The Gift of Home | 2nd Family of Marietta

There is something special about returning to a family home for the holidays. The familiar kitchen, decorations brought out year after year and stories shared around the table connect generations. For many older adults, remaining at home means continuing those traditions in the place where so many memories were made.

It is a wish shared by many. In a 2024 AARP survey, 75% of adults age 50 and older said they wanted to remain in their current homes for as long as possible. As families enjoy more years together, it is worth considering what will help them thrive in the places they love. Home offers more than familiarity. It holds the rhythm of a person’s day: a favorite chair in the morning sun, a neighbor who stops to chat, a recipe made from memory. The right support can help preserve those choices and connections.

When the time feels right, families can begin by asking what an older loved one most enjoys about life at home and whether there is anything they wish were easier. Listening to their answers and including them in decisions helps ensure that care reflects the life they want to lead.

For Nick and Megan Peters, co-owners of 2nd Family of Marietta, that need is personal. Like many families raising children while caring for older relatives, they understand how much love and attention both generations deserve. Their own family’s experience with dementia and Alzheimer’s helped shape their commitment to providing compassionate in-home care.

Extra care does not have to begin with a major change. It might mean companionship and help with lunch a few days a week, a ride to an appointment or dependable coverage while a family caregiver takes a break. Even a few hours of support can give family members time to manage other responsibilities or simply recharge.

A little planning can ease the pressure on everyone. Families can talk about who is available to help, where there may be gaps and, most importantly, what their loved one would prefer. Those conversations are often easier when there is time to consider options together rather than waiting until circumstances force a decision.

Local resources can be part of that plan. Families can begin a conversation with 2nd Family of Marietta whether they need help for a short stretch, occasional breaks or a regular schedule. Care can then be adjusted as a loved one’s needs change, allowing support to fit naturally into life at home alongside family, friends and neighbors.

For the Peters, one of the most meaningful changes often happens after a family takes that first step. “Relief, mostly, and the knowledge that they are not doing this alone anymore,” they say. “We know letting someone new into your home takes real trust. After that first visit, we hope they feel confident their loved one is safe, comfortable, and treated with dignity. We also hope they can step back into being a son, daughter, or spouse instead of only a caregiver.”

That peace of mind can protect something equally important: time together as a family. “Our grandparents were involved in our lives and gave us wisdom, love and stability,” the Peters say. “We want our own children to have that same connection for as long as possible. Home is where those moments happen - Sunday afternoons watching football, holiday dinners, grandkids stopping by after school, stories shared in a favorite room.”

For them, helping someone remain safely at home is about more than independence. “We are giving their family more time together in the place that already holds their memories. That is why we see this as a mission rooted in family, not just a business.” This November, there is much to be thankful for in the ordinary moments: a favorite recipe made together, another story told at the table, grandchildren gathering in a home they know by heart. With thoughtful support, families can focus on being together and making new memories in the years ahead.

“2nd Family was an absolute lifesaver when my parents needed extra help at home. They aren’t just a service; they truly stepped in to provide the daily support I couldn’t always be there for. The team was incredibly flexible with our schedule and helped with everything from laundry and meal prep to light cleaning and ensuring the house was well-maintained. They were attentive to my dad’s specific needs and made sure he was comfortable and taken care of every day. Special thank you to Savania, Erica, Kara and Judy.” - Gwen H.

Changes in daily life can be gradual. These signs may be a reason to check in and ask whether an extra helping hand would be welcomed:

Everyday tasks take more effort. Meals, errands or household chores are becoming harder to manage.
Getting around is less easy. Appointments, shopping or favorite activities are missed because transportation is a challenge.
Social time has become scarce. A loved one has fewer chances to see friends or enjoy the activities they love.
Personal routines are changing. Bathing, dressing or moving comfortably around the home takes more effort.
Family members are doing more. Relatives are providing help more often, or a regular caregiver could use a break