Home Instead Senior Care is the world's leading provider of specialized in-home care and assistance s
We are a locally owned and operated senior care company located in Schenectady, NY. We are also part of a franchise network which includes over 1100 offices world wide. As a local franchise we get the opportunity to work with seniors and their families in our own community. When given the choice most people will choose to remain home, often in the very same home they lived in for many years. When the goal is to remain home and not have to move to a facility; we can help! With services such as:
-Home Helper tasks for helping around the
home.
-Companion Services
-Personal Care Services such as bathing &
toileting.
-Incidental Transportation
-Alzheimer's & Dementia support
-Respite
-Medication Reminders
-Meal Preparation
And more....
10/27/2025
We have no control over diagnosis or decline. What we can control is our acceptance, and that helps us move through caregiving with more ease.
Dr. Lakelyn sits down with Katie Prentiss, an actor, filmmaker, and former caregiver to her mom who lived with frontotemporal dementia.
Katie shares what it was like to care for her mom while raising four kids and running a business, and how she found peace by letting go of control. She also talks about her new film Wake Up Maggie, a love letter to caregivers everywhere. š
Today weāre unpacking the surprising sides of grief, and how to resist the urge to judge it when it shows up differently for others.
Dr. Lakelyn sits down with Katie Prentiss, an actor, filmmaker, and former caregiver to her mom who lived with frontotemporal dementia.
Katie opens up about what it was like to care for her mom while raising four kids and running a business, and how she learned to let go of control and find peace through acceptance. She also shares the heart behind her new film, Wake Up Maggieāa love letter to caregivers everywhere. š
āThereās no do-overs in grief, and so thereās a ton of second guessing in grief.ā ā Lisa Pahl
Itās never easy to talk about death. But avoiding it? That can leave our loved ones with conflict, confusion, and a heavy burden of āwhat ifs.ā
In this episode of , Dr. Lakelyn sits down with hospice social worker and co-creator of The Death Deck, Lisa Pahl to explore the real consequences of not planning ahead.
Starting the conversation now wonāt take away the pain of loss, but it can offer clarity, connection, and peace when it matters most.
Caregiving can feel like chaosāespecially when youāre trying to hold it all together. In this episode, Dr. Lakelyn sits down with Katie Prentiss, an actor, filmmaker, and former caregiver to her mom, who lived with frontotemporal dementia.
Katie shares what it was like to care for her mom while raising four kids and running a business, and how she learned to let go of control and find peace through acceptance. She also talks about her new film, Wake Up Maggieāa love letter to caregivers everywhere.
šø Did you know family caregivers spend an average of $7,000 out of pocket each year, and for long-distance caregivers, it can be even more?
On this episode of Caregiver Chats, Dr. Lakelyn and Certified Financial Planner⢠Danielle Miura talk about the hidden costs of caregiving and why itās so important to plan ahead. From workplace benefits to government resources, knowing your options can help you avoid burnout and protect your financial future.
Caregiving can no longer be a solo act. In this clip from our podcast, guest Jason Resendez shares how important it is to ask for helpāand to offer itāin order to make caregiving more sustainable for everyone, especially sandwich caregivers.
Whether you're caring for both a parent and a child or simply know someone who is, showing up matters. Donāt wait to be asked. A text, a meal, or a short visit can make all the difference.
š§ Hear more from Jason, President & CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, in our latest episode. (Link in bio)
10/03/2025
āAt first, my dadās dementia showed up in small ways. Heād leave the garage door wide open. Heād forget to take his phone with him when he left the house. Little things. Easy to explain awayāuntil they werenāt.ā
Then the emergencies came. Her mom was overwhelmed. Debbie was juggling a demanding job, raising her kids, and trying to make sense of a world that suddenly felt upside down.
She didnāt know what was normal, what was urgent, or where to turn. No one told her what to expect.
They learned the hard way.
So many calls from her mom asking her to come overāand plenty of 911 calls, falls, and difficulty physically helping him in the shower or getting dressed.
And then, outside a grocery store, she saw a sign: āHome Care Assistance.ā
āI didnāt know what that meant. But I knew I needed it.ā
That moment opened the door to careācompassionate people who helped her dad feel safe. Professionals who gave Debbieās family a sense of calm and control again.
