Families caring for an aging parent rarely struggle because information is unavailable; they struggle because it is fragmented across too many providers and online resources. Coordinating multiple stakeholders while making emotionally charged decisions can quickly leave families overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. How to Help Mom (HTHM) serves as a steady guide through every stage of the senior care journey. It begins by understanding each family’s situation before bringing together a trusted circle of vetted professionals—including attorneys, financial advisors, real estate professionals and movers—to help families move forward with confidence. “We help families navigate overwhelming situations by guiding them through the entire journey,” says Sara Ston, owner. While working as a special education teacher and real estate professional, Ston repeatedly saw families reach the hardest moments of aging without one steady person to help them through. “I built HTHM because I wished families had a trusted resource to turn to, so they wouldn’t have to face these difficult transitions alone,” says Ston.

Families supporting an aging loved one often want to nurture two important parts of everyday life: staying close through calls and shared photos and helping the older adult remain mentally, socially and physically engaged. When separate devices, applications and services support those needs, CareLink360 sees an opportunity to make the experience easier and more connected. Through its Digital Health Companion, a 15-inch touchscreen device designed for older adults, it brings family communication, engagement and wellness support into one secure system. A companion app helps relatives stay involved remotely, while the device replaces a patchwork of tools with a simpler experience that older adults can navigate and families can rely on as care needs change. “Families don’t have to become the IT person for their loved ones,” says Paula Muller, founder. Many families come to CareLink360 after trying consumer technology. Smartphones, tablets and smart speakers can work well until an older adult forgets how to find an application, misses a call, leaves a device uncharged or becomes confused after an operating system change. CareLink360 is based on the premise that technology should adapt to older adults. The device remains on, with family photos appearing by default. There is no keyboard, username or password for the older adult to manage. Approved relatives use the companion app to initiate a video visit, allowing their faces to appear on the screen without requiring mom or dad to answer. Older adults can also reach family members simply by touching their faces on the screen. Louder speakers and the larger screen reflect the same attention to real-world aging needs. Even as the toolkit expands, simplicity remains CareLink360’s test for what it introduces. Once connected to power and WiFi, the device is ready to use. Paula describes a device shipped to an older adult in Texas while her daughter lived in California. With local help connecting it to Wi-Fi, they could be face-to-face within minutes.

The realization that a parent or relative can no longer live independently brings a flood of difficult decisions. Questions about medical needs, legal paperwork, financial resources, and housing arise all at once. But who can families turn to when every option feels overwhelming? Different facilities offer different resources and services, but none offer them all. This gap leaves many families stuck, uncertain about the best course of action. The Marketing Busters saw the need for a better solution. The company connects seniors and their families with the right senior resources—including medical, legal, financial, and housing services—under one umbrella. This integrated approach allows families to find everything they need without jumping between different professionals. Unlike traditional placement agencies that match seniors with care homes based solely on availability, The Marketing Busters tailors placements to meet medical needs, affordability, and personal preferences. Its clinical team evaluates each senior’s condition, ensuring that care recommendations are based on medical expertise rather than guesswork. “Our placements are built on three components—care, location, and budget. We’re one of the few agencies of our kind partnered with major hospitals like Kaiser Permanente and Loma Linda,” says Michelle Magee, owner of The Marketing Busters. While securing the right care is essential, financial and legal barriers often stand in the way. Many families struggle with power of attorney, conservatorships, and Medicaid eligibility, making The Marketing Busters’ Law Busters division a critical resource. Real estate concerns add another layer of stress. A home sale may be necessary to fund long-term care, but delays in selling a property can create financial strain. Through its Realtor Busters division, the company ensures that seniors have the resources they need—even offering financial support while families wait for a home sale to close. One case that demonstrates the impact of this model involves a woman who lived alone with dementia and was hospitalized after years of unnoticed decline. With no immediate family available, a distant nephew was located. However, securing legal authority for him to act on her behalf would have taken 12 to 18 months under normal circumstances, leaving her stuck in the system with no clear path forward. The Marketing Busters fast-tracked the legal process, securing conservatorship in record time. The company covered her care costs for four months while legal matters were finalized, ensuring she received the attention she needed without delay. Today, she lives comfortably in a memory care community, supported by a trust set up through the company’s legal services.