When Deanna Thach, a registered nurse, and her husband, Jeffrey Macapinlac, welcomed their third baby, they found themselves reflecting on more than sleepless nights and growing responsibilities. They began thinking about legacy.
Both had successful careers. Deanna had years of clinical nursing experience and a long history of serving older adults through volunteer work — from Meals on Wheels to hospice companionship. Jeffrey worked as a biomedical device sales executive. Life was stable. Comfortable. Predictable.
And yet, something was stirring.
With three young children watching their every move, the Livermore couple felt called to build something more intentional — something that aligned with their values and modeled purpose for their family.
Leaving stable careers wasn’t easy. It meant stepping into uncertainty. But in June, they took that leap and opened their own branch of Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, bringing its peer-to-peer model of care to the Tri-Valley and Fremont communities.
A Calling Rooted in Compassion
For Deanna, caring for older adults was never just a job — it was a calling.
Even before becoming a nurse, she was drawn to serving seniors. Volunteer work in senior communities, adult development labs, and hospice settings only deepened her sense of purpose. But the true inspiration began much earlier — with her grandparents.
They were active, engaged, joyful. They cooked for their grandchildren, stayed connected with relatives, and immersed themselves in their church community. They didn’t seem lonely. They seemed vibrant.
That image stayed with her.
Opening a senior care business wasn’t simply a career shift — it was a continuation of the values she had witnessed growing up: respect for elders, connection across generations, and honoring the dignity of aging.
The Power of Peer-to-Peer Connection
What makes Seniors Helping Seniors® brand unique is its reciprocal model: active seniors care for their less active counterparts.
It’s not just assistance — it’s companionship rooted in shared life experience.
Caregivers and clients are often close in age. They remember similar songs. They grew up watching the same television shows. They lived through many of the same historical moments. Those common threads create something powerful: authentic connection.
And that connection can be transformative.
In one early case, a 92-year-old widow living alone reached out after experiencing a fall. Initially, she sought companionship and added safety at home. But something unexpected happened almost immediately.
After just a few visits, she began waking up earlier. She started putting on makeup again. Lipstick. Doing her hair. She looked forward to seeing her companion — not as a caregiver, but as a friend.
That shift — from isolation to anticipation — captures the heart of the mission.
Practical Support, Preserved Dignity
As a non-medical, in-home care agency, Seniors Helping Seniors® Tri-Valley provides services that allow older adults to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes. Support ranges from companionship, transportation, meal preparation, and light housekeeping to laundry and medication reminders.
For those who need more assistance, personal care services such as bathing, dressing, transferring, and mobility support are also available.
The goal is simple: provide practical daily assistance while preserving dignity, independence, and personal choice.
Matchmaking plays a central role in that success. Deanna and Jeffrey take time to meet each client, understand their lifestyle and personality, and carefully pair them with a caregiver who is not only qualified, but compatible. Skills matter — but heart matters more.
Caregivers are paid competitive wages, but the couple intentionally seeks individuals who possess what they describe as “the heart of a volunteer” — loving, compassionate people who genuinely want to serve.
Building Community While Raising a Family
Born and raised in Santa Clara and now rooted in Livermore, Deanna and Jeffrey are building more than a business — they’re building community. They plan to raise their children in the Tri-Valley and hope their work contributes to a culture that honors aging with respect.
As the population continues to age and adult children often live miles — or even states — away, families increasingly seek peace of mind. Having a trusted companion in the home offers safety, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation, while allowing seniors to live life on their own terms.
At its core, their new venture is about presence.
A steady hand.
A listening ear.
A shared laugh over music from decades past.
And for one growing family in Livermore, it’s also about showing their children what it looks like to build a life driven not just by success — but by service.