That experience changed Debbieās life. It lit a fire in her.
Today, she owns three Home Instead franchises in Arizona. Her mission is deeply personal: to give families the kind of care and guidance she wishes she had earlier.
Because the signs are always there. Families just need someone to help them see them, trust them, and know they donāt have to figure it all out alone.
Home Instead stands for that kind of careācare rooted in empathy, built on trust, and delivered with heart. Debbie knows because she lived it. And now sheās making sure other families donāt have to walk that road alone.
09/29/2025
Charles spent his early years surrounded by books and artifacts, studying archaeology and collecting antiques wherever he could. His home still reflects that passion, lined with treasures from a life spent exploring.
An accident in his thirties, followed by a stroke years later, changed what life looked like. Now in a power chair, Charles depends on daily support. But thanks to Valarie, his longtime Home Instead Care Pro, the world he loves is still within reach.
Valarie helps him hold on to the routines and passions that bring him joy. āHe likes to be read to,ā she says. āI try, but he laughs at me. I cannot pronounce the words.ā Still, she reads. They water the garden together and talk about what to cook. āOne thing he loves is good food, and I can cook,ā she says. āI will say, I will cook you meatloaf and green beans.ā It is a familiar bribe when it is time for a haircut.
Outings take more planning now, but Valarie makes sure they still happen. She arranges rides for trips to antique stores, museums, and the zoo, sometimes bringing her granddaughter along. āWe are going to the zoo next week,ā she says. āI have pictures of all our trips.ā
It is in these small comforts that their connection has grown stronger. Valarie says it best: āWe are here to accommodate them. They are not here to accommodate us.ā
Because with the right care, life does not stop. It keeps going with comfort, joy, and connection. š
Share this story with someone who needs a reminder of the power of care.
09/22/2025
More than 55 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimerās disease and other dementias.
Today, on World Alzheimerās Day, we honor every life touched by this journey ā individuals living with dementia, as well as the caregivers, families, and partners who walk alongside them. š«
Together, we can make a difference. š
Join us in the fight to end Alzheimerās by donating at alz.org.
Looking for extra support? Link in bio to explore our podcast for real stories and resources from the caregiving community. ⤓
09/04/2025
This is why we walk. š
When Michelleās dad, Don, was diagnosed with Alzheimerās at age 69, her familyās world changed forever. Over 10 years, she watched him go from living at home with caregivers to assisted living, and eventually to an Alzheimerās unit before he passed away at age 79.
Earlier this year, dementia touched her family again when Michelleās mom, Sandy, had a stroke and heart attack that rapidly advanced her dementia. Now in memory care, Michelle visits Sandy every evening. Despite these challenges, she finds gratitude: āEven though my mom has changed, Iām still creating memories with her.ā
For Michelle, Walk to End Alzheimerās is about honoring her parents and connecting with others. Each year, she joins her Home Instead team and others in the senior care community to walk not in sadness, but in hope for a cure.
Itās because of passionate people like Michelle that Home Instead, a Walk to End Alzheimerās Gold National Team, has raised nearly $5.5 million over the past 17 years ā including $280,000 just last year ā to advance critical Alzheimerās care, support, and research.
Together with the , weāre fighting for a future without Alzheimerās and all other dementia. Letās make 2025 our most impactful year yet. šŖ
Learn how you can get involved: alz.org/walk š¶š½āāļø
08/04/2025
Weāve cooked up something yummy for our care community. šš Save this refreshing watermelon feta salad recipe for your next meal prep win. Perfect for warm-weather caregiving days!
⨠Bonus: It comes with meaningful conversation starters to help you connect while you share. āØ
Tag us in your photos enjoying it with your loved oneāweād love to see your summer caregiving moments! āļø
08/02/2025
Itās hotter than a pepper sprout out there! š„µ
And while we all might be cranking up the AC, older adults need a little extra care to stay safe and comfortable this season.
Hereās a few summer tips for older loved ones:
š§ Keep drinks flowing ā Hydration is key. Try lemon water, herbal iced tea, or fruit-infused water for a refreshing twist.
šæ Stick to shade ā Morning and evening are best for fresh air. Think porch chats, garden strolls, or birdwatching under a tree.
