Caregiving Journey: Maggie’s Story
From Kitchen Conversations to Lifelong Lessons in Compassion
For Maggie Dunworth, caregiving isn’t just a job — it’s a rhythm, a routine, a relationship. With over seven years at Touching Hearts at Home, Maggie has spent thousands of hours providing not just care, but connection. Her path to caregiving began in an unlikely place: the restaurant world.
“I was ready for a change,” she says. “And I’ve always loved helping the elderly. So I took a chance — and I never looked back.”
A Recipe for Remembrance
One of Maggie’s most treasured memories comes from time spent in the kitchen with a client who has since passed away. Together, they’d cook her favorite Jewish dishes — recipes Maggie still makes to this day.
“Even though she’s been gone for nearly four years,” Maggie shares, “I feel her in the kitchen with me every time I cook those meals. It’s like her legacy lives on in those little moments.”
That simple act — cooking side by side — became more than routine. It became a bond built on trust, joy, and cultural connection.
Letting Clients Lead the Way
Maggie has a beautiful philosophy when it comes to earning trust with new clients: “I remind them they’re still in charge. I’m just here to help.” She knows that accepting help isn’t always easy, especially when it represents a loss of independence. That’s why she takes time to talk, to listen, and to reassure them that caregiving isn’t about taking over — it’s about walking beside them.
It’s this approach that’s allowed Maggie to form deep, meaningful relationships over the years. “Most people are scared of getting older and needing help,” she says. “So I show up with kindness, not pressure.”
Grace in the Hardest Moments
Caregiving also means being there during life’s most vulnerable moments — including the final ones. Maggie has sat bedside, held hands, and offered comfort during a client’s final hours. “Being there when someone passes,” she says quietly, “is when you know you’ve truly made a difference.”
It’s in these quiet, sacred moments that the heart of home care reveals itself.
Life Lessons from Caregiving
Maggie has learned to take life one day at a time — a lesson gifted by the very people she cares for. Working with older adults has also impacted her parenting style and her outlook on aging. “I have more patience with my kids now,” she says. “And I’ve started thinking ahead, setting a plan for my own aging journey. You really see how important that is when you do this work.”
Her advice to new caregivers?
“Have patience. Understand they’re scared — most of the time, they just need to feel safe.”
The Heart of Home Care
If Maggie could share one message with families exploring care options, it would be this: “Home care is about helping people feel safe — right where they belong.”
Whether it’s offering companionship, helping with meals, assisting with daily tasks, or simply being there for a conversation, caregivers like Maggie offer peace of mind — not just to clients, but to their families as well.
