By Julianna Jones
Phillip and Jennifer Beane always knew they’d need to find high-quality support when they got older. As planners by nature, the Cary couple had spent years thinking through the “what-ifs” that come with aging — long-term care, emergencies, the unpredictability of health. Living in an active 55+ community gave them the lifestyle they wanted, but it didn’t fully answer the question that sat quietly in the background: Who will help us when we really need it?
Their concerns weren’t theoretical. A few years back, they watched a neighbor be taken advantage of by the help that she hired.
“We saw first-hand what bad care looks like when no one’s there to protect you,” Jennifer said. Since then, the Beanes were on a mission to find someone to meet their needs as they aged.
“I’m all about planning, having things in place,” Jennifer said. She had a long list of questions and knew what she wanted but not where to find it.
The answer revealed itself when they were introduced to ThriveMore at Home, a membership-based program designed for older adults who want to remain in the comfort of their own homes while having professional support, care coordination, and peace of mind. The Beanes joined last February, while they were both healthy and not expecting to need much support yet. However, they ended up needing it earlier than they’d expected.
Jennifer unexpectedly fell ill and was hospitalized, but during that process the ThriveMore at Home team was with them every step of the way. Executive Director Lynne Moore worked behind the scenes and briefed Phillip every night on what he needed to do.
“It worked out perfect,” Phillip said. “She was a care manager like we expected our care manager to be.”
The Beanes have been incredibly happy with their choice to join ThriveMore at Home ever since. Not only did the team handle things during an emergency, but the everyday experience of being members is one of a proactive partnership. Team members check in regularly. They bring helpful health and safety devices, offer guidance with a monthly care call, help consolidate medical information (including military-related documentation), and have ensured the couple’s support network is ready long before an emergency arose.
“All these little things seem like little things, but they all add up,” Jennifer said. “They give me such peace of mind and serenity and I’m so glad I found you guys.”
This kind of thoughtful preparation became another layer of reassurance, another weight lifted, which is exactly what they were looking for. They don’t have children together and don’t want to have to rely on strangers for support when they need it.
“When you get old you eventually reach a point where you’re going to need help, and we wanted to be able to trust that person,” Phillip said. This frees the Beanes up to enjoy their retirement.
And that’s exactly what ThriveMore at Home was designed for. Launched in 2023 as an extension of ThriveMore’s 75-year mission of serving older adults across North Carolina, the program brings the organization’s trusted expertise directly into the homes of people who want independence without sacrificing safety. Today, ThriveMore at Home serves members in the Triangle who don’t want to move to senior living but still want the confidence of having a reliable partner in aging.
The Beanes’ story is just one example of what ThriveMore at Home offers: stability, preparedness, and confidence. It proves that aging in place doesn’t mean aging alone — and that with the right support, home can remain the safest and most meaningful place to grow older.
Julianna Jones is the Director of Communications at ThriveMore, a faith-based nonprofit that has been serving older adults in North Carolina for 75 years. For more information about ThriveMore at Home, visit thrivemoreathome.org.
