The Business Of Aging, In-Home Care Gives Families Respite In OC

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — Right At Home, the award-winning home care business, has come to South Orange County to fill the gap for families struggling with eldercare. Owners Chad Dollarhide and Ryan Cunrow have a history of working with the elderly of Orange County, and ensuring independence and met on the set of an acting job in Los Angeles.

They found much in common, but mostly, both were caretakers for their ailing parents.

Right At Home's Laguna Niguel owners shared their personal experiences on the pitfalls of caring for both Curnow's paralyzed father, and Dollarhide's mother, suffering Parkinson's.

"I was 12-years-old when my dad was hit by a car while riding his bike," Curnow said. His father was in the bike lane on Pacific Coast Highway when struck. Paralyzed from the chest down, he would never walk again.

Curnow was the part-time caregiver for his father until 2017 when his father died.

"My Dad's dogged perseverance to make the most of his life was deeply inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time," Curnow told us. "The most rewarding thing for me was helping to organize his things or construct some device that let him take care of himself where he could. It was giving him as much freedom back as I could."

Caring for an ailing family member also has its challenges.

Aside from wishing his once-active father could hike or ski with him, frustration was inevitable for both father and son.

"When I would get frustrated with the situation, I would remind myself that he didn't want to be in a chair either."

Having a direct hand in helping his mother, ailing from Parkinson's is a labor of love for Dollarhide.

"Helping a parent, regain and maintain their dignity and independence through providing them love and care on a day to day basis," he said. "On the flip side, there is nothing more emotionally draining and physically difficult than caring for an ailing parent. Watching someone who you've known, loved and respected for your entire life, deteriorate before your very eyes is extremely difficult."

That is where Right At Home can help. Right at Home provides thoroughly vetted and trained caregivers to families that are looking for that much-needed break, respite, for a few days, or even to take over home care.

Right At Home hires local residents and veterans with all levels of experience.

"Experience is preferred, but we offer initial training, including working with one of our seasoned caregivers during a few shifts, for caregivers relatively new to the industry," Dollarhide said. "We also provide ongoing training, with annual requirements, for both veterans and new folks in the industry."

Their business serves Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, San Clemente, Foothill Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, and Dana Point.