There are many home health care businesses in the state of Michigan, but few if any can provide what Acute Home Health Care of Troy can. 

Specialized bracelets for seniors containing pertinent medical info on a memory card.

Started from scratch by Iraqi AmericanYasser Al-Khafaji, 30, at the ripe age of 24 in his hometown, the company has distinguished itself with its commitment to being on the cutting edge of home healthcare technology, as well as a wide variety of services rooted in multiple languages, including Arabic, that allow it to serve a larger pool of customers. 

The business has grown throughout the lower peninsula of Michigan and has even expanded with a location in Altamonte Springs, Florida thanks in large part to these advantages, making Acute a company to watch going forward.

“We’re a service-based company with about 100 employees and we’ve got things in the works to expand and cover the whole state,” said Al-Khafaji, noting pending 2012 additions in Wyandotte and Flint. 

Employing a team of nurses, therapists, and other licensed healthcare professionals offering in-home visits to mostly senior clients, Acute provides a huge variety of services. 

Among them are physical therapy, speech therapy, skilled nursing, nutrition advice through registered dietitians, occupational therapy, cardiac rehabilitation and much more. 

Embracing the diversity of the Metro Detroit area, Acute offers workers capable of speaking Arabic, Farsi, Filipino, Hindi, Polish, Spanish, Urdu and many others, allowing them to bring their advanced technology and caring professionals into many more homes. Arabic in particular is popular in Metro Detroit. Referrals from Arab American doctors in the area are common. 

Al-Khafaji stands with his wife, Yasmin Sabi.

“We’ve loaded up on Arabic-speaking nurses and served many patients that speak 100% Arabic; it is a challenge but as long as you have someone on the staff who speaks it you can communicate well enough to administer the care,” Al-Khafaji said. 

The commitment to a multi-lingual staff came as part of a vision Al-Khafaji had as he began his company, finding various professionals from different backgrounds through “a lot of online ads.” 

The high-tech aspect of the company is yet another way Acute stands out and helps to serve. 

The VAC, or Vacuum Assisted Closure system, is an advanced wound closure system that works by applying localized negative (sub-atmospheric) pressure to promote healing in less time than other systems by removing fluid from the system. 

The Anodyne therapy system is another example of the high-tech solutions offered by Acute, which substantially increases local circulation in order to temporarily reduce pain. The system utilizes highly efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) placed directly on the skin. 

Home monitoring systems are also popular for seniors as is the CARE Medical History bracelet, which is a waterproof wristband worn by mostly seniors containing all relevant medical information that can be plugged into any computer, PC or MAC, at a moment’s notice to help provide the care needed, especially during an emergency. 

“The bracelet is definitely one of the technologies that sets us apart…God forbid someone passes out at home, the bracelet is especially good for dealing with seniors who don’t know what medications they’re on half the time,” Al-Khafaji said. 

The bracelet can also tell, for example, if someone perhaps is a diabetic who forgot to take their insulin along with other possible complications that may arise.  

All of the extra services offered by Acute are free of charge to the customer who is insured, and Medicare as well as a wide variety of insurance plans are accepted.  Many agencies only accept Medicare which has helped Al-Khafaji’s company gain an edge. The company is also Joint Commission accredited, a distinction that is a testament to its quality and expertise.

Al-Khafaji learned of the various new medical technologies through countless hours of research while pursuing a Master’s degree in business at Walsh College. His success is something that he hopes will encourage others to pursue their dreams and to use their own creative instincts and self-motivation to create their own businesses.

He did have an assist from his father, however, who is the owner of SHAN medical equipment, a popular company in the area also managed by his brother that sells various medical supplies. Now, the two have synergistic businesses that complement each other well and allow them to help others. 

The family support system and knowledge base is yet another aspect of Acute that helped it become the wide-ranging, professional entity it is today. 

“Family is definitely a big key, and of course the determination , hard work, and long hours,” Al-Khafaji said. “We always treat our patients with the best possible care as well, patient care has always been number one for us.”