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Our Story

Co-Founded in 2012 by Two Childhood Friends

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 continuous. After experiencing rapid growth in their Omaha market, they realized they had something innovative. In 2017, they decided to take their Senior-Focused Care model to other communities and the A Place At Home franchise sprouted

A Place At Home’s Roots Grew From Our ‘We are C.A.R.E.’ Philosophy.

This is a commitment to our core values:

Compassionate – We serve with sensitivity and understanding

Accountable – We stand behind everything we do

Respectful – We advocate for mutual trust and consideration

Ethical – We maintain the highest standards and morals

The values are incorporated into every decision A Place At Home makes from the franchise owners we select to the families we serve, employees and caregivers we hire, and the community as a whole.

Our dedication to provide the most compassionate and professional senior care, when and where families need it, and delivered in a manner that is consistent and reliable, means that CARE is the most significant product we offer.

Meet the Co-Founders of A Place At Home

Dustin Distefano, CEO

Jerod Evanich, President

Danielle Sloan

Director of Operations

Operations and Finance Support Specialist Danielle has been a CNA and CMA for almost ten years, and has spent the majority of that time working in the senior care industry. She started at A Place At Home – Omaha as a caregiver, but quickly moved into an administrative position as a Senior Services Coordinator, matching clients and caregivers, then to Office Manager. Her passion for helping seniors continued to allow her to evolve at APAH, and she is now the Operations and Finance Support Specialist for A Place At Home Franchise.

Ashley Myers

Franchise Marketing Director

Ashley serves as the Franchise Marketing Director at A Place At Home, where she leverages extensive experience in digital marketing and content strategy to support franchise owners and drive brand growth. With a background as a Digital Marketing Manager and Director of Content and Strategy, Ashley is dedicated to equipping franchisees with impactful marketing tools to succeed in their local markets. She is equally committed to advancing the A Place At Home franchise as a whole, implementing cohesive strategies that elevate the brand’s visibility and foster sustainable growth across all locations.

Mitch Benson

Franchise Development Manager

Franchise Development Manager Mitch began his sales career early on, working as a retail assistant in musical instrument stores from high school through college. He then developed account management skills in the ecommerce industry before arriving at A Place At Home. His mother’s long career in health care drove Mitch to seek an opportunity that combined his skill set with a passionate industry. As the Franchise Development Coordinator, Mitch guides potential business owners through the Discovery Process and helps determine if A Place At Home is right for them.

Jennifer Axelrod

Performance Business Coach

As a certified franchise executive, Jennifer has dedicated over 13+ years of her career to passionately supporting small business owners in building healthy and profitable enterprises. Throughout her professional journey, she has excelled in sales, marketing, and customer service, leveraging her expertise to drive impressive results. Serving as a Performance Business Coach with A Place At Home Franchise, Jennifer is most passionate about helping franchise owners run healthy, profitable businesses. For her, franchising is not just a job but a calling, and she loves contributing to business growth and the franchising community as a whole. Outside of her professional endeavors, Jennifer prioritizes health and wellness and family.

Shane Thompson

Performance Business Coach

Shane Thompson served as CEO of six Home Instead businesses, with offices in Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, and co-owned the Savannah, GA, franchise, which included Hilton Head, SC, and surrounding areas. With over 30 years of experience in business and non-profits, Shane is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to tackle complex challenges. He excels in business development, growth strategies, and sales leadership, consistently delivering results on time and within budget. His strengths in strategic planning, market penetration, and financial analysis help him exceed organizational goals and foster a strong sales culture. A creative and inspirational leader, Shane effectively manages rapid growth and seizes opportunities in complex environments. Guided by the belief in the value of meaningful work, he is dedicated to making a tangible community impact and upholding core values like Love, Patience, Kindness, Humility, and Honesty in his leadership.

Tiffany Dutcher

Performance Business Coach

Tiffany began her journey in home care right after college, successfully running a Brightstar Home Care location for over eight years. She then transitioned into real estate and consulting, becoming a US Business Coach for Nurse Next Door, and now coaches with A Place at Home. Tiffany's deep love for seniors and caregivers initially drew her to home care, but her true passion lies in mentoring and empowering franchise owners to succeed. With extensive experience in operations and a knack for teaching in-person sales, she’s an invaluable asset. Personally, Tiffany is all about staying active—whether lifting weights or enjoying the outdoors, her competitive spirit drives her to excel in everything she does.