When Strela searched for a caregiver for her mother and grandmother, she was hoping it would go beyond basic care, and the caregiver might also understand their culture and background. She found that in Claire Calma, operations coordinator and caregiver-owner at Vivid Life Home Care. What she didn't expect was that Claire's caregiving went much deeper: She created a strong connection that was tailor-made and built around her mother and grandmother's hobbies, life goals, and their greatest sources of joy and fulfillment.

"Claire provides kind, compassionate care for my mom and grandma. But it goes beyond that. We are Filipino, and Claire offers activities that are culturally meaningful to them and also reminds them of home — going to Filipino restaurants, shopping centers and places of worship," Strela explained. "The smiles we see from my mom and grandma are priceless."

That's because Claire is part of a new model of caregiving that creates person-centered care plans built upon the needs, wants and goals of those who seek Vivid Life Home Care's services. The new model of care also extends to the caregivers themselves. The company is a caregiver-owned cooperative, and they invest deeply in ongoing caregiver training, in addition to matching the caregiver's own interests with their clients.

The result is expert-trained, relationship-based in-home care that thoughtfully matches caregivers with families across Southern California. Vivid Life offers caregivers who speak English, Tagalog and Spanish, making it easier for many families to bond with their caregivers.

"Although we have different Filipino dialects, we understand each other, and speaking in familiar words makes them feel at home," said Claire. "We bond over food, church visits and stories about life back home. Knowing what comforts Strela's mother and grandmother helped me care for them not just physically, but emotionally."

At the heart of Vivid Life's approach is the belief that care is a relationship built on four key areas: 1) expert, holistic care that touches physical, emotional, social and mental well-being; 2) plans designed in partnership with the individuals they support; 3) a collaborative partnership to help families achieve their goals; and 4) ongoing training and support for caregivers.

Quality care begins with a plan

Every family at Vivid Life Home Care begins by creating a Vivid Life Plan, a personalized roadmap that helps each caregiver look beyond their client's daily needs and embrace their hobbies, life goals and sources of joy and fulfillment. Rooted in holistic care and informed by motivational interviewing, the Vivid Life Plan is built collaboratively with clients and families to support their physical, emotional, social and cognitive well-being.

Caregivers are then thoughtfully matched based on each client's background, preferences and unique needs, ensuring that the care feels natural and dignified.

"The plan we developed with Strela helped me understand her mother and grandmother's preferences and sources of joy," said Claire. "Strela provided us with thoughtful details: their favorite foods, activities that make them light up, and small rituals that help them feel seen, safe and respected. I learned how important companionship was to both women. They love conversation, sharing stories, laughing together, eating meals side by side, going to church. All these moments helped them feel comfortable with me and helped us build trust quickly."

Training that builds confidence

Vivid Life Home Care invests deeply in the development of caregivers through Vivid Life Academy, an in-house education program blending the best traditions of caregiving with new models of care informed by cutting-edge science and research. The program was developed in partnership with the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI), Alzheimer's Los Angeles, and Drs. Heather Schickedanz and Geoffrey Gusoff of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

By investing in those who provide care, Vivid Life strengthens the quality of care itself — creating a ripple effect of stability, trust and excellence that benefits caregivers and the families they serve. Through continuous instruction, caregivers expand their expertise, gaining tools, confidence and perspective to meet real-life challenges.

"I didn't expect how much I would grow as a person," Claire said. "Through Vivid Life Academy training — especially the Alzheimer's and dementia workshops — I gained skills and confidence I never had before."

Thanks to expert training, planning and the authentic bond created between caregivers and families, caregivers like Claire build meaningful relationships that help families cope with everyday challenges and create special memories for caregivers and clients alike.

"One of the most special moments for me was when I surprised Strela's mother by staying overnight on her birthday," Claire recalled. "She was going to be alone because her daughter had an overnight work trip. I brought Filipino food, noodles and a cake, and told her, 'I will stay with you tonight so we can celebrate together.' Her whole face lit up. It still warms my heart to remember that moment."

The importance of communication and collaboration

Belonging to a cooperative means Vivid Life Home Care caregivers feel respected and valued, which in turn helps them provide even better care.

"At Vivid Life, we work like a family. Caregivers lean on one another, share knowledge and continue growing their skills with real support behind them," said Claire. "That collaboration helps ensure families always receive consistent, skilled and confident care."

Learn more about meaningful caregiving that provides dignity, authentic connection and joy for your loved one at VividLifeHomeCare.com, or start here for a free care assessment.