The Abby Services Story
Meet the Team Behind Abby Services
A family-owned Nurse Registry based right here in Fort Myers, licensed by AHCA and serving Southwest Florida families since 1997. Get to know the local team behind every caregiver referral.
Every referral is handled by our real Fort Myers office and team—not a call center.
The Story Behind Abby Services
Abby Services is a family-owned and operated Nurse Registry. We are based in Fort Myers, Florida, and are licensed and overseen by the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA). Abby Services was founded by Tom Strachan in 1997 after recognizing a local need for quality, cost-effective, in-home care in the Fort Myers area. We specialize in the screening, credentialing, and referral of safe, qualified caregivers. Our services can help anyone live safely, comfortably, and independently for as long as they like by helping them find the perfect caregiver.
At Abby Services we believe that the consumer who elects to privately pay for their own or family member’s care has the right to assess their own care needs, make decisions about how they want their care delivered, select the person who will deliver that care, and choose how, when, and where that care will be delivered.
The name actually came about due to a misunderstanding. When originally developing his business plan Tom was listening to the popular Beatles album “Abbey Road”. Tom mistakenly thought the album was called “Abby Rose”. In a moment of clarity, it came to him. A yellow rose symbolizes friendship, it would be the perfect logo for a new In-Home Caregiver service called Abby Services, and as they say, the rest is history
How Abby Services Works
At its simplest, Abby Services helps seniors in Fort Myers and Cape Coral remain safe and independent in their homes by referring the best in-home caregivers in Southwest Florida.
Some have compared Abby Services to a Matchmaking Service.
We have a pool of local qualified caregivers who meet the requirements established by our State Department Of Health and AHCA. When you call and provide us with details about your specific situation we work to match you with an available in-home caregiver who can meet your specific needs. This is similar to a matchmaking service.
What if your referred caregiver is not a good fit?
Following the matchmaking analogy, most people don't marry the first person they date. The same may be true for the caregiver we refer to you. If your caregiver doesn't work out, you can always request a different individual.
We strive to match you with a caregiver who meets your needs. However, sometimes a referred caregiver just isn't a good fit. In this case, we encourage all clients to allow the caregiver the opportunity to assist them throughout the requested shift. This allows them and you the opportunity to learn what your needs are and strive to meet those needs. If at the end of the shift you still want a replacement, just let us know.
A prime way to avoid this situation is to establish expectations in advance to help us match you with the perfect in-home caregiver. By establishing expectations we can share with a caregiver the type of support you are seeking and they can decide if they are a good fit for you.
With any issues, we can do one of 2 things.
- We can share your concerns with your caregiver to give them an opportunity to correct the issues you have.
- You can request we find another caregiver. We will take your input and work to find a better match.
Long-term solutions or short-term needs
Our goal is to help you find a caregiver who meets your needs and is a good fit. We have clients who have worked together with Abby Services, and the in-home caregivers we have referred, for years. We also recognize that some patients simply need a little help for 1 day, 1 week or 1 month. Whatever your needs we can help to find a private in-home caregiver who can help keep you independent and in your home, with the care and support you need.
Meet the Team
Scott Strachan | Owner
A Legacy of Care: Honoring Our Founder, Tom Strachan
At Abby Services, we believe that great care starts with great people — and for us, that began with John “Tom” Strachan, our founder.
Tom started Abby Services in 1997 with a simple but powerful goal: to make it easier for families to find dependable, compassionate caregivers. After decades working in senior care, he saw firsthand the difference that personalized, consistent support could make in someone’s life — and he knew our community needed more of it. So he built Abby Services from the ground up, focused not on profits or quick fixes, but on honesty, fairness, and real human connection.
Nearly 30 years later, those values still guide everything we do.
Tom wasn’t just a founder — he was a listener, a problem-solver, and someone who treated everyone with dignity and respect. Whether you were a caregiver, a client, or a family member, he made time for you. His quiet leadership and deep belief in doing the right thing set the tone for what Abby Services has become.
Tom passed away in 2024 after a long and courageous journey with Parkinson’s and dementia. His legacy lives on in the trust families place in us every day, and in the dedication of the caregivers we support. Abby Services is still family-owned and operated — and still grounded in the mission Tom started: connecting people to care they can count on.
To every caregiver and every client who continues to walk this path with us — thank you. You are part of Tom’s legacy.
Colleen Meyers | Referral Coordinator
Colleen Meyers is often the friendly voice you hear when calling Abby Services. She joined our team in 2023 and quickly became an essential part of our day-to-day operations. As Referral Coordinator, Colleen helps keep Abby Services — and the patients and caregivers we work with — organized, supported, and well-connected.
Originally from New Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia, Colleen enjoys the unique opportunity South Florida offers to serve seniors from all over the country, including many from her home state. She brings a calm, thoughtful presence to every conversation and plays a key role in helping clients get the information and support they need when they need it most.
Outside of work, Colleen is a proud grandmother of four and cherishes every moment spent with her growing family. Her dedication, warmth, and attention to detail make her a valued part of the Abby Services team.
Why families choose Abby Services
Local since 1997
Nearly three decades of referring caregivers throughout Lee & Collier County.
Screened & experienced
We refer trained, background-screened caregivers — and help you direct their care.
Nurse-guided care plans
Our registered nurse helps you build a care plan around your loved one's actual needs, then helps you adjust it as those needs change.