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The story of Compassionate Caregivers didn’t start with a business plan - but with a simple, powerful observation. Its founder, Debbie DeLuca Ely, RN, BBA, a nurse with over 40 years of advanced clinical experience, noticed that the heart was missing from home care. She saw how easily individuals could be reduced to a list of tasks, their personal stories and unique needs fading into the background. “People are not checkboxes,” Debbie says, the passion clear in her voice. “They’re human beings. My business degree did not teach me how to assess a client; my nursing degree did!” This belief was the seed from which Compassionate Caregivers grew. In 2018, Debbie set out to build something different in Central Ohio, a non-medical home care agency with skilled nursing oversight, and commitment to her faith. Debbie readily acknowledges that the Lord is the leader of her business, and she’s committed to honoring him. From the first days of operation (when it was just her and her daughter), to today with an internal team of over 20, they have never missed a Monday morning meeting without prayer for the staff, caregivers, clients, and their families. She envisioned a faith-based business where the highest standards of clinical care would walk hand-in-hand with genuine warmth and respect. Today, that vision is a reality. When families feel overwhelmed by the challenges of a loved one’s health, they turn to Compassionate Caregivers. They find a team that doesn’t just show up to help, but to connect. They find a company built on the radical idea that the best care comes from treating the whole person, not just a check-off list. A Philosophy Built on Human Connection When a caregiver from Compassionate Caregivers steps into a client’s home, they understand they are entering a home filled with memories, routines, and a lifetime of stories. They see the person before them not as a collection of needs or tasks, but as an individual whose history deserves respect, and whose dignity should be honored. This is because at Compassionate Caregivers, they believe caregiving is a relationship, not a transaction. “When we care for someone, we make sure they feel heard and understood,” explains Debbie. “When you provide care in people’s homes, you become part of their lives.” This simple truth is the heartbeat of the entire organization. It guides how caregivers are trained to listen with patience and empathy, and how families are welcomed into a circle of open, trusting communication. It’s the reason so many families stop thinking of Compassionate Caregivers as a service and begin to see them as something more, a compassionate extension of their own family. Debbie will tell new caregivers during orientation just that, “I can teach you any technical skill, but I cannot teach you to have a heart!”
Mobile Legal Services has established a stellar reputation in the legal sector as a fully mobile law firm. Embodying the tagline, “attorneys to your doorstep,” it delivers a full spectrum of trusted, client-focused legal care directly to homes, hospitals, and care facilities at no additional travel cost. The practice is trusted for elder law and estate planning, guiding families with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, while also providing thoughtful Medicaid planning to protect care needs and assets. It also delivers probate law services, managing guardianships, trusts, and estates. Equally impressive is its special needs planning to safeguard the financial and personal well-being of individuals with disabilities through the use of specialized trusts to protect inheritances and gifts. Many services are also offered on a flat-fee basis to ensure transparency with no hidden charges or surprises. By prioritizing accessibility and exceptional client service, the practice transforms complex legal processes into a seamless, stress-free experience for clients across Oakland, Wayne, Southern Macomb, Livingston and Washtenaw counties. It also maintains an office in Novi for those who prefer meeting in a neutral location. Dedicated support staff ensure smooth operations. “Giving every client the time and attention they deserve, we ensure they feel heard and supported,” says Rebecca J. Braun J.D., attorney and founder. The inspiration for Mobile Legal Services arose when Rebecca recognized the distinctive needs of families and individuals facing mobility challenges. With deep industry expertise, she has positioned the practice as a trusted guide in helping clients navigate life’s most important decisions. As a sole practitioner, Rebecca personally leads every client interaction, a commitment reflected in the firm’s consistently glowing reviews, where clients frequently praise her by name.
Tamara Levites, Executive Director
Fairmont Senior Living of Farmington Hills is built on the belief that every senior deserves to live with dignity, purpose and comfort. It creates a community where all residents, including those living with dementia, are welcomed with compassion and empowered to thrive. Its foundation is the Montessori-Inspired Lifestyle, an evidence-based approach that helps residents maintain independence by encouraging meaningful choices, personalized activities and daily routines that reflect individual abilities. Montessori-based activities also support brain function and cognitive health, giving memory care residents opportunities for stimulation and growth. This is complemented by on-site physical and occupational therapy and 24-hour clinical care, ensuring residents receive holistic support. “Our goal is to make every day meaningful, giving residents comfort in an environment that feels like home,” says Tamara Levites, executive director. Guiding this approach is an experienced leadership team with more than 20 years in the senior living field. Their expertise and compassion ensure that every program and care decision supports resident well-being. By fostering a culture of listening and adapting programs to residents and employees alike, they have created a responsive environment that has earned the community the Silver Credential in Montessori-Inspired Lifestyle from the Center for Applied Research in Dementia. Care Centered on Strengths, Identity and Well-Being Families searching for senior living options often face the difficulty of finding communities equipped to manage high-acuity residents. Alongside this, seniors and their loved ones often worry about losing autonomy, purpose and identity in a care environment. The challenge lies in providing not just a safe place to live but a community where seniors, regardless of condition, can remain engaged, valued and respected. Fairmont Senior Living of Farmington Hills was established to address these needs. Each resident’s journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation, whether they are seeking assistance with daily living or living with memory challenges. Assisted living residents receive support with daily needs such as bathing, dressing, medication management or mobility while also benefiting from social engagement and shared meals. For memory care residents, the approach goes further, incorporating an understanding of personal history, routines and cognitive needs.
