Our Story

Built from the other side of the door.

Lakeshore Helping Hands isn't another agency run by business people. It was founded by someone who has actually needed a caregiver — every day, for over 25 years.

A Letter From Our Founder

Hi — I'm Neal Goss, and I've spent over 25 years on the receiving end of home care. I know what it feels like when a caregiver walks through the door for the first time. I know the difference between someone who's just doing a job and someone who actually sees you. And I know how much a great caregiver can change a life — and how much a bad match can take from it.

That lived experience shapes everything we do. When we hire caregivers, we're not thinking about staffing ratios or margins. We're thinking: would I trust this person in my own home, on my hardest day? If the answer isn't an immediate yes, they don't work here.

We're small, owner-operated, and we intend to stay that way. When you call Lakeshore Helping Hands, you reach the founder — not a call center, not a regional manager, not a franchise layer. Every match is overseen personally, and we're directly accountable when something isn't working.

We serve Lake, Cook, DuPage, and Kendall counties. We're licensed, insured, and every caregiver is background-checked and trained for the situations they'll actually face — dementia, mobility, recovery, memory support. But the thing we're proudest of isn't on any checklist. It's that our caregivers are chosen for who they are, not just what they can do.

One moment that makes the point A family once told us their loved one had refused three caregivers in a row — not because the caregivers were bad, but because they kept being treated like a patient instead of a person. When we matched her with someone who also loved gardening and made tea exactly the way she remembered her grandmother's, the refusals stopped within a week. Nothing in a résumé would have predicted that match. But it's exactly why we hire, train, and match the way we do.

We don't just assign — we align.

If you're reading this because someone you love needs help, we understand how heavy that can feel. Whatever you decide, we hope you find care that fits your family. If Lakeshore is the right fit, we'll make sure of it. And if we're not, we'll tell you honestly and help point you somewhere that is.

Thank you for being here.

— Neal Goss

Founder, Lakeshore Helping Hands

Our Standards

The bar we hold ourselves to.

Founded on lived experience

Over 25 years of personal caregiving experience shape our standards. We know what exceptional looks like — and refuse to settle for anything less.

Consistent caregivers

Familiar faces build trust. We keep the same caregivers with the same clients whenever possible, so relationships deepen over time.

Personalized matches

Beyond skills and availability, we match on personality and values. Your caregiver should feel like the right fit — not the only option.

Licensed, bonded & insured

Fully licensed, bonded, and insured — proudly serving Lake, Cook, DuPage, and Kendall counties with full compliance and transparency.

Trained and supervised

Every caregiver is background-checked and trained in dementia, senior care, and mobility — with ongoing oversight by our care team.

Always accessible

Local, responsive, and just one call away. No phone trees, no hold music — just a direct line to someone who can actually help.

Let's talk.

The best way to know if Lakeshore is right for your family is a conversation. It's free, it's honest, and there's no pressure.

Schedule a Free Consultation (847) 861-5915