A Place At Home Named Top Low-Cost and Recession-Proof Franchise

FBR Awards A Place At Home

Franchise Business Review’s Independent Research Data Shows Franchisees Are Highly Satisfied with Their Investment in A Place At Home.

In 2022, A Place At Home was identified by independent franchise research firm, Franchise Business Review (FBR), as being one of only 50 franchises to qualify as a Top Low-Cost Franchise. They were also named Top Recession-Proof Franchises.

A Place At Home was co-founded in 2012 by two childhood friends, Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich in Omaha, Nebraska. After several attempts at finding acceptable care for their loved ones, they were unable to meet their needs at the standard they expected. Both were determined to find a solution for others facing similar challenges. The idea for A Place At Home was born: Senior-Focused Care that is comprehensive, consistent, and provides a continuum of care.

After experiencing rapid growth in their Omaha market, they realized they had something innovative. In 2017, they took their Senior-Focused Care model to other communities and the A Place At Home franchise sprouted. A Place At Home is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year with 23 locations coast-to-coast. 

“The FBR survey results reveal our highest ranked areas show our franchisees are highly engaged, respect the brand, and we have a strong franchise community. We believe this shows how strong our roots are which will only allow us to grow stronger over time.”

Dustin Distefano, CEO and Co-Founder of A Place At Home

How the Survey Works

Franchise Business Review provides the only rankings of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. FBR publishes its rankings of top franchises in its annual Guide to Today’s Top Franchises, as well as in quarterly reports throughout the year that rank the top franchises in specific sectors.

Nearly 11,000 franchisees representing over 135 low-cost brands participated in FBR’s franchisee satisfaction survey over 18 months. The brands that were named to the list of the best low-cost franchises to buy had to have high franchisee satisfaction and an investment of under $100,000 at the time their franchisees participated in FBR’s satisfaction survey. 

In addition, more than 32,000 franchisees representing over 300 franchise brands participated in FBR’s franchisee satisfaction survey over 18 months. A Place At Home was one of just 100 franchise brands to be identified as a Top Recession-Proof Franchise award winner and be featured on the list of the best recession-proof businesses to start.

A Place At Home’s franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of our franchise systems, including training and support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity. 

“One of the most common myths around buying a franchise is that it’s too expensive. But what many people don’t know is that there are a number of very solid business opportunities out there that can provide the satisfaction and perks of business ownership but don’t require a huge financial investment,” said Eric Stites, CEO of Franchise Business Review. “For people seeking to be their own boss, the Top 100 Recession-Proof businesses we identified this year not only have outstanding satisfaction among their owners—one of the most important factors to consider before investing in any franchise opportunity—but they have performed well in good times and bad and we feel they hold a strong advantage to outperform their competitors in the years ahead.” 

“We have a proven process in place to ensure we’re vetting franchisees before they join our community. We’ve built an amazing group that not only respects the brand and mission but they also respect each other and want to see everyone succeed.”

Jerod Evanich, President and Co-Founder of A Place At Home

A Place At Home’s survey data showed they outscored the franchise industry and senior services industries in all categories including training and support, leadership, franchise system, core values, franchisee community, financial opportunity, general satisfaction, and self-evaluation.

“APAH does not only talk about their core values but they act on them. They have consistently been there to support me and my location’s growth.”

Anonymous Franchisee

Dustin Distefano credited the positive culture to A Place At Home’s hands-on approach. “Our team of Franchise Business Coaches utilizes standardized benchmarks to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses. This helps them assist in areas the franchisees may need additional coaching in. We’re able to do a pulse check regularly on their engagement with the brand.”

A Place At Home is grateful for this recognition and the amazing franchise community we’ve built. The franchisees continue to remain dedicated to providing compassionate and professional care in their communities despite the challenges they’ve faced head-on these past two years. 

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full list of 2022 Top Franchises. Inquire now to learn more about joining our community of franchisees making a big impact in the lives of seniors.

A Place At Home Awards First Franchise in Ohio

A Place At Home West Chester

A Place At Home (APAH), the leading provider of in-home senior care services, has signed a new franchise location in West Chester, Ohio. The senior care agency will serve seniors in the West Chester community and Hamilton, Middletown, Mason, and surrounding communities.   

