A Granddaughter’s Mission: How Caring for My Great-Grandmother Led Me to Home Care Advocacy

The summer of 2020 was a turning point in my life—one that solidified my passion for senior care and reshaped my entire career. It wasn’t just about caregiving anymore; it was about advocacy, dignity, and the undeniable need for change in the way we care for our elderly loved ones.

My great-grandmother, a woman who had spent her life caring for others, found herself in a situation no senior should ever experience. She had been living in a local assisted living facility, Legends at Capital Ridge, where we trusted she would receive the care and respect she deserved. But as COVID-19 swept through the country, exposing cracks in senior care facilities, we realized just how vulnerable she had become.

Neglect Behind Closed Doors

During the height of the pandemic, families were barred from visiting their loved ones, and oversight became nearly impossible. Phone calls were our only lifeline, but even then, something felt off. My great-grandmother had dementia, and without proper supervision, her health was at risk. What we uncovered when we were finally able to intervene was heartbreaking.

She wasn’t being given her medications – essential prescriptions that she depended on to stay stable and healthy.
Her room was left unkempt, despite the fact that she needed assistance keeping her environment clean.
Food was being left in her room—not because she chose to hoard it, but because staff weren’t ensuring that meals were eaten in a safe, sanitary manner. She would pick at old meals, not realizing they had spoiled. The day we moved her, she was severely ill from eating old, rotten food left unattended in her space.

The Battle to Move Her Out

Realizing that her health was deteriorating, we made the difficult decision to move her out and provide care at home. We followed protocol, gave the required 30-day notice, and made arrangements to ensure a smooth transition. But when moving day arrived, we were met with resistance.

The facility staff—despite knowing our plans and having documentation—tried to stop us from taking her home.

They claimed she “wasn’t allowed to move”—an outrageous statement given the written notice and the fact that they were no longer providing adequate care.
They tried to intimidate us into keeping her there, even though her well-being was clearly at risk.
They made it clear that their priority wasn’t my great-grandmother’s health or dignity—it was keeping a paying resident in their facility.

But we refused to back down.

Bringing Her Home: A Life-Changing Decision

The moment we got her out of that facility and into a safe, loving home environment, everything changed. She was surrounded by people who cared, who made sure she ate fresh meals, who managed her medications properly, and who gave her the respect she deserved.

She thrived in those final years—not because of medical miracles, but because of personalized, compassionate care that simply wasn’t being provided where she was before.

For the next three years, she lived her best life at home, surrounded by love.

She danced her days away, moving joyfully to the music she loved.
She played her cherished piano, a treasured possession she had saved for and purchased as a young adult.
She was safe, happy, and thriving in a place that truly felt like home.

She lived to be 83 years old, and every single one of those last years was filled with joy, dignity, and the personalized care she always deserved.

Why Personalized Home Care Matters

I founded my home care business because no family should have to go through what we did. Seniors deserve to be treated with respect, and families deserve peace of mind. Personalized home care isn’t just a service—it’s a lifeline for those who need genuine, compassionate support.

Seniors thrive in familiar environments. Home care allows them to stay in a place they know and love, reducing confusion and anxiety.
Personalized attention ensures safety. Unlike large facilities where staff are stretched thin, home care provides one-on-one support tailored to individual needs.
Dignity should never be negotiable. Every senior deserves to be heard, cared for, and treated with kindness—no exceptions.

Advocating for Change in Senior Care

The reality is that many families don’t know what’s happening behind closed doors in senior living facilities. They trust that their loved ones are safe, only to discover neglect when it’s too late. I share my story not just to raise awareness, but to encourage families to take action.

✔ Ask the hard questions—What are the facility’s care standards? Are they being met?

✔ Visit often and observe—Even in facilities, your presence can make a difference.

✔ Know your loved one’s rights—You don’t have to accept subpar care.

✔ Consider home care as an alternative—A safer, more personalized solution exists.

Closing Thoughts: A Mission Rooted in Love

My great-grandmother’s journey changed everything for me. It turned my passion for care giving into a mission for advocacy, change, and quality home care services that put seniors first.

If you’re facing tough decisions about your loved one’s care, know that you’re not alone. There are options, there is support, and there are people—like me—who are fighting every day to make senior care better.

Want to learn more about how home care can provide the personalized support your loved one needs? Let’s talk. Because every senior deserves more than just care—they deserve dignity.