Heart Health Month & 20 Years of Caring for What Matters Most

February is more than just Heart Health Month. It’s a meaningful moment to reflect on longevity. As the concierge division of a homecare agency proudly celebrating 20 years of delivering exceptional service, we don’t just talk about longevity; it’s something we live everyday -- personally, professionally, and alongside the clients and families we serve.

Reaching two decades in this industry took intention, resilience, and heart. The same qualities are required to protect one of ourmost vital organs. Heart health, much like long-term success and aging well,doesn’t happen by accident. It takes work, care, dedication, and consistent attention.

Longevity Is a Shared Goal

In homecare, longevity means helping people live safely, comfortably, and with dignity in their own homes for as long as possible. Froman organizational perspective, it means staying true to our mission, investingin people, and showing up, year after year, for our community. And from anindividual standpoint, longevity begins with caring for the heart.

Over the past 20 years, two of our co-founders, Diane Sirakovsky and Michele Teter, have witnessed firsthand how cardiovascularhealth can shape a client’s quality of life and how the right support at theright time can make all the difference.

Stories That Shaped Our Mission

Client Story:

We had the honor of caring for “Bob,” an elderly gentleman living with advanced congestive heart failure over the course of five years. When he firstcame to us, Bob’s palliative team estimated a prognosis of just six months.Through the close collaboration of his cardiology team and our highly skilled,cardiac-trained private duty nurses, subtle changes were recognized early andaddressed quickly. With daily monitoring, thoughtful medication adjustments,and attentive hands-on care, Bob was able to remain comfortable and stable athome, avoiding repeated hospitalizations. Against all expectations, he went onto live five meaningful years, surrounded by family and enjoying a quality oflife he deeply cherished.

Client Story:

During a routine visit with client “Sam,” our nurse noticed mild confusion and dizziness; insignificant changes that could have easily been missed. Trusting her clinical instincts, she advocated for further testing, which revealed a critical 90% blockage in his left carotid artery. Sam was promptly treated with a carotid endarterectomy, restoring healthy blood flow. Catching this early likely prevented a devastating stroke and gave him the chance to continue living independently and safely.

Client Story:

“Joseph” was an elderly gentleman who was fully cognitively intact and, aside from advanced congestive heart failure, in good overall health. When our involvement began, he was transitioning home after a hospital stay and was eager to get back to living his life. At that time, he was at elevated risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Joseph was supported with a wearable defibrillator and continuous care from experienced ICU-trained nurses. Through close coordination with his cardiology team, careful daily monitoring, and gentle encouragement, his strength gradually returned. With optimized medications and consistent support, Joseph’s heart function improved, and he was able to resume what mattered most, traveling with family, celebrating milestones, and honoring a long-held project shared with his late wife. Our care didn’t just extend his life; it helped him genuinely enjoy it.

These experiences reinforce why heart health awareness, especially at home, is so critical. Often, the earliest signs appear quietly, and having trained caregivers, attentive family members, or simple monitoring tool scan be lifesaving.

Heart Warning Signs at Home: Know When to Call for Help.

Men and women can experience heart symptoms differently, and recognizing those differences is important. Men more commonly report chestpressure or pain that may radiate to the left arm, while women may experiencesubtler symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, unusual fatigue, or painin the jaw or back, sometimes without any chest pain at all. Being aware ofthese variations can help prevent delays in seeking care and lead to earlierlife-saving treatment.

Call 911 immediately if you notice:

• Chest discomfort
  Pressure, squeezing, or pain that spreads to the arm, jaw, neck, or back
• Chest pain lasting more than 10 minutes
  Or pain that does not improve with rest
• Shortness of breath
  Sudden, severe, or occurring at rest
• Other concerning signs
  Cold sweats, confusion, bluish lips or skin, or extreme fatigue

A Final Word: Don’t Neglect the Heart

As we celebrate Heart Health Month and honor 20 years of service, one message stands clear: longevity is intentional. Whether building a company, caring for a loved one, or protecting your own health, the heart deserves daily attention.

At home, in our communities, and in our work, caring for the heart is caring for the future. Let February be a reminder, not just for this month, but for the years ahead, to stay informed, stay proactive, and never ignore what your heart is telling you.

Here’s to many more years of caring, connection, and heart. ❤️