Hendersonville and North Nashville Senior Home Care

Quin Christensen & Richard Patterson

Quin Christensen

Over the past 15 years my wife and I have passed through the heartrending experience of aging parents succumbing to cancer, stroke, and heart disease. We joined our siblings in offering all the care we could but eventually found we needed help. We will always be deeply grateful for the kind, compassionate individuals who were there to make our parents lives more liveable in those trying times. They not only did their jobs but they formed real relationships with our amazing moms and dads. They won my respect and trust.

Carolyn suffered from MS for nearly 20 years. She was wheelchair bound and had many other issues. She struggled with her caregivers assigned by the state. They came and went so frequently that she was constantly on edge as to whether she would have the care she needed to get out of bed the next day.

I went to church with Carolyn and I visited her regularly. We laughed and cried together, we learned from each other. We became friends. Her concerns and struggles became my concerns and struggles. Oh how I hoped and prayed for a good caregiver to come into Carolyn’s life. It finally happened. Julie (not her real name) came and saved the day. She was everything you would hope for. Julie made our lives better because she genuinely cared about the wellbeing of Carolyn day in and day out.

I have often wondered since then why it was so hard to find quality care for my dear friend Carolyn. When I learned about Prefered Care at Home something woke up inside me. I could make a difference. I could help insure the best quality care available for our valued, wise, aging brothers and sisters. I want nothing more than to connect the most compassionate and skilled caregivers (like Julie, and those who cared for