GOLDEN YEARS Story in Elk Grove
Our Story
Passionate About Seniors
Providing Home Healthcare for 26 Years
Golden Years In-Home Senior Care was founded by Ken and Carrie Ballard. Their passion for providing compassionate quality care for seniors began years ago, when they assisted in the operations of their family’s home care facilities. It was there, they realized their life long calling. Even at a young age, they both knew caring for seniors was what they wanted to do. This was long before home healthcare started to grow.
After assisting in the family care business and learning how best to relate to the needs of seniors, Ken and Carrie took the first step in fulfilling their dream. In 1996 they opened their first state licensed facility, and called it Golden Years Guest Home. Although they had family to go to for advice, the family didn’t help much. “At first it was really tough; our family believes you’ve got to prove you have what it takes to stand on your own two feet.
Thankfully, with my wife at my side, we had four feet. We can laugh now, but we weren’t laughing then. Early on, we had some very difficult cases. As a matter of fact, the first senior we cared was suffering from the effects of bone cancer. We literally had to help this elderly man with all of his daily living needs, 24 hours a day. It was tough, but we loved every minute of it,” recalls Ken.
Our Early Challenges in Senior Healthcare
Ken and Carrie opened their hearts to every senior that knocked on their door, literally reaching out to every senior that asked for their assistance. As new clients came in, Ken and Carrie would get to know them on a personal level. This included determining the seniors care needs, and if possible, helping them rehabilitate. However a growing trend became apparent; adults desiring to have their aging parents and loved ones “age in place” in the comfort and familiarity of home. Senior centers, senior citizen homes, assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities increasingly became less desired. Their environments were seen as institutional, impersonal and highly expensive.
Yet this trend also created new challenges. “How can mom remain at home, with safety and companionship?” “How can I take care of my parents, yet still work and care for my kids at the same time?” These were some of the many questions soon being asked. California and local governments also had to “catch up” with how to address new challenges with this changing legal environment.
In effect, many seniors who came to Golden Years to stay, found themselves going home after rehabilitation. “Every senior we helped get better was so happy. They would tell us how beautiful our home was and how much they appreciated our heart-felt care and then ended up going home,” said Carrie.