Located at 8050 Beckett Center Dr., West Chester, Ohio 45069, the franchise is ready to help APAH continue its mission of helping older adults age in place.

Bringing a unique perspective

The new franchise’s owner brings a unique perspective to senior care services. Originally from Ghana, Africa, the owner says his culture emphasizes caring for your elders. The belief is that a blessing from your elders is a blessing that sustains for all time. His goal is to give back to the community and serve others while creating a legacy of caring for his children to have and continue.

Having worked as a home health aide while in college, he’s seen first-hand the challenges seniors face when they don’t have the care they need. His experience planted the seed that led him to where he is today – providing compassionate, professional care to seniors in his community. He said, “I chose A Place At Home because of their core values of C.A.R.E. – Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical – aligning with my own values.”

Providing personalized care for seniors

When you call A Place At Home – West Chester, you can expect the following:

  • Needs Assessment – We’ll discuss and work with you to learn your concerns, needs, and goals. We’ll make sure you know about any financial benefits available to help offset the cost of care.
  • Personalized Care Plan – We partner with you, your family, and anyone else on your support team to develop a personalized care plan to serve your needs. 
  • Matched with Caregivers – We’ll choose the most qualified, appropriate caregivers based on your care needs and ensure they’re a good match for you and your lifestyle. The level of care they can provide is important, and so is your comfort level with them.
  • Care Monitoring – We’ll receive feedback from your care team to manage any changes in your condition that need to be addressed. You and your family can access that information at any time via our online portal. 

Partnering with seniors and their families

A Place At Home – West Chester will ensure that seniors are well cared for as a true partner with them, their families, and their healthcare team:

  • In-Home Senior Care – Helping seniors live safe, independent lives in their own homes through a wide range of custom in-home care services. Care is directed by a plan created by a qualified professional and delivered by a compassionate team of caregivers.
  • Care Coordination Services – Helping families successfully navigate the often complex healthcare system. Together with seniors and their families, A Place At Home will provide recommendations, referrals, and collaborate with all providers. This includes attending doctor’s appointments, performing household safety assessments, managing medication, and more. A Place At Home serves as both a liaison and an advocate. This ensures that seniors receive the highest level of care.
  • Senior Living Alternatives – If at some point you decide you need to move into a senior living community, A Place At Home is here to help. The legwork is done, simplifying the process while supplying reliable information.
  • Staffing Services – A Place At Home can help provide senior living communities with CNA/CMA staffing.

Getting in touch

To learn more about A Place At Home – West Chester, visit their website. Whether you’re a senior who needs care, a family member, a caregiver, a senior care center that needs staffing assistance, or a potential franchise owner, we’d love to hear from you!

Jerome Philips Awarded Franchisee of the Year by IFA

Jerome Philips IFA Franchisee of the Year

The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Jerome Philips of A Place At Home – South Portland as Franchisee of the Year. Philips was honored at IFA’s 62nd Annual Convention in San Diego, California, for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.

“Franchisee of the Year Awards are the highest honors presented to individual franchisees,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “These local business owners, like Jerome, represent some of the best entrepreneurs in the country. We are proud to recognize his contributions to his community, his employees, and all those he serves.” 

The Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchisees who exemplify at least one of IFA’s “Open for Opportunity” core pillars: Community, Workforce, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Veterans. 

Philips Committed to Change

Philips is passionate about keeping seniors in their homes longer, with a better quality of life. That mission means providing his clients with safe and effective care and ensuring that his caregivers have a safe and inclusive environment with which to provide that service. 

Over the years, Portland has struggled with racial and cultural disparity within its local healthcare system. This has made providing safe and quality care difficult. In the past, clients and other customers have had the option to say they don’t want care provided by someone with an accent or from a particular ethnic background. And healthcare agencies have had the option of accommodating those requests. 

Jerome’s stance on these issues goes beyond how he operates A Place At Home. He’s committed to seeing a change from a higher level. He partnered with the Oregon Healthcare Association (OHCA). Together, they’ve advocated for their caregivers. They’ve had discussions with legislators at a state-level expressing their concerns. “We’re talking to them and giving them very real stories. They really don’t understand what it’s like for our employees.” He is working to break down roadblocks and navigate barriers to lift up the people in his community. Read the complete story here.

