An interview with Don Slater, manager of North Coast Home Care, 3535 U.S. Highway 101 N., Gearhart.

Home medical care is a necessity for many. North Coast Home Care is a locally owned and operated retail store with a full line of home medical equipment and supplies. Their commitment is to provide the highest level of professional care possible. They are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and have 24-hour emergency service at (888) 700-5137. Visit their Web site at www.nchc.net

Tell us about this business.

“When going from hospital care to home care, we have everything you can imagine that you might need. We have home safety aids, rehab equipment, respiratory equipment, hospital beds and accessories, everything. We are nationally accredited and we are very proud that we are certified in many areas, to include respiratory therapy. We offer prompt and courteous equipment delivery and pick up in clean, covered vehicles. We give thorough user education on delivery.”

How did you get started in this business?

“I started doing this in Seattle 19 years ago when I came out of the Army. Instead of going back home to Nebraska I took a job as a delivery technician and it just went from there. I joined North Coast Home Care in 2001. I thought this was a pretty cool opportunity. The ownership is the most ethical and caring people I have ever met. My wife quit her job of 14 years so we could move here.”

What do people need most?

“Home oxygen. And sleep apnea has become a major problem. It was a fairly undiagnosed problem until now. Doctors are becoming more educated about the problem.”

Tell us about sleep apnea.

“Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when an obstructed airway causes a person to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. It is not age discriminatory. We have seen a big increase in diagnosis of this over the past 10 years. It affects a person’s quality of life because of disrupted sleep patterns. It can lead to increased risk for heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure. If left untreated it can also increase the risk of motor vehicle and work-related accidents.”

What kind of treatment do you offer for sleep apnea?

“Only a doctor can make a diagnosis and determine treatment options. The most common treatment for patients is continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. These devices produce a flow of air that is delivered through a hose to a mask worn at night. People who begin CPAP treatment are often amazed at how quickly their symptoms are alleviated. Breathing interruptions disappear and sleep patterns return to normal.”

What do these machines cost?

“They range from $1,200 to $1,800. We work with all insurance programs and we will work with the uninsured.”

What is the volume of business here?

“Out of this store alone we cover Clatsop County, the Washington peninsula and Clatskanie. Twenty to 30 percent of the population here needs home care. A lot of baby boomers are moving here. Astoria is the number one place to retire. We expect to see a lot of volume here in the future. We also have stores located in Tillamook, Lincoln City and Newport.”

– Bob Duke