When Becky Bongiovanni met her future husband, Chuck, in the early 2000s, she had no idea her life was about to change in a profound way.
At the time, Becky worked in a geriatric ophthalmology practice by serving older adults every day. She enjoyed the work and admired the resilience and humor that so many seniors displayed despite the challenges of aging.
Yet, she often witnessed families silently struggling as they tried to understand how to best care for aging parents and grandparents.
Chuck was a master’s level social worker who had spent years helping families to navigate senior care systems that could often feel overwhelming. He had recently launched a small consulting practice to offer guidance to families who needed help understanding care options and selecting reputable senior living communities.
Becky saw firsthand how impactful his work was and how deep the need for this type of support truly ran. She also knew the pain of getting it wrong. Becky recalled how her own mother struggled to find the right care for her grandparents.
Despite doing the best she could, limited information and few resources led to her grandfather experiencing neglect and abuse in a nursing home. The emotional toll on the family was lasting and heavy.
“It was heartbreaking watching my family go through that,” Becky said. “I remember thinking how different things could have been if someone had been there to guide us.”
That experience never left her. So, when the opportunity came to join Chuck’s growing service, she stepped in without hesitation.
Over time, that small practice evolved into CarePatrol, now one of the largest senior care advisory networks in the nation.
Today, CarePatrol advisors are located in more than 200 communities across 40 states and in parts of Canada. They help families identify safe and appropriate long-term care solutions for aging loved ones.
A guided approach to senior care
CarePatrol helps families find senior living communities that match their medical needs, lifestyle preferences and financial circumstances.
Advisors personally tour and evaluate facilities in their local areas, review state inspection reports and remain familiar with care histories and reputations. This allows them to guide families based on facts rather than marketing brochures or sales pressure.
Most importantly, the service is provided at no cost to families.
“Communities set aside money for marketing, and they see us as a good use of those dollars,” Becky explained. “Our loyalty is to the families we serve. We want to ensure they find the safest and most supportive environment possible.”
This approach has earned CarePatrol a reputation for integrity. Advisors are trained and certified as senior care specialists.
Many left corporate careers or entered semi-retirement before deciding they wanted to do work that mattered in a deeper way. As a result, the organization is filled with people driven not by sales quotas, but by compassion.
“We make sure our advisors know this is a heart-centered business,” Becky said. “You will meet families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. They need clarity, support and empathy.”
The silent strain of the sandwich generation
Many of the families CarePatrol serves belong to what Becky referred to as the “sandwich generation.” These are adults who spent years raising children and helping them launch into adulthood, only to realize soon after that their aging parents need help as well.
“The emotional weight of that can be enormous,” she said. “People want to do right by their parents, but they are often exhausted and unsure of what to do.”
Even when parents insist they are getting along just fine, signs of cognitive decline, poor nutrition or medication mismanagement may indicate otherwise. The situation can shift quickly, and families may struggle to reach consensus on how to move forward.
CarePatrol advisors are trained to navigate these conversations with care. They help families focus on safety, dignity and respect, while honoring the wishes of the aging parent whenever possible.
“Our job is not to tell people what to do,” Becky said. “It is to educate them so they can make the best decisions for their situation.”
A surprising calling after turning 50
While Becky dedicated years to growing CarePatrol and supporting families, she eventually realized she needed something for herself as well. After crossing into her fifties, she noticed a quiet shift inside her. Work continued to be deeply meaningful, but she felt something calling her toward a new kind of personal renewal.
That calling arrived in the form of a horse.
“I always liked horses as a child, but I had never ridden before,” Becky explained. “One day I just thought, why not now? Why not try it while I still can?”
She bought a quarter horse and began riding on weekends. The experience transformed her.
“I thought I was good at handling stress,” she said. “But, riding a horse made me realize how tense I really was. Horses reflect your emotional state. When I was calm, my horse was calm. When I was anxious, my horse reacted. It taught me to breathe, to trust and to lead from a place of confidence rather than control.”
Trail riding became her sanctuary. The physical movement, the quiet connection with another living being and the escape into nature brought her a sense of freedom she had not known since childhood.
“It made me feel younger,” she said. “It helped me reconnect with a part of myself that had been waiting for years to be rediscovered.”
Purpose for people over 50
Becky believes many people cross into midlife with a quiet longing for something more meaningful. They want to contribute in ways that matter through work that aligns with their values. They also want to feel connected, purposeful and useful.
CarePatrol has become a pathway for many to do exactly that.
The organization offers franchise opportunities for people who want to make a difference in their local communities. Many of its franchisees are men and women over 50 who have already built successful careers, but now feel drawn to more personal and relational work.
“They have walked the road of helping their own parents,” Becky said. “They understand the emotional and practical challenges families face. That lived experience becomes a gift they can share with others.”
A CarePatrol advisor does not need a team, a large office or prior healthcare experience. They need compassion, integrity, perseverance and a genuine desire to serve.
“This work is meaningful on every level,” Becky said. “You are helping people during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions. You are bringing peace to families who are afraid of making the wrong decision. And you are ensuring that aging adults find care that is safe and respectful.”
A life that keeps growing
Today, Becky continues to lead CarePatrol with the same passion she felt when she first joined Chuck in the early days. She remains inspired by every family helped by the organization as well as by every advisor who feels called to this work.
“If you are interested in something, go do it,” Becky said. “Do not let fear or excuses decide your life. You are only as old as you feel, and if you feel old, find something that makes you feel young again. There is still so much life waiting to be lived.”
Her story is a reminder that purpose does not end at 50. In fact, it often begins there.
For more information
People can connect with Becky on these platforms:
- Website = www.carepatrol.com
- LinkedIn = www.linkedin.com/in/becky-bongiovanni-96319317
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/CarePatrolCares
- Instagram = www.instagram.com/carepatrol_cares
- YouTube = www.youtube.com/channel/UChpo0ejA6PzUuVZmrQjHuPA