Beyond advocating for inclusion, Jerome is the first owner to add an additional office strictly for training his caregivers. His commitment to providing compassionate care with passionate professionals won him Home Care Pulse’s Top Client and Top Caregiver Satisfaction awards. He is passionate about improving his community, building his caregivers up, and creating long-term, quality relationships. On winning the award, Jerome said, “It has been an incredible journey, and couldn’t imagine a better team to guide the ride with. This award is shared with every A Place At Home location, new and old, as they have all provided the mentorship and guidance to improve our processes on a daily basis.”

Franchising Opportunities

A recent IFA study showed that franchising helped lead U.S. economic recovery in 2021, with exceptional job and business growth across all franchising sectors. The industry on average provides higher wages, better benefits, and more leave than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater opportunities to underserved communities and aspiring entrepreneurs, according to Oxford Economics research. Franchisee of the Year recipients are examples of change-makers in the franchising world. If you are interested in learning more about an A Place At Home Franchise opportunity, complete our inquiry form.

A Place At Home Named Franchise Journal Top Brand of 2021

Franchise Journal Top Brands 2021

A Place At Home, an in-home senior care franchise, made some great strides in 2021! Our development team awarded seven new territories expanding to four new states. Five new territories opened their doors and serviced 15,492.34 hours with the support of our experienced operations team. The corporate operations and marketing support team grew by 40%, too. Franchise Journal Magazine recognized our growing brand as one of the Franchise Journal Top Brands for two consecutive years!

Owning your own A Place At Home franchise gives you the opportunity to positively change your life as well as the lives around you. Senior care is one of the most impactful businesses a community can have. This pandemic and recession-proof business gives you the opportunity for recurring revenue and steady demand while providing care and compassion for those who need it most. You don’t need to take our word for it. Visit our YouTube channel for weekly videos from our franchisees about their experiences in opening and operating an in-home senior care franchise.

A Place At Home is positioned for explosive growth in 2022 while celebrating its 10 year anniversary. We hope you join our franchise community for this exciting next year of growth!

Does this sound like something you’d like to be a part of? Reach out to Mitch Benson to start talking about your potential.

A Place At Home Bringing Senior Care Franchise to Illinois

A Place At Home Metro East Owner

A Place At Home, which offers in-home senior care and other services designed to help seniors age in place with dignity and respect, is excited to announce its first franchise in Illinois. The new A Place At Home – Metro East location is at 2105 Vandalia St. (Hwy. 159), Suite 10, Collinsville, IL 62234.

An Impressive Addition to Our Team

Britt Robertson was awarded an A Place At Home senior care franchise because he brings an impressive set of skills, experience, and passion to the business. He earned his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Following his degree, he spent most of his career helping Fortune 500 clients measure and improve their customer experience. This background will help him ensure that his clients at A Place At Home have the best possible experience. He knows how to meet their needs in a professional and caring manner.

For the past 5 years, Britt led the marketing team for a large insurance company. This company was focused on expanding its Medicare Advantage product. He saw the need for seniors to have access to professional, high-quality care allowing them to stay in their homes.

In addition, he has also personally seen the challenges that loved ones face in providing care a senior needs. Everyone tries to do their best, but the situation puts a great deal of strain on everyone. As they struggle to balance the demands of their own lives alongside their loved one’s need for care, they often struggle with determining what type of care is needed and how to get it.

A Partnership Based on Core Values

After researching the best senior care franchise options, Britt decided to partner with A Place At Home. The company’s core values of providing dignified, professional, and compassionate care that helps seniors live as independently as possible at home perfectly match his own beliefs. 

A Place At Home’s core values correspond to the acronym CARE. CARE represents their commitment to being Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical. Each of their franchises operates with these values at the center of everything they do. Furthermore, that enables them to provide the help seniors and their families need during a challenging time.

The need for this kind of care was highlighted through Britt’s conversations with seniors while conducting market research for his previous employer. “Seniors want to stay home, and I want to help them do exactly that,” he explains. “At A Place At Home – Metro East, we strive every day to provide in-home senior care services that help clients feel safe, comfortable, well cared for, respected, and valued.”

To Find Out More

For more information about A Place At Home’s services or becoming a caregiver, visit aplaceathome.com. To learn about becoming a franchisee, inquire now.

