Navigating the world of senior care can feel like juggling a dozen plates – especially when you're part of the sandwich generation in the San Francisco Bay Area, balancing your own family with the needs of aging parents. From Contra Costa to Napa counties, the journey of senior transitions involves significant emotional, financial, and logistical decisions.

That’s why the Simplify Senior Transitions Podcast recently featured Vanessa Valerio, COO and co-owner of Carenddeed, a top-rated home care agency and registered nurse. Vanessa offers a truly unique perspective, not only as a leader but as someone who began her career as a caregiver.

Her Filipina heritage profoundly influences her approach, emphasizing the deep respect for elders that resonates with many families. This conversation is packed with real talk, practical insights, and plenty of heart for anyone exploring options for a parent or spouse.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• The nuanced reality of relationship-centered home care and its challenges.

• Behind-the-scenes struggles home care agencies face, including complex caregiver matching and retention efforts.

• The emotional toll on professional caregivers, highlighting their need for support and recognition.

• Why authenticity and sharing struggles are vital for fostering trust and growth in the care industry—and in life.

• Practical advice for families on interviewing agencies, recognizing quality oversight, and navigating difficult family dynamics or senior resistance.

• Valuable lessons on integrity, self-care, and the unexpected wisdom of letting go—insights applicable to any overwhelming life transition.

The Human Side of Home Care: What Families Don’t Always See

When searching for the perfect home care solution, it’s easy to expect instant results. Vanessa, however, reveals key realities:

• Caregiver matching isn’t instant. It’s a delicate process considering skills, experience, and personality, often requiring some back-and-forth to find the right fit.

• Retention is a quiet battle. With so many opportunities available, agencies must constantly work to train, value, and listen to caregivers to help them feel supported.

• Caregivers carry emotional weight. As a former caregiver herself, Vanessa knows the burnout and grief professionals face while balancing their own lives outside of work. They often lack a safe space to process these struggles.

By understanding this human element, families can gain greater empathy for those who care for their loved ones.

Choosing the Right Home Care Partner: Practical Insights

With so many options, how do you know which home care agency is right? Vanessa shares some must-know advice:

• No wrong questions. Ask everything that makes you feel comfortable when interviewing agencies.

• Look beyond promises. The real test of quality is how caregivers and supervisors respond during emergencies and everyday situations.

• In-person assessments matter. Carenddeed meets families to learn about household dynamics and expectations, and even allows clients to interview caregivers in advance.

• Handle resistance with empathy. When seniors push back, it’s often rooted in fear of losing independence. Open dialogue and reassurance can go a long way.

Beyond the Business: A Heart for Care

For Vanessa, caregiving is more than a business—it’s her purpose. She believes deeply in:

• Authenticity. Sharing struggles, not just successes, builds trust. "There’s no shame in failure," she says—hard times teach strength, wisdom, and compassion.

• Letting go. After a dissolved partnership, she learned the beauty in losses and the gift of moving on. This lesson resonates with families downsizing or selling a beloved home.

• Self-care. Her advice to caregivers and family members alike: “Listen to your body.” Burnout happens, but small pauses and acts of self-love are essential.

• People first. This guiding mantra has been the foundation of Carenddeed’s 15 years of success.

Don’t Go It Alone: Your Next Steps

If you’re feeling overwhelmed navigating senior care options, downsizing, or selling a family home—don’t do it alone. Dale Corpus, your Senior Transition Specialist and Real Estate Expert, is here to guide you.

✅ Schedule a FREE consultation with Dale today: www.simplifyseniortransitions.com
🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode with Vanessa Valerio, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
📲 Connect with Dale directly on Instagram: @soldbydale

P.S. Got news or an amazing story to share? Email us at dale.corpus@exprealty.com and you might be featured in our next episode!

Watch The Podcast Here