(Interim HealthCare’s client list has grown 20 percent year over year, says Daren Lucas (right), shown with Brandon and Patricia Lucas | Photo courtesy of Interim HealthCare)
Between 233,000 and 260,000 veterans live in Oregon, as of 2025, and of those, about 21,000 are in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties — a number that encompasses World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the two Gulf Wars. A significant percentage have a disability.¹
“Given what veterans have done for our country, this is certainly a population that deserves the very best in compassionate and comprehensive care,” said Patricia Lucas, who — with her husband Daren and son Brandon — own the Interim HealthCare franchise serving all of Central Oregon. About 65 percent of their clients are veterans who receive home care benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We specialize in providing professional caregivers (both personal care aides and CNAs) to come into the home of our clients and assist them with maintaining their independence — by helping with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, medication reminders, incidental transportation, running errands, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, change of linens, and driving to doctor appointments,” she explained.
Interim HealthCare also has programs in fall prevention, dementia, and Alzheimer’s care, and offers skilled nursing services as needed, with three RNs on staff.
As CFO, Patricia — who is also executive director of Sunriver/La Pine Economic Development (SLED), handles assessment, marketing, policies and procedures, and payroll for the business. She knows first-hand what veterans can face. “My dad served in combat during World War II, was wounded in action, and received a Purple Heart,” she said.
“When my husband Daren, our son Brandon, and I moved from Michigan to Central Oregon, we saw a definite need we could fill, given the area’s large number of veterans,” continued Lucas. “And representing Interim HealthCare, a national organization with a 60-year track record in providing excellent client satisfaction, really resonated with us. Especially for my son, who has always been a kind and compassionate man with a heart for caring for others — as well as an entrepreneurial mindset.”
Daren Lucas, CEO, spent 20 years in information services with General Motors, with prior work as a management consultant. He and Brandon, COO, handle all operational aspects of the business — including managing clients and employees in the electronic medical record (EMR) system, employee training and scheduling, and billing clients and third-party vendors. In addition, they are available 24/7 to respond to incoming client or caregiver calls. “It’s very data-intensive,” Daren said, or in Patricia’s words, “It’s the heartbeat of the whole operation.”
“None of us anticipated that there would be so much demand for care and caregivers,” agreed the husband-wife team. “Our client list has grown 20 percent year over year since we started the business in 2020,” Daren calculated.
He noted that while the recruiting side was a big challenge initially, “the situation is getting better, and even in the past six months, applications have picked up. The result is a more balanced ratio, as we’re able to hire enough people to meet the quantity of client referrals.” This is also the case in Eugene, where Interim HealthCare recently opened a second office in the state.
In terms of competition, Daren said that “quite a few home care agencies are doing similar things, but because of the great demand for this type of service, there is plenty of work for everyone.”
“A key advantage of the home care business for us as employers,” Daren added, “is being able to provide flexible hours for employees — which is also attractive to the employees themselves, who may only want part-time work or who use this as a second job.”
“It also appeals to those who prefer to have more of a relationship with clients — getting to know and spend time with them — than would be possible in a hospital or assisted living environment,” Patricia said. “Numerous clients say how much they appreciate the kind and compassionate care their caregivers provide. It’s almost like the caregiver becomes ‘part of the family’”.
While the Lucas family has garnered five-star reviews for their efforts, Patricia is especially appreciative of “knowing we’re helping our clients, and making their lives easier, in addition to being able to provide jobs,” she said. “Some of our caregivers have told us that ‘I love working with you, you’re the nicest employer I’ve ever had.’ As employees are our highest priority, that feedback was pretty heartwarming.”
¹U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; U.S. Census Bureau; Central Oregon Health Council
