What the Right Home Care Support Looks Like for Older Adults -- and Why It Makes All the Difference

With the U.S. expected to have more adults over the age of 65 than children by 2034, the demand for trusted, compassionate home care is rapidly accelerating. In honor of National Caregivers Day, Home Instead gerontologist and caregiving advocate, Dr. Lakelyn Eichenberger, and Home Instead Care Pro Maureen Walsh joined LifeMinute to talk about the people behind caregiving, and how the right support can make all the difference for older adults and their families. Home Instead provides in-home care for older adults, helping them age safely and comfortably -- with dignity and joy -- in the place they love most: home. For more than 30 years, they've supported families through personalized, relationship-based care delivered by trained Care Pros in communities around the world. Their Care Pros assist with everyday needs like personal care, companionship, meal preparation, mobility support, and specialized care for people living with memory loss or chronic conditions. Home Instead also takes a connected care approach -- combining relationship-based support with technology that provides real-time updates and shared care information, so families stay informed and feel confident, even when they can't be there. Today, Home Instead has more than 650 locations across the U.S. and Canada and over 60,000 Care Pros providing trusted care to families every day. Caregiving is about so much more than completing tasks -- it's about building relationships. Home Instead Care Pros take the time to truly get to know the people they support -- their routines, preferences, personalities, and what brings them comfort and joy. That consistency builds trust in the home. It helps older adults feel safe, respected, and understood day to day. And over time, that steady presence allows the Care Pro to anticipate needs and adapt as those needs change. They also play an important role for families. By stepping in to provide support or respite, Care Pros give family caregivers the chance to simply be a daughter or son again -- to enjoy meaningful time with mom or dad, focused on connection not coordination. That's what makes home care so powerful. When trust grows, the Care Pro often becomes more than a caregiver -- they become an extension of the family. National Caregivers Day is especially meaningful to Home Instead. For nearly 30 years, they've celebrated their Care Pro care of the Year program--honoring care pros who go above and beyond every single day. This year, they honor 10 Care Pros from across the U.S. and Canada, including Maureen. They represent the very best of what care looks like--compassion, skill, reliability, and genuine human connection. When Care Pros feel supported and valued, it shows up in the care they provide and in the lives of the older adults and families they support. Visit homeinstead.com to find a local office and learn more about care options in their area.