New In-Home Care Option Coming to Albuquerque

Albuquerque franchise

A Place At Home, which offers in-home senior care and other services designed to help seniors age with dignity and respect, is pleased to bring a new in-home care option to Albuquerque. We’re opening a new franchise in the Northeast Heights area of Albuquerque at 3620 Wyoming Blvd., Suite 226.

Rachel Wommack, who has served as a Registered Nurse for 14 years – 11 of which have been in Elder Care and Care Management – has been awarded the new Albuquerque franchise. Her years in health care have given her a unique perspective on seniors’ needs and their families’ challenges as they try to ensure the best possible care for their loved ones.

Providing the Highest Level of Care

That’s why Rachel has decided to become an A Place At Home franchisee. She and the Franchise believe that each senior needs and deserves the highest level of individualized care. This enables them to preserve their quality of life. They will have the support they need to remain independent for as long as possible.

“Families need access to exceptional care in order to keep their loved ones in the place they love the most for as long as possible. I want to make the aging process easier for as many people as I can,” she explains.

Thus, she chose to partner with A Place At Home in order to fulfill this mission.

Core Values of being Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical

“This Company represents the values that I believe in. It was started with the same goals in mind: to provide a better service to those who are vulnerable and deserve excellent care,” she explains.

A Place At Home’s core values are expressed through the acronym CARE, which stands for being Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical. We understand that finding the best possible care for yourself or a loved one can be confusing and overwhelming, and we’re here to offer the help you need. Our senior-focused model of care provides a continuum of in-home care, care coordination, community placement, and staffing services. From an initial meeting, assessment, and development of a care plan to monitoring and evaluating the care you or your loved one receives, we’re here for you every step of the way.

A Perfect Fit

Our franchisees have a passion for providing this type of care. Wommack’s professional experience and compassion make her a perfect fit. Jerod Evanich, President and Co-Founder of A Place At Home, is excited to welcome her to the franchise family. He looks forward to seeing her contributions to her new in-home care option in Albuquerque.

“Rachel’s professional experience makes her a perfect addition to our Company. She brings a drive to provide seniors with the highest level of care, and with her passion and determination, is sure to succeed. And equally as important, Rachel lives and embodies our values of being Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical,” Evanich says.

To Find Out More

For more information about our services or becoming a caregiver with us, visit aplaceathome.com. To learn about becoming a franchisee, inquire now.

Franchisee’s Receive Best of Home Care–Employer of Choice Awards

Employer of Choice Award

A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland received the 2021 Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice Award from Home Care Pulse. The Employer of Choice Award is granted only to the top-ranking home care providers, based on caregiver satisfaction scores gathered by Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction research firm for home care. These locations are now ranked among the best employers of in-home caregivers in the region.

“We’re excited to congratulate A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland for their well-deserved achievements on earning the Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice Award,” says Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse. “Since this award is based on employee feedback, it shows the dedication A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland have to providing their employees with a great working experience, while ensuring clients have well-trained, compassionate caregivers.” 

Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice award-winning providers work with Home Care Pulse to gather feedback from their caregivers via live phone interviews each month. Because Home Care Pulse is an independent company, it is able to collect honest and unbiased feedback.

“Our franchisees work hard to keep a positive working culture and this award demonstrates their commitment to our ‘We are CARE‘ philosophy, not only in regards to their clients but also their caregivers.  We are extremely proud that the Omaha and South Portland franchisees were recognized for their dedication to providing excellent in-home care with professional caregivers,” says Dustin Distefano, CEO of A Place At Home Franchise.

“At Home Care Pulse, our mission is to help home care businesses create an experience that goes beyond client and caregiver expectations,” says Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse. “When we see agencies like A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland that have made an effort to provide an outstanding employment experience, we know we’re on the right track. A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland have worked extremely hard to provide high-quality care and employment, and their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. This award allows them to provide proof of quality to potential and new clients and caregivers.” 

A Place At Home Opens First Location in Massachusetts

A Place At Home Franchisee Owners

A Place At Home, the leading provider in in-home senior care services, is bringing in-home care services to its first location in Massachusetts.

APAH’s new location franchisees are a dedicated team of family members passionate and committed to offering the best caregiving services in the Merrimack Valley. This first location in Massachusetts is part of APAH‘s plan to meet the rising demand for such services.

