In Hackensack, Emily and Ivan Justo are turning childhood memories into meaningful community impact.
As children, both watched their mothers care for aging grandparents — lovingly and tirelessly — while juggling careers, households, and countless other responsibilities. They saw firsthand the emotional weight, physical demands, and quiet sacrifices that often come with caring for an older parent without outside support.
Those early experiences stayed with them.
Today, the Emerson couple has launched Seniors Helping Seniors® Hackensack, bringing a unique peer-to-peer caregiving model to local families.
A Different Kind of Care
Seniors Helping Seniors® Hackensack pairs older adults with active senior caregivers who provide companionship and practical support. Services include:
- Meal preparation
- Personal care assistance
- Help with errands and household tasks
- Meaningful companionship
“What makes us different,” said Ivan, 47, “is that most of our caregivers are seniors themselves. They are active, compassionate seniors, and we match them thoughtfully with our clients.”
Born in the Dominican Republic, Ivan moved to Boston as a teenager before eventually settling in New Jersey. His diverse background and life experience shape his belief in connection, empathy, and respect — values that are central to the business.
The peer-to-peer model fosters more than just assistance; it creates relationships built on shared experiences and mutual understanding.
Rooted in Culture and Respect
Emily, 45, grew up in a Dominican household in Washington Heights, New York, where caring for elders was deeply ingrained in the culture.
“In our family, there is a lot of respect for elders and a lot of expectations of care once your family members reach their elder years,” she said.
But she also witnessed the strain that caregiving can place on families. Watching her mother care for her grandmother without outside help opened her eyes to the reality that love alone doesn’t eliminate the challenges.
She recognized that while some cultures emphasize caring for aging parents at home, not every family has the support systems in place to do it alone — and expectations don’t always carry evenly across generations.
That understanding fuels the Justos’ mission: to provide families with reliable, compassionate support that enhances — rather than replaces — family involvement.
Meeting Families Where They Are
Through Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, Emily and Ivan aim to lighten the load for family caregivers while helping older adults maintain independence and dignity at home.
By matching seniors with caregivers who are in a similar stage of life, they create natural connections — conversations flow easier, shared stories spark joy, and companionship feels authentic.
For the Justos, this isn’t just a business. It’s personal.
It’s about honoring the example their mothers set — while ensuring today’s families have the additional support they deserve.
And in doing so, they’re building something powerful in Hackensack: a model of care rooted in empathy, culture, and community.