Kerry Stewart, Founder & Managing Consultant

When I first entered this industry, I had the opportunity to meet with one of its revered leaders. He posed a poignant question, asking why I was drawn to working with mature adults and the families supporting them. Then, he uttered words that struck a chord: "People don't just end up here because there is no money in newspapers." His words resonated deeply, prompting me to reflect on my own grandmother's journey. Witnessing her transition from mild cognitive impairment to end-stage Alzheimer's, and losing her battle around the time I was entering this field, had a profound impact on me. It was the experience of my family supporting her that filled me with the confidence to aid others facing similar challenges – whether it's the daunting process of moving from the family home to a retirement facility or navigating the tumultuous waters of an unexpected health event that alters lives irrevocably, the responsibility I feel in guiding individuals and families through these pivotal moments is profound. It's my unwavering commitment to providing support, guidance, and compassion to those facing such critical transitions that drives me forward each day. This isn't just a profession – it's a deeply personal and profound calling.

Having spent nearly a decade in various roles, including executive director and lifestyle consultant in retirement, assisted living, and long-term care I gained invaluable insights into the challenges families face during these critical transitions. I came to realize that by the time people arrived to me, they were already incredibly stressed, with no proactive approach in place and little intervention when the crisis began. The "drop and go" phenomenon became all too common, as families would simply leave their loved ones and depart as fast as they could. While this may sound disheartening, we understood that they were often at their most exhausted and overwhelmed, trying to manage kids, work, and a health crisis with their parent(s). As balance restored, I found myself counselling families through their insurmountable guilt. It was after innumerable heart-wrenching experiences with burnt out family members, that I envisioned meeting and supporting families at a much earlier stage – before they had hit critical mass and began depleting their emotional and physical resources,  and before their family dynamics descended into further stress and before the communication breakdown produced irreparable damage to the family, long term.

It was this realization and the imprint of the incredible people that I worked alongside that inspired the inception of Plush Valet Health and Crisis Management. I recognized the need for a service that proactively supported families before they reached a breaking point. Plush Valet was born from the vision of providing comprehensive crisis management support for aging adults and their families, guiding them through the complexities of the healthcare system while maintaining balance amid shifting family dynamics. We have tailored services to offer a vital lifeline to those navigating the challenges of elder care, ensuring that they can embark on this journey with confidence and peace of mind.