A Place At Home’s New Location

APAH’s new franchise in Merrimack Valley is located at 73 Princeton Street, Suite 308, North Chelmsford, MA 01863. The care team for APAH’s new home includes Gary Lafreniere, Arianna Lafreniere, and their daughter Liv Lafreniere.

Gary steps in with over 20 years of management experience as a founder and COO of a software company recognized for its award-winning customer service. His wife, Arianna, has worked for over 20 years in the finance industry. She has devoted the last ten years to the Home Care industry.

Their daughter, Liv, is very passionate about caregiving. She’s committed to taking it a notch further by studying early childhood development and psychology in college.

The Why

Speaking of why he chose to provide in-home senior care, Gary says, it’s the easiest question you could ever ask him.

“This is personal for my family and when it is personal then you are passionate and driven,” Gary Said.

Nana Lafreniere’s end of life journey and struggle with dementia touched Gary’s family in 2020, and he remembers the countless challenging experiences they went through in the past four years trying to give her the best care they possibly could.

That experience inspired the Lafreniere’s, who unanimously agreed the purpose of their next venture should be to help other families easily navigate similar challenges in the Merrimack Valley area, giving their loved ones better care.

“As a family, we knew the purpose of our next venture was to help other families navigate these challenges by making sure their loved one is comfortable, cared for, and happy,” Gary said.
“The stress you can relieve from a family and loved one by providing the services they need and plan every step of the way is priceless.”

“Making a difference in somebody’s life by caring and being compassionate is the ultimate reward. My wife and I can’t wait to wake up every day and work alongside our caregivers to support and care for those in need,” Gary says.

Why A Place At Home?

Like other care teams who have partnered with APAH before, Gary’s family chose APAH as their new franchise for its team culture and philosophy.

“Reading the literature, watching testimonials, and visiting the website was what piqued my interest in APAH,” Gary said. “First we connected to the management team on a personal level. Next, we spoke to the people who worked for Dustin and Jerod.”

In his own words, Gary says, “There are plenty of competitive franchises. None of them can compare when it comes to the philosophy and the people that stand behind it.” He was explicitly awed by speaking to APAH’s management team, and several franchisees. Right off the bat wanted to be part of the team, bringing the first location to Massachusetts.

“At first, you might think it is all marketing speak. But after talking to the management team, people who work for management, and many franchisees,” Gary said, “I knew APAH was different and we had to be a part of it. Arianna and I then had some heart to heart discussions with other franchisees and our search ended. A Place At Home – Merrimack Valley was our new home.”

About A Place At Home

Founded in 2012 by Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich in Omaha, APAH is dedicated to providing the best in-home senior care services with its strong ‘We Are Care’ philosophy. APAH invites you to join its fast-growing network of franchisees with strong support and training resources.

A Place At Home Signs New Franchise Location in Pennsylvania

A Place At Home - Philadelphia West - Franchisee Dina Jenney

A Place At Home (APAH), an award-winning senior care franchise, has signed a new franchise location in Pennsylvania. The new owners, Dina Jenney and her business partner, are excited to help APAH fulfill its goals of assisting seniors to live comfortable lives in their own homes.

The new franchise location called A Place At Home – Philadelphia West will be at 1055 Westlakes Drive, Suite 300, Berwyn, PA 19312. They will serve the surging demand for in-home senior care services in the area. Jenney and her business partner plan to serve the surrounding communities in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, including the Main Line, King of Prussia, Phoenixville, Exton, and Conshohocken.

Jenney has experience providing home care services for family members. She is passionate about the need for quality care for the senior population. “We have seen firsthand the importance of quality care and the lack of compassionate services available to the senior population,” says Jenney. “Our background coupled with a passion for excellent care will result in quality services to the seniors here.”

Jenney goes on to say that she and her business partner were very impressed by APAH’s CARE philosophy. ‘We are CARE’ stands for Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical. “We researched many agencies. It was clear that A Place At Home is an unmatched level of service and quality. From the founders to everyone on the staff, we know that everyone truly cares about this industry and the seniors we serve. We were especially impressed by the ‘We Are Care’ foundation.”

