No place like home
Because nobody ever said, “I want to live in a nursing home.”
With a mission to help seniors age safely at home, Bryan Marn and Julie Dey’s Seniors Helping Seniors pairs mature caregivers with people who need support
Like Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz—there’s no place like home.
As seniors advance through their life journeys, more than ever they appreciate the comfort, security and independence their homes offer.
But as their situations and capabilities change, sometimes gradually, sometimes quickly, families are left bridging the gap between independence and peace of mind.
Bryan Marn and Julie Dey started Seniors Helping Seniors Northeast Ohio last year to answer the call. Through customized, in-home care, the service model pairs senior caregivers with other seniors.
“It’s rewarding to help seniors age at home with independence, grace and dignity,” says Julie. “We offer the full spectrum of supportive, non-medical care, from basic companionship a few hours per week to more intensive, round-the-clock care.”
Care services include safety and fall prevention, medication reminders, long-distance check-ins, daily living needs like getting dressed, running errands, transportation to appointments, companionship, socialization, meal prep, shopping, light housekeeping, yard work, pet care and light handyman jobs.
Social Connection Changes Everything
Within a couple weeks of losing her husband four years ago, 88-year-old Mary Ellen Gilkerson fell and broke her neck. After she returned home, her son Ryan worried about her being able to continue to thrive living alone. Though she didn’t need medical care, when he heard about Seniors Helping Seniors, he thought it made sense to have someone come in to offer companionship and light housekeeping.
“I live 30 minutes away and was concerned about how alone my mom was,” he says. “It seemed like the friends she was having drive her to appointments were not driving anymore. Although we thought about senior care, she’s a combination of stubborn and tough and said the timing was not right. Mom was hesitant at first about meeting Carol. That first day felt like the first day you drop your child off at school.”
After she met her caregiver Carol, everything changed.
“She became much more than a helper,” Ryan says. “When Bryan matched Carol to my mom, he did a great job. They play the piano together—my mom’s career was a music teacher—and chat for hours. They formed an immediate bond of friendship.”
Mary Ellen’s mood lifted and Ryan says he gained peace of mind knowing Carol is there a few hours per week and they are thinking about adding time. She’s even shopping for duet music they can play together.
Rebuilding Strength and Independence
When 77-year-old veteran Nolly McReynolds returned home in March from a difficult medical journey, he required intensive support. A tough bout with Covid landed him in the hospital, then a rehab center, then a skilled nursing facility. Nolly had lost the ability to walk and needed full assistance with nearly every aspect of daily life.
His sisters, Marie and Darlene, knew they couldn’t manage it alone.
“For the first month, he needed 24/7 care,” says Marie. “He wasn’t eating. The caregivers from SHS NEO assisted with everything from mobility to personal care to making meals and providing encouragement. Alongside the team of physical and occupational therapists, they helped him with strength.”
She describes the caregivers as consistent, positive and motivating.
“They were an important part of his recovery,” says Marie. “These caregivers opened up the world again for my brother.”
Today, Nolly continues to gain strength, can walk on his own and enjoys his independence.
Headquartered in Wickliffe, Seniors Helping Seniors serves seniors in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties. The minimum is 2 hours, twice per week, and overnight care is also available. The service accepts long-term care insurance and private pay, and the couple is certified to work with Veterans benefits.
Seniors Helping Seniors NEO
Purpose After Retirement
The core concept behind Seniors Helping Seniors is the ability to offer care from people who share commonalities with the clients. Founders Bryan Marn and Julie Dey say they’ve been fortunate to find local caregivers who are retired from their careers but still looking for purpose in their lives.
“Many of our caregivers want to stay active and aren’t ready to retire,” says Julie. “They are compassionate, empathetic and enjoy connecting with others. In addition to a fulfilling role they play in improving the lives of others, the jobs we offer allow for flexible schedules, as little as a few hours a week, with competitive pay.”
The couple notes that many of their caregivers had careers in health care or senior care.
“Grounded in shared experiences and mutual understanding, they enjoy making a difference in someone’s life,” she adds. “As our business grows, we are welcoming more caregivers to keep up with demand.”
Call 440-494-8156 to learn more.
Free Consultation!
During a Seniors Helping Seniors NEO free consultation, Bryan Marn or Julie Dey will get to know each client, pinpoint their needs, discover their life stories, and perform a fall risk assessment in the home. Call 440-494-8156 to schedule.
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