Why I Started Holding Both Hands

A Personal Journey to Helping Families Through Elder Care Transitions

When Life Gives You Four Days

Sometimes life gives you four days to do the impossible.

That’s what happened to my siblings and me when we had to move our father across the country—on just four days’ notice. We flew to Nevada on a Monday with no plan, no guidance, and no idea what to do next. By Friday, we were on a plane back to the East Coast, exhausted and praying we’d made the right decisions.

We knew one thing for sure: none of us could bring Dad home. Our houses simply weren’t equipped for his care needs. But beyond that, we were lost. We didn’t know where to turn, what questions to ask, or even what options existed.

Through a maze of mistakes, dead ends, and a few near-disasters, we eventually found him a place to live—literally the next day. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something.

The Hard Lessons

As time went on, Dad’s needs increased. His money was disappearing faster than we could keep up with, and we had to move him again—this time to a more affordable community where, unfortunately, the care wasn’t the same.

Had he lived longer, we knew another move would have been coming once his funds ran out and he’d have to transition to state aid.

Each time he was moved—to a new home, a new facility, or a hospital—his cognition declined. He never fully bounced back. Watching that happen broke my heart and opened my eyes.

The Realization

It became painfully clear - there had to be a better way.

• A way to make informed decisions before the crisis.

• A way to consider not just the immediate needs, but the long-term ones too.

• A way to find the right environment the first time—so our loved ones can settle in, thrive, and stay put.

Families like ours need guidance—someone who can help them see the full picture before making life-changing decisions. Someone who’s been there and understands the emotional, financial, and logistical pieces of the journey.

The Birth of Holding Both Hands

Out of that experience, Holding Both Hands was born.

My mission is simple: to walk beside families who are navigating these overwhelming transitions—to hold their hands through the process (both literally and figuratively).

I help the sandwich generation—those caring for aging parents while managing their own families—find clarity, confidence, and compassion as they make decisions about elder care.

Through personalized consultations and a thoughtful roadmap, I help families evaluate the many variables that go into choosing the right living situation—so they can move forward with peace of mind instead of panic.

Moving Forward Together

Every time I work with a new client, I think of my dad. I think of the confusion, the heartbreak, and the weight of not knowing where to turn. And I’m grateful that now, I can help others avoid those same painful missteps.

Because when it comes to caring for the people who once cared for us, we all deserve a hand to hold.