge service, with a full spectrum of in-home care ranging from a few hours of friendly companionship through to around-the-clock nursing care. With current resources across Greater Toronto stretched, this new venture will help alleviate the burden placed on existing care options, including family caregivers.

"I've been a caregiver myself," says Laura. "While it can be incredibly rewarding, it can also be incredibly exhausting. I want to help daughters go back to being daughters by letting us take care of the caregiving."

About Nurse Next Door
Nurse Next Door Home Care Services is Canada's fastest growing home care franchise system and is dedicated to providing seniors with the care and attention they need to stay at home while also celebrating aging. With more than 50 locations across Canada, Nurse Next Door is quickly becoming an industry leader.

SOURCE: Nurse Next Door

Arif Abdulla
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Nurse Next Door Home Care Services
1.866.571.9919
[email protected]