In Home Supportive Services in Wheaton and Naperville, IL

Dr. Claire Leegard, DNP, RN, is a nurse, educator, entrepreneur, and community leader with experience caring for patients across the lifespan, from newborns to centenarians. Her professional focus has included senior care, community health, mental health, nursing leadership, education, and workforce development.

Throughout her career, Dr. Leegard has remained committed to improving care not only through direct nursing practice, but also through teaching, mentorship, and leadership. Her work in nursing education allows her to help prepare future nurses while remaining actively engaged in current clinical practices, emerging research, and the changing needs of patients and families.

Dr. Leegard’s approach to nursing extends beyond the traditional clinical setting. Rather than limiting her work to an office, classroom, or hospital, she values meeting clients and families in their own homes, where she can better understand their routines, challenges, preferences, and goals. She believes that truly personalized care begins with listening and recognizing the whole person behind the care plan.

As the owner and president of Home Helpers Home Care of Wheaton and Naperville, Dr. Leegard combines her nursing expertise with advanced training in leadership, research, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice. She provides clinical and operational leadership while working closely with clients, families, caregivers, and community partners to promote safety, independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Her decision to focus more intentionally on home care was strengthened by what she witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I enjoyed working as a nurse, but when I saw the toll the pandemic took on older adults and their families, I realized I had an opportunity to help by focusing on care in the home. Home Helpers allows me to combine my passion for nursing with the need for dependable, high-quality support for older adults in our community.”

Dr. Leegard is also deeply committed to developing others. She believes strong care begins with well-prepared, supported, and respected caregivers. Through education, mentorship, and hands-on leadership, she works to build a team that understands that excellent home care is not simply about completing tasks. It is about earning trust, preserving dignity, building meaningful relationships, and helping individuals remain connected to the lives they value.

Her leadership is guided by a simple principle: do the right thing, always. That commitment influences every aspect of the agency, from caregiver education and client advocacy to care planning, quality oversight, and community involvement.

For Dr. Leegard, the success of Home Helpers is measured by more than growth or business performance. It is measured by the confidence families feel, the relationships caregivers build, and the difference compassionate care makes in a client’s daily life. Through her clinical knowledge, educational leadership, and personal approach to service, she continues to help elevate the standard of home care, one caring connection at a time.

Jon Leegard brings a disciplined, thoughtful approach to financial leadership and business operations. He believes that anything worth doing is worth doing well, while also recognizing that progress requires adaptability, sound judgment, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

With a double major in accounting and finance, Jon brings a comprehensive understanding of how financial decisions affect every area of an organization. He looks beyond the numbers to identify opportunities, solve operational challenges, strengthen internal systems, and create processes that improve efficiency across the business.

Jon is known for his integrity, attention to detail, and willingness to address challenges directly. He approaches difficult decisions with honesty and accountability while encouraging open communication and collaborative problem-solving. His leadership style helps teams understand not only what needs to change, but why those changes matter to the overall success of the organization.

As Chief Financial Officer, Jon oversees the agency’s financial health, business planning, risk management, and long-term sustainability. He works closely with Claire and the leadership team to evaluate growth opportunities, monitor performance, strengthen operational procedures, and ensure that resources are used responsibly.

Jon also understands that decisions made in one department can have significant effects throughout an organization. Whether implementing a new process, reviewing expenses, improving reporting systems, or supporting strategic planning, he considers the broader operational impact and works to build solutions that are both practical and sustainable.

Together, Jon and his wife, Dr. Claire Leegard, are committed to strengthening Home Helpers and positioning the agency for continued growth and excellence. Jon provides the financial expertise, operational discipline, and steady leadership needed to support the agency’s mission while maintaining the high standards of service, integrity, and accountability that clients, families, and caregivers deserve.

Paula Moerschel has been part of the Home Helpers family for 18 years. She began her career with the agency as a caregiver, giving her first-hand experience in the most important part of our work: serving clients with compassion, reliability, and respect in their own homes.

That direct-care background continues to shape the way Paula supports both clients and caregivers today. In her role as Scheduler and Care Coordinator, she works closely with families to understand their needs, coordinate dependable care, and create schedules that support each client’s routines, preferences, and changing circumstances.

Paula also plays an important role in building and supporting our caregiver team. She understands the demands of caregiving because she has done the work herself. This allows her to thoughtfully match caregivers with clients based on experience, personality, availability, and the specific needs of the care plan.

Her responsibilities extend beyond filling shifts. Paula communicates regularly with clients, families, and caregivers, helps address scheduling changes, supports continuity of care, and works to ensure that services remain consistent and dependable. She is often one of the first people families speak with when care needs change, and she approaches each situation with patience, practical problem-solving, and a strong commitment to doing what is best for the client.

Paula is dedicated to building a team of caregivers who reflect the values of Home Helpers and to helping families feel confident that their loved ones are receiving compassionate, personalized care. Her years of experience, deep understanding of home care, and long-standing commitment to the agency make her an invaluable part of our team.