She goes on to say, “APAH’s ‘We Are Care’ model, coupled with our background and experience of caring for loved ones makes us the perfect combination. In other words, we bring compassionate care and a hard work ethic. Above all, the ‘We Are Care’ model is unparalleled in the industry. It exemplifies everything we want to provide to our clients and team members.”

Jenney comes to APAH with a background in Human Resources, Accounting, and Office Management. This has equipped her with a well-rounded skill set for the operational success of a new franchise.

“Dina brings a high level of energy and passion to the table. This shows us she has what it takes to provide exceptional care to the seniors in her community. We are excited to see them in action,” said Jerod Evanich, President and Co-Founder of A Place At Home.

About A Place At Home

APAH was launched in 2012 in Omaha. The co-founders Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich are passionate about providing compassionate customized care solutions for seniors. The company has since experienced explosive growth resulting in franchises across the country. APAH provides personalized in-home care services specific to the needs of each client.

There are open franchise locations coast to coast for entrepreneurs considering a senior care franchise. Most importantly, when you join this dynamic group as a franchisee you’ll have access to valuable training, business resources, and strong support.

A Place At Home Honors First-Ever National Caregiver of the Year

2020 Caregiver of the Year

The 2020 Caregiver of the Year went the extra mile in providing exceptional care.

 The 2nd Annual A Place At Home Franchise Convention was held in late September. This event marks a time for franchisees to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the past year. This year also marked the first-ever recognition of the National A Place At Home Caregiver of the Year. Franchisee’s submitted nominations from all over the country for one caregiver that went above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to delivering quality care to clients and their families and lives the “We are CARE” philosophy. 

“We received many nominations from all over the country and each one was inspiring. It was difficult to choose just one winner,” said Jerod Evanich, President and Co-Founder of A Place At Home.

However, there was one nomination that painted a detailed picture of how one person went above and beyond the call of duty. The nomination read:

“Dave came on with A Place At Home after decades of working in the insurance business. He wanted to do something more “rewarding” in his 60s. He got his CNA/CMA and began working to make people’s lives better. 

Dave treats all clients like family. He creates a unique bond with each client he works with. He is always on time, never calls out, and makes sure everything is done to his best ability. 

Dave has worked for the past year with a very high acuity client. He instantly bonded with the young client (49) who due to a rare set of circumstances went from a successful businessman to a barely communicative paraplegic overnight. 

He has spent countless hours working as the main caregiver for this client and his family. Not only does he transport the client to his MANY weekly therapy appointments but works one on one with him in his home. Dave is consistently cheering this client on to make his next personal best in his daily bike exercises and always makes notes when a personal best has been reached. 

Dave has worked with therapists at Madonna to learn this client’s individual therapies and continues them at home as well as trains other caregivers working there in how they can help him gain strides. 

When he heard their anniversary was approaching, he took it upon himself to plan a romantic dinner out so the client could surprise his wife. He took the client out to get a card, made reservations at a nice restaurant, planned for a special dessert, and took time out of his off time to transport them over there in the client’s wheelchair van so they could surprise the wife. 

Dave does everything he can to try to relieve some stress off the wife who is also a mother of four and a doctor. Life for her is crazy and Dave makes sure there is always one less thing for her to worry about in his care for the client. Dave’s level of commitment to not only the client but also to our company goes above and beyond anyone I have ever seen.”

Dave walked into A Place At Home – Papillion shortly after they opened their doors in 2019. Dave interviewed for a CNA position and said he was looking for something that would fill his heart. He had retired from insurance and was now searching to do something more meaningful with his time.

“I remember thinking where the heck did this guy fall out of the sky from?” said Rick Perkins, Owner of A Place At Home – Papillion. 

Dave was placed with Don in August of 2019 and the two found an instant connection. They not only share common interests but are also from the same town and attended the same college. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that brought these two together. But citing six degrees of separation,  Dave said, “There are no coincidences. I’m blessed to be a part of Don’s life.”

As blessed as Dave feels, Don and the A Place At Home team consider themselves equally fortunate to have Dave fulfilling his personal mission: to touch as many lives as possible as a caregiver. 

Dave is firm in his belief that you must have a servant’s heart to work in this industry; you must have empathy, and be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s this mindset that awarded Dave Caregiver of the Year. While he was happy to be awarded this honor, it’s his internal compass that drives his actions.

“At the end of the day, I lay my head on my pillow, and I know I made a difference.”