A Daughter’s Promise That Sparked a Legacy
When Helga Pfanner’s father became ill, she didn’t start out thinking she would one day run one of New England’s most trusted home care agencies. She simply wanted her father home.
“I was in a totally different line of work,” she recalled. “But when my dad got sick and my mom said she couldn’t bring him home, I knew I had to do something.”
Helga found her father sitting in a rehab hallway, politely eating ice cream from a tiny wooden spoon. “He said, ‘You have to get me out of here. This is the worst hotel I’ve ever been in.’”
So she did. She brought him home, hired help, taught her mother how to manage care, and something extraordinary happened — other families began asking her to help bring their loved ones home too.
By 2005, what began at her kitchen table became CareCo, a licensed home care agency rooted in compassion, professionalism, and family values.
Watch the video below:
Growing from One Home to Many
What started as one client soon grew across several states. Today, CareCo operates in:
Connecticut (Waterford – the original location)
Maine (Sanford, York County)
New Hampshire (Plaistow)
Massachusetts (Worcester County and Peabody)
Rhode Island (Richmond)
Helga smiles when talking about the expansion. “Maine is one of my favorite places. It’s absolutely gorgeous up there,” she said.
After nearly 20 years, CareCo has supported hundreds of clients and families, providing reliable, compassionate care that helps people remain where they most want to be — at home.
How Care Begins: The CareCo Process
When families call CareCo, the experience begins with understanding.
Initial Conversation:
A liaison or care manager listens carefully to what the family needs — not just medically, but personally.Free In-Home Assessment:
A CareCo professional visits the home to evaluate care requirements and lifestyle preferences — “what makes this person happy.”Personalized Care Plan:
The team ensures the right caregiver is matched to each client. “It’s not just about bathing or meals,” Helga explains. “It’s about joy — being home, being comfortable, being happy.”Consistent Communication:
Families are kept informed, caregivers are supported, and CareCo remains ready for the unexpected — every hour of every day.
What Makes CareCo Different
Helga’s model of care was built on three guiding principles that have kept the agency thriving for two decades:
Beyond Basic Care:
“We don’t just make sure people are safe and clean,” Helga says. “We make sure their lives are better.”Real Backup Systems:
CareCo keeps trained CNAs and PCAs on standby in each office, ready to step in when a caregiver calls out.
“Other agencies make 20 phone calls trying to find a replacement. We have people in scrubs, ready to go.”Professional Compassion:
CareCo caregivers are taught to love their clients — professionally. “You can care deeply,” Helga says, “but you must maintain respect and boundaries.”
This blend of heart and structure has led CareCo to cover over 20,000 hours of care weekly — an impressive scale that still feels personal.
Going Above and Beyond
Helga’s team is known for small acts of kindness that make a big difference.
Installing Air Conditioning: During a brutal heatwave, CareCo installed free A/C units in seniors’ homes who couldn’t afford them.
Flower Boxes at the YMCA: They built and donated flower boxes to brighten the community.
Hotel Rescue Operation: During a massive New England snowstorm, CareCo rented out an entire hotel floor to house clients and caregivers safely.
“Sometimes it’s the little things — or big ones — that show people we care,” Helga said.
The Heart of a Caregiver
When hiring, Helga looks for two qualities: heart and punctuality.
“You can train skills, but you can’t train heart,” she explains. “We work in million-dollar homes and in modest apartments. It’s all about matching caregivers to clients who fit together.”
Her team understands that home care is more than a job — it’s a calling.
When Families Resist Help
Helga recalls one memorable case in Maine: a woman who wanted nothing to do with caregivers.
“She kicked us out of the house the first day,” Helga laughed. “Then she took her truck — without a license — and drove five hours north!”
After a few patient attempts and the right caregiver match, the woman now welcomes visits three times a week. “She looks forward to seeing her caregiver,” Helga says. “Sometimes it just takes time, trust, and persistence.”
20 Years Later: Still Home-Focused, Still Human
From a single act of love to a thriving multi-state agency, CareCo’s story is proof that great care begins at home — and with heart.
Helga reflects, “We’ve been through ups and downs, but our mission never changed: to help people live safely and happily where they belong.”
Whether it’s fixing a lift chair, driving through a blizzard, or delivering the right flavor of ice cream, CareCo remains committed to the simple truth Helga learned at her kitchen table —home is everything.
Learn More
Visit CareCo to learn about home care services in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
Call 855-317-9722 for a free in-home assessment.
