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Exploring Life & Business with Erica Kanjan of Young at Heart Home Care

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Kanjan.

Hi Erica , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into home care is deeply personal and intentionally strategic.

On a personal level, my grandparents played a defining role in my life. Watching them age made me acutely aware of how vulnerable even the strongest people become when care systems are fragmented, impersonal, or reactive. They deserved care that preserved their dignity, independence, and emotional well being, not just basic task completion. That experience stayed with me and shaped my belief that aging at home should be supported with intention, compassion, and accountability. It is where my emotional commitment to this work was born.

Professionally, my background is rooted in healthcare, technology, and business development. Prior to founding Young At Heart Home Care, I spent years in medical technology and healthcare sales, working alongside hospitals, physicians, and executive leadership to implement advanced clinical solutions. That experience taught me how to build scalable systems, measure outcomes, and lead with both data and discipline. It also exposed me to the gaps that exist once patients leave a clinical setting and return home, where oversight often disappears.

I started Young At Heart Home Care to bridge that gap.

From the beginning, my vision was to build a concierge level, private pay home care company that operates with the same level of rigor, transparency, and innovation as leading healthcare organizations, while never losing the human touch. We intentionally operate differently by remaining selective, prioritizing experienced caregivers, and integrating technology through our YAH360CARE wellness system to track safety, physical health, cognitive engagement, nutrition, emotional well being, and family connection in real time.

Today, we serve families across South Florida with a model that blends compassionate caregiving, intelligent insight, and leadership oversight. What began as a deeply personal mission has evolved into a purpose driven organization designed to elevate the standard of care at home, ensuring families receive not just support, but peace of mind.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, and I do not believe meaningful businesses ever are.

One of the earliest challenges was building a company that intentionally chose quality over volume in an industry that often rewards speed and scale. Remaining selective with caregivers, maintaining high standards, and refusing to grow faster than our ability to oversee care required discipline, patience, and at times, saying no to opportunities that did not align with our values.

Another major challenge was designing systems that could support both compassionate care and measurable accountability. Home care has traditionally relied on manual processes and fragmented communication. Introducing structure, data, and technology into a relationship driven industry required education, trust building, and continuous refinement. It meant bridging the emotional needs of families with the operational rigor of healthcare systems.

As a founder, there were also personal challenges. Building a business while carrying full responsibility for families, caregivers, and outcomes is not something you can separate from your personal life. Every decision matters, and every misstep becomes a lesson in leadership, resilience, and adaptability.

Lastly, navigating growth in a highly regulated, people driven industry requires constant balance. Staffing shortages, changing regulations, and rising expectations from families demand agility and proactive leadership. Rather than viewing these as setbacks, I see them as opportunities to strengthen our foundation and further differentiate how we deliver care.

The challenges shaped the company we are today. They reinforced why we exist, how we operate, and why staying grounded in purpose, accountability, and integrity matters more than taking the easiest path.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Young At Heart Home Care is a boutique, concierge level private pay home care organization designed for families who want more than basic support. We exist for those who value dignity, consistency, and thoughtful oversight as their loved ones age at home.

What we do goes far beyond task based caregiving. We specialize in customized in home care for older adults who want to remain independent, safe, and engaged in their daily lives. Our services range from personal assistance and companionship to advanced support for individuals with cognitive decline, complex medical needs, or transitioning from hospital or rehabilitation settings. Because we are private pay, we are able to remain flexible, responsive, and highly personalized without the constraints that often limit traditional care models.

What truly sets us apart is how intentionally we operate. We are selective by design. Our caregivers average over 17 years of experience, and we prioritize alignment, accountability, and continuity over volume. Every client receives leadership level oversight and a care plan that evolves as their needs change, not a one size fits all schedule.

We are also known for our proprietary YAH360CARE wellness system, which integrates compassionate caregiving with intelligent insight. Through six pillars of wellness including safety, nutrition, physical health, cognitive engagement, emotional well being, and family connection, we track meaningful indicators in real time and adjust care proactively. This allows families to stay informed and confident, while ensuring care is both human centered and measurable.

What I am most proud of brand wise is that we have stayed true to our values as we have grown. We have built a reputation for trust, transparency, and calm leadership during moments when families feel overwhelmed. Our brand represents peace of mind, reliability, and care that feels personal, not transactional.

What I want readers to know is that Young At Heart Home Care was built with intention. We are not trying to be the biggest. We are committed to being the most thoughtful, the most accountable, and the most aligned with the families we serve. Our promise is simple: to elevate the experience of aging at home by blending compassion with clarity, and heart with intelligent insight.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
One of the most important messages I would like to leave readers with is the value of being proactive about care.

Too often, families begin exploring home care only during a moment of crisis when a hospital discharge, sudden decline, or unexpected event forces a rushed decision. In those moments, stress is high, options feel limited, and families do not always have the time or clarity to truly evaluate who will be caring for their loved one.

I strongly encourage families to learn their options early. Take the time to understand different care models, ask questions, meet providers, and know what quality care should look like before you need it. When you plan ahead, you are not just choosing services, you are choosing peace of mind, alignment, and confidence in the people who will be present during some of life’s most sensitive moments.

Being proactive allows families to make thoughtful, informed decisions rather than impulsive ones. It ensures that care is intentional, personalized, and rooted in trust. Most importantly, it honors your loved one by placing their well being, dignity, and comfort at the center of the decision making process.

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