š Eat the rainbow ā Seasonal foods like berries, melons, cucumbers, and tomatoes are easy, colorful, and packed with nutrients.
š¶ Play their favorite music ā It can lift spirits, stir memories, and create connection in an instant.
š Be present ā Whether itās a phone call, a visit, or simply sitting nearby, your time means more than you know.
Share this post to shine a light on summer safety for older adults. š
07/30/2025
āAs a caregiver, you're always juggling three things: independence, safety, and the third we could describe as like joy or comfort.ā ā Adria Thompson
When you're making decisions on behalf of someone else, the stakes feel higher, and the guilt runs deeper. In this episode of Caregiver Chats, Dr. Lakelyn and Adria unpack the emotional complexity of caregiving and introduce the idea of choosing a priority in the moment.
Whether your loved one is in the early or late stages of dementia, knowing whether to lead with independence, safety, or joy can guide your choicesāand ease some of the pressure. š Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. š§ https://apple.co/3RuALpz
07/29/2025
07/14/2025
What do you say when your child asks, āWhy doesnāt Grandma remember me?ā
If youāre navigating dementia in the family, this quick guide shares 5 ways to help kids stay connected with a grandparent who has memory lossāplus where to find age-appropriate support tools. š
Supporting a loved one with dementia doesnāt require grand gesturesāitās often the smallest, most consistent moments that make the biggest difference.
With the right approach, emotional connection, and trusted in-home care, family caregivers can help their loved ones feel secure, included, and appreciated every day.
Learn more about how to help your loved one with dementia feel valued and connected: https://bit.ly/4nafqQZ
07/09/2025
Ever ask someone with dementia what they think?
āDo you like this shirt?ā āShould I shave my goatee?ā
David Troxel does, and hereās why: when you ask for someoneās opinion, it shows you value them. And for those living with dementia, feeling valued goes a long way.
In this moment, David Troxel shares simple ways to connect through kindness, humor, and everyday activities. Because with dementia care, even 30 seconds of connection can brighten their lives. š§ š
Aging isnāt a journey you have to navigate alone. Home Instead provides customized care plans and trusted caregivers to give you peace of mind.
06/21/2025
Worried that forgetfulness could be more than just aging? š§ Youāre not alone and you donāt have to figure it out alone, either.
Swipe through to learn:
āļø Whatās normal vs. not in memory changes
āļø The habits that help protect brain health
āļø What caregivers can do early on
Caring for someone with memory loss starts with understanding the signsāand knowing where to turn for support. š
This Fatherās Day, go beyond the card and support Dad from heart to brain. š
Here are 5 simple ways to check in on his health: ā
š« Ask about his heart.
āHave you had your blood pressure checked lately?ā
š§ Keep his brain engaged.
āWant to play a game or share a favorite memory?ā
š½ļø Share healthy meals.
āLetās cook something with brain and heart-healthy ingredients.ā
š“ Talk about rest and stress.
āHow are you sleeping these days? Anything weighing on you?ā
š¶āāļø Move together.
āUp for a walk after dinner?ā
Because keeping Dad strong is one of the best gifts you can give. š Share this with someone who loves their dad, too.
Address
650 Franklin Street Suite 301 Schenectady, NY 12305
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We live and work in The Capital Region, so we're invested in our community on a very personal level. And we believe every family in the area deserves individualized in-home senior care with a compassionate touch.
Our own family experience led us to realize many families could use the help of an in-home caregiver. So we established Home Instead Senior CareĀ® of Schenectady and Albany NY to help seniors to live independently at home in our own community. That mission still drives our office today.
As a locally owned business in the Schenectady and Albany NY areasā, we offer friendly, responsive service right in your neighborhood. We're dedicated to making our community a better place to live for seniors and their families. ā
Trusted Care Provider Since 1994
Home Instead Senior Care was originally founded in Omaha, Nebraska in 1994 by Paul and Lori Hogan. Paul's own family experience caring for his grandmother led him to realize many families could use the help of an in-home caregiver. He and Lori set about creating a company to help seniors to live independently at home.
Home Instead, Inc. began franchising in 1995. Today, the Home Instead Senior Care network has grown to include more than 1,000 franchises around the world -- including our offices in Schenectady and Albany NY. While our franchise network is international, our offices are local. And to us, senior in-home care is personal.ā