Giving Back Where We Live: Why Community Service Matters in Senior Care

Home Care believes senior care organizations have a responsibility to help support them.

That belief shows up in many ways. Recently, Hillendale hosted a virtual blood drive during National Blood Donation Month to help address critical blood shortages and support community health. Efforts like this reflect our philosophy that care does not stop at the front door of our clients’ homes. It extends outward into the neighborhoods and systems that help people stay healthy, nourished, and connected.

Community service is not just something Hillendale encourages. It is something our leadership lives.

A Leader Rooted in Service: Francesca Vogel

For Hillendale Director of Home Care, Francesca Vogel, giving back has always been a central part of her life and career.

Born and raised in the East Bay, Francesca has spent more than three decades working in senior care. She began her healthcare journey early and went on to become an LVN, a cardiovascular technician, a hospice leader, and a care management advocate. Throughout her career, her focus has remained the same: supporting people with compassion, dignity, and respect.

That commitment extends well beyond her professional work and into the broader community she has long called home.

Supporting Seniors Through Community-Based Solutions

Francesca is proud to be newly appointed to the board of White Pony Express, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity across Contra Costa County by rescuing surplus food and delivering it to individuals and families in need.

Food insecurity is an often overlooked challenge among older adults, many of whom live on fixed incomes or face barriers to accessing fresh, nutritious meals. White Pony Express plays a critical role in supporting seniors by ensuring that high-quality food reaches community organizations and programs serving vulnerable populations.

For Francesca, serving on the board is a natural extension of her work in senior care. Supporting access to food is fundamental to supporting health, independence, and dignity as people age. Her involvement reflects a belief that caring for seniors means addressing the full picture of well-being, not just the care that happens inside the home.

The Power of Human and Animal Connection

Another meaningful way Francesca gives back is through pet therapy.

She regularly volunteers with certified therapy animals, visiting senior communities and care settings to provide comfort, companionship, and emotional support. These visits offer moments of connection for individuals who may be experiencing isolation, illness, or major life transitions.

The presence of therapy animals can help reduce stress, foster calm, and create meaningful interactions. This focus on emotional well-being and human connection mirrors Hillendale’s own approach to care, which values the whole person, not just physical needs.

Stewardship of the Community We Share

Francesca is also actively involved with Save Mount Diablo, supporting conservation efforts that protect the natural landscapes of Contra Costa County.

Access to outdoor spaces, movement, and connection to nature all play an important role in physical and emotional health, particularly as people age. By helping preserve these environments, Francesca contributes to the long-term well-being of the community and the generations who will continue to call it home.

Bringing Music and Connection to Our Senior Community

Recently, residents had the joy of welcoming Skylar Wondrusch, a singer who has been visiting senior living communities with the support of Francesca Vogel and the Hillendale team. Skylar’s performances create moments of connection, comfort, and joy, offering residents a chance to engage through music in a way that feels familiar and uplifting.

These visits reflect something we believe deeply at Hillendale: care extends beyond daily support. Meaningful experiences, creative expression, and human connection all play an important role in emotional well-being as we age. Supporting community-based programs like Skylar’s performances is one of the ways we continue to show up for seniors, both inside and outside the home.

Service That Shapes the Way We Care

Leadership sets the tone for an organization. Francesca and the rest of the team’s commitment to service, whether through food access, animal-assisted support, environmental stewardship, or healthcare advocacy, influences how Hillendale supports families every day.

Senior care does not exist in isolation. Older adults are affected by access to nutrition, social connection, safe environments, and strong community networks. When these systems are supported, care becomes more effective and compassionate.

Why Giving Back Matters

When senior care organizations invest in their communities, the impact extends beyond individual services. Families feel supported, caregivers feel connected to a greater purpose, and seniors remain part of a compassionate and engaged network.

At Hillendale Home Care, giving back where we live is not a campaign or a checkbox. It is part of how we define care.