No single answer works for everyone in elder care. Aging takes many forms. Some older adults need skilled nursing at home. Others need daily support, medication management or guidance in choosing the right assisted living community. As those needs change, support adapts, staying personal and responsive to every stage of life. What families face is not a lack of care options, but a maze of disconnected services that operate in silos. A home health agency may not communicate with the primary care doctor. Insurance coordinators often give conflicting information. Adult children are left making critical decisions in medical crises, under pressure and with incomplete information. Senior Care Solutions and Services shows there is a better way. Its connected care model replaces this fragmentation with one coordinated approach. Instead of offering predetermined services, the team acts as an advocate and care coordinator, drawing on expertise in home care, assisted living, skilled nursing, geriatric care and hospice care. Every conversation begins with a blank page. What does this person need to live well? Where does the family feel confident and where do they need help? “The connected care model brings everything together so we can have honest conversations and truly listen to each person’s needs,” says Ashley DesMarteau, CEO. That clarity changes how choices get made. Some families want to keep a loved one at home and when that truly serves the person’s best interests, the team makes it possible. Care managers work with families to design comprehensive plans, select qualified caregivers and provide ongoing oversight so care adjusts as needs change. Planning, staffing and monitoring stays within one coordinated team, eliminating handoffs between salespeople who make promises and care teams who deliver on them. The thorough assessment process, however, often reveals different needs. Social isolation poses a silent but serious risk for those living alone. While caregivers ensure physical safety and medication compliance, they cannot replace the mental stimulation and social connection from being part of a vibrant community. Many families hold outdated ideas about assisted living, picturing institutional settings rather than today’s communities that offer a more active, socially connected life. The team educates families about realistic options and helps them see past preconceptions.
Home Care
Daniela Vegas-Fox, Assistant Vice President, Trilogy Health Services
Home Care
Amanda Chriswell, President, Legato Living Residential Memory Care
Senior Care Advisory
Laura J. Silverstein, Administrator and Director of Patient Service, True Care Home Care
Home Care
Beth Grigg, Senior Director of Resident Services, LCS
Home Care
Victor Rios, Director of Resident Services, Senior Lifestyle
Home Care
Carrie Petrelli, Director of Activities and Memory Care, Belmont Village Senior Living
Home Care
Miya Morris, Director of Resident Services, Jubilee Housing
Digital Health
John Mulder, Chief Medical Consultant for Hospice and Pallaitive Care, Holland Home
Home Care
Kristen Weitz, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing, Morning Pointe Senior Living
The care industry is evolving from traditional models to person-centered, technology-enhanced approaches that prioritize dignity, personalization, and proactive support for individuals with cognitive decline.
Building the Future Framework of Senior Support
Integrated geriatric care management lies at the center of this shift. Technological platforms and multidisciplinary teams are helping families coordinate their medical, emotional and logistical needs in real-time. In parallel, memory care services are advancing beyond clinical models. Facilities and home-based programs now emphasize sensory engagement, therapeutic design and human connection, recognizing that comfort and familiarity can be as vital as medicine itself.
At home, care providers are redefining independence through professional caregiving supported by training, empathy and technology. Remote monitoring, adaptive equipment and tailored routines are giving families peace of mind while keeping loved ones in familiar surroundings.
Driven by these trends, the elderly care market is expected to reach $19 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9.00 percent.
This edition of Elder Care Review explores how integration, innovation and empathy are shaping the next generation of aging services. It features a thought-provoking article by Daniela Vegas-Fox, Assistant Vice President at Trilogy Health Services and Carrie Petrelli, Director of Activities and Memory Care at Belmont Village Senior Living.
We also bring you leading organizations that deliver excellence in geriatric care, memory, support, legal planning and home-based solutions. A noteworthy story is that of Compassionate Caregivers. This well-established company is Central Ohio’s only ACHC-accredited non-medical home care provider, with no-hour minimums and no long-term contracts.
In this edition, we highlight the leading advancements shaping the future of elder care in 2025, and we hope you gain valuable insights to improve care delivery, strengthen continuity and support the evolving needs of aging communities.