Americare Plus LLC To Open Soon
By Bonita Wilborn
For 13 years, Sarah Chamlee, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), has worked in the medical field. Currently she is working as a home health nurse but has plans to open a business called Americare Plus LLC at 1105 Main Street in Fyffe, sometime in the spring of 2021. Top of Form
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The business has been described as being a blend of herb shop and medical equipment store.
Chamlee stated that she recognizes the need to have a health and wellness store in this area and explained that the business will offer durable medical equipment to those that are insured as well as pay options for individuals who are uninsured.
When the business first opens its doors, due to the regulations and requirements that must be met to accept insurance payments, they will be operating on a private pay status, but as the processes are completed they will be able to accept insurance as payment for some medical equipment items.
Chamlee explained that durable medical equipment includes equipment that promotes mobility and stability such as: knee-scooters, , crutches, walkers, wheelchairs both manual and battery operated, and bariatric wheelchairs that can carry as much as 700 pounds, will also be available.
Additionally they will have items such as: knee splints, wrist splints, exercise equipment, yoga supplies, and etc.
The wholistic care portion of the store will include: vitamins, herbs, essential oils, local honey, natural soaps, healthy eating cookbooks, diabetic portion plates that shows diabetics the amount of protein, starch, and vegetable they should portion themselves. They will also have various diet plans such as Paleo and Keto as well as free educational resources and printouts for various medical issues.
“We’ll have nutritional supplements and the hard-to-find non-perishable whole food items.
Chamlee stated, “I want people to know that you can live in the south and still follow a healthy diet. I know we like cornbread and fried chicken, but something as simple as changing your cooking oil can save your arteries.”
Future plans include a license for oxygen and some wellness classes such as essential oil classes. A website is currently under construction so that customers can order larger items, not stocked inside the store. Americare Plus will serve both DeKalb and Jackson Counties. For more information call 256-659-8112.
“I’m so excited. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Our goal is to make medical equipment affordable to those who do not have insurance. We want to keep our rental rates down and also the outright purchase rates,” Chamlee explained. “I’ve been there and I know what it is like.”
Chamlee went on to say, “The plan is for you to be able to come in and get all your health and wellness items, whether it be vitamins, essential oils, diabetic cookbook, or medical equipment.
In addition to being an LPN, Chamlee is a wife and mother of three children. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of North Sand Mountain covering Jackson and DeKalb Counties.
As a representative for CASA, Chamlee explained, “A large percentage of CASA funding comes from the VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant funds. Government funding for programs such as CASA, DHR (Department of Human Resources), and CAC (Children’s Advocacy Center) have historically been funded at a rate of around $33 million per year, to be divided between the agencies throughout the state, however, this year for a reason unknown to me, that funding has been cut from $33 million to $10 million. That cuts out 2/3 of CASA funding as VOCA funds are all the government funding CASA receives. Many of the individuals served by CASA cannot be served this year since our funding is so low.”
Sarah has asked that everyone visit the website below and send a letter to the state legislature requesting that the funding be restored. https://nationalcasagal.org/advocate-for-children/advocate-for-legislation/grassroots-advocacy/
When the website comes up allow your pointer to hover over “Advocate for Children”. Then a box will come down so you can click on “Advocate for Legislation”. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and you will see the words “Ask Congress to prioritize children”. Click on the red “Take Action” button. This will take you to a letter to a number of legislators. Make sure they all have a checkmark on the box beside their names. You will also be asked for your name and address so that they know you are not the same person sending them the letter over and over again. That’s all there is to it.
