In Conversation with Jessica Valleskey to Bring Her Insights on a Personalized Approach to Memory Care

Every individual facing memory challenges carries a unique narrative, making it crucial that care adapts to each person’s life story and preferences. Emphasizing tailored strategies, this approach transforms everyday routines into moments of dignity and connection.

Familiar sounds, cherished photographs, and meaningful traditions provide comfort, reducing anxiety while evoking joyful recollections. This thoughtful model nurtures not only cognitive function but also emotional well-being, ensuring that every person feels seen, respected, and valued.

Engaging in activities that resonate with personal interests—whether it’s a favorite melody, creative art therapy, or sharing stories about treasured experiences—enables caregivers to build environments where memory loss is met with empathy instead of frustration.

Such individualized care fosters collaboration among families, clinicians, and community members, creating a supportive network that adapts to evolving needs and challenges. In this way, the journey through memory care becomes one of resilience, hope, and continuous discovery, inspiring both caregivers and clients to embrace every moment with authenticity and heartfelt compassion.

By centering each individual’s identity, this innovative model redefines memory care as a journey of empowerment.

To shed some light on the same, we interviewed a home care industry expert to bring her perspective on a personalized approach to memory care.

Let us now delve into what she has to say about a personalized approach to memory care:

Question 1: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to innovate within the senior and memory care industry?

Get creative, don’t be afraid to dive into others’ “worlds” and simply approach your business as though you were intricately weaving the dynamics for your own family together when it comes to care.

Put yourself in the clients’ as well as their families’ shoes! Would you want to be plopped down in bed, doing all crossword puzzles, in front of a TV all day, 24/7, longing for stimulation or the chance to engage with others?

Make sure your research/sources are in fact credible, while also up to date. Of course, there will be various approaches (especially when it comes to dissecting/advancing functions of cognitive domains along with techniques utilized).

Be open-minded but stay focused on your goal—then own it! Use free, user-friendly online tools to support caregivers and loved ones. Verify information from reliable sources, avoiding blogs and Wikipedia.

Go directly to experts like neurologists, geriatricians, and other specialists for accurate guidance.

Question 2: What has been the most significant challenge you’ve faced in establishing and growing a senior/memory care business in ‘The Valley’, and how did you overcome it?

Every client and family has unique goals for their visits, making it essential to truly listen and adapt with compassionate flexibility. Interests may shift daily based on how they feel, so be ready to adjust. Most importantly—make them laugh! Lighten the mood, as life is already heavy enough.

Rather than focusing on checking off activities, be present. Engage in meaningful conversations and support them through good and bad moments. As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Entering a home or nursing facility as an entrepreneur comes with questions and the need to earn trust. Stay confident, prove your dedication, and allow yourself grace on tough days.

Question 3: What is one innovative strategy initiative you’ve implemented over the past four years that you believe has significantly improved the care experience for your clients?

Engaging all the senses can enhance cognitive stimulation and community connection. Programs like Focus-Train Your Brain App, Lumosity, Eidetic, AARP Games, NeuroNation, Elevate, and Google Arts & Culture provide interactive mental exercises.

Beyond screens, incorporating hands-on activities like music, book clubs, writing, and nature therapy helps clients step outside themselves and feel more connected.

We also love celebrating special moments! Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or personal achievement, we bring decorations and throw small gatherings to make our clients feel valued and uplifted.

Question 4: Given Arizona’s evolving regulatory landscape, how does Joyburst Care Companion ensure full compliance with state regulations for both in-home and assisted living/memory care services?

At Joyburst Care, I serve as Founder and CEO, bringing both caregiving experience and a Paralegal certification from Regent University. Laws and regulations are constantly evolving, and we stay proactive in compliance and transparency.

We leverage top-tier platforms like Zen Business for LLC formation and ownership compliance, along with GoDaddy for additional security. Before taking on any position, we personally meet with clients, share our credentials, provide full transparency on online reviews, and present official IRS documentation.

Trust and accountability are paramount. That’s why we pursued accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which has upheld business integrity since 1912. 

We welcome all customer reviews—good or bad—and remain committed to affordability. I firmly believe: treat people well, and the numbers will follow.

Question 5: Looking ahead to 2025, what major trends or innovations do you anticipate in the home care industry, and how is Joyburst positioning itself to lead these changes?

With rising economic uncertainty, the cost of assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes—most of which aren’t covered by insurance—has become unsustainable for many. Limited grant funding and long waitlists leave families struggling while health declines. I foresee a sharp increase in demand for in-home care as a more flexible and affordable solution.

Just as COVID forced innovation across industries, we must do the same for our aging population. This isn’t about politics—it’s about human lives. If we neglect healthcare, the domino effect follows: people can’t work, unemployment rises, hospitals overflow, and homelessness increases.

Living with Lupus, I can’t work long hours, but I saw a glaring gap in our system. Instead of pursuing a legal career, I founded Joyburst Care to offer families a flexible, all-in-one caregiving solution. The answer isn’t out of reach—it’s in our collective efforts to keep resources flowing through senior centers and provide personalized, socialized cognitive care.

In Conclusion

Valleskey’s insights underscore a paradigm shift in memory care: moving beyond rote tasks to cultivate genuine human connection. Her emphasis on “being present” and adapting to individual needs, rather than rigid schedules, highlights the emotional core of effective care.

By integrating technology with personalized, sensory-rich activities and prioritizing trust through transparency and compliance, Valleskey’s approach exemplifies a future where memory care is defined by empathy and empowerment.

This holistic model, blending legal acumen with compassionate service, not only improves client well-being but also fosters a resilient, supportive community, proving that innovation in caregiving is fundamentally about honoring the individual’s journey.