Because Every Senior Deserves the Right Place to Call Home

About Us

My name is Ruthie Barkus, I am a Bachelors prepared Registered Nurse, Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified End of Life Doula, Certified Aligned Care Specialist and Certified Placement and Referral Specialist. My background is in telemetry, neurology, hospice, and geriatrics. When I graduated nursing school a few decades ago, I wanted to be a Neonatal RN. Yet when you graduate, most of the time your recruiters will encourage you to go spend some time either on Med/ Surg or Telemetry Units. One could say that I never found my way back to the NICU. Today, I will tell you that working with the senior population is my calling. The two populations have some similarities, they are both very vulnerable populations, that need help, someone to depend on. I have many life experiences that have prepared me for this career over the years. I am an open book, and if my experiences can help you navigate the situation you currently find yourself in. then it gives me the satisfaction that those difficult days I've experienced will allow me to help someone else. I have been the nurse , the wife, the caregiver, the mom, the taxi cab, the vet, the claaning lady, the grocer, the laundress. Years ago, my mother in law suffered a major stroke and was left paralyzed on her left side and had a PEG tube. After all of her therapy had concluded. as a family we had to make a decision. Find a long term care bed in a nursing home, move her back to her bi - level home, or bring her home to live with us. We choose the latter. At that time , I worked at the hospital, , my husband traveled, I was raising 4 kids, and 2 German shepherd puppies. I had no idea I would have to incorporate nurses, CNA's, Physical therapists,Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, and the bi weekly spiritual visits from the church into my already busy schedule. It was a lot, but I don't regret it. A few years after my mother in law passed , my mother was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. She lived with us for 5 years. I often found myself questioning whether the physical labor of caring for a paralyzed person was easier than a mobil parent with dementia. The jury is still out on this. Anyway, I cared for our moms, and I know that not everyone can do this, so that is why I decided to get into this business 9 years ago. People need help. I didn't get help, I didn't ask for it either. Even being in the medical field I did not know what resources were available to us,. Working with seniors has been so rewarding. I believe that every single one of us has a purpose until we draw our last breathe. For the aging population, it is the desire to continue to contribute, to share wisdom to the younger populations, to find a purpose, rather than feeling disconnected or stagnant. I want to help them do that. As for my interests, and hobbies, I like to find new things to learn in our constantly evolving healthcare system. I have four daughters, 2 grandchildren and another on the way. I also enjoy swimming, boating, and spending time with family, friends and my pups!