As more older adults choose to age in place, the need for compassionate, reliable in-home support continues to grow. That’s exactly why Seniors Helping Seniors® Greater Dubuque has opened its doors—to provide personalized care that helps older adults remain independent, connected, and comfortable in the place they call home.
For new caregiver Debbie Meyer, joining the team felt like a natural next step.
A retired bus driver for the Dubuque Community School District and The Jule, Meyer recently attended orientation for her new part-time role. Having previously worked as a certified nursing assistant at Mount Carmel Bluffs, she’s excited to return to caring for others.
“This is something that is needed, and I love to do it,” Meyer shared.
Meeting a Growing Need
The demand for in-home care is increasing throughout the Greater Dubuque area. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, more than 21% of Dubuque County residents were age 65 or older in 2025—up significantly from just a decade earlier.
Recognizing this growing need, local owner Cody Strub launched Seniors Helping Seniors® Greater Dubuque with a simple mission: connect older adults who need assistance with compassionate caregivers who understand their experiences because they’re seniors themselves.
“Seniors Helping Seniors® was created so older adults can remain in their homes with dignity and continue enjoying the lives they’ve built,” Strub said.
A Mission Inspired by Family
For Strub, opening the franchise was deeply personal.
After his father developed COPD and his mother experienced a medical emergency that left her unable to drive, finding dependable help became an unexpected challenge. While assistance was available, finding caregivers who truly connected with his parents proved much more difficult.
“It wasn’t hard finding people to help,” Strub explained. “It was hard finding the right people.”
That experience led him to Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, where caregivers are thoughtfully matched with clients based on personalities, interests, and compatibility—not just availability.
Following months of training and learning about the senior care industry, Strub officially launched the Greater Dubuque location and began building a team dedicated to making meaningful connections.
More Than Home Care
Seniors Helping Seniors® Greater Dubuque provides non-medical in-home care designed to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Services include:
- Personal care assistance
- Companionship and conversation
- Transportation to appointments and errands
- Meal preparation
- Light housekeeping
- Pet care
- Walking and exercise companionship
- Social outings and community activities
While practical assistance is important, companionship remains one of the organization’s most valuable services.
“One of the biggest things we do across the nation is provide companionship and socialization,” Strub said.
Whether it’s attending bingo, heading to water aerobics, enjoying lunch together, or simply sharing a conversation over coffee, these moments help reduce loneliness and improve quality of life.
Caregivers Who Care
Every caregiver undergoes background checks and comprehensive training before serving clients, even though Iowa and Wisconsin do not require licensure for non-medical home care.
For caregiver Nancy Ahlborn, the opportunity is especially meaningful. After recovering from health issues that required her own stay in a nursing home, she returned to volunteer and discovered just how much genuine companionship matters.
“I really became close with a lot of the seniors there,” she said.
Joining Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care allows her to continue making that difference—one relationship at a time.
Supporting Independence Across Greater Dubuque
Seniors Helping Seniors® Greater Dubuque serves families throughout Dubuque and the surrounding communities, including Maquoketa, Manchester, and Fennimore.
As more families look for trusted support that allows loved ones to remain safely at home, the organization’s person-centered approach is already filling an important gap in the community.
By pairing seniors with seniors, the organization isn’t just providing care—it’s creating friendships, restoring independence, and helping older adults continue living life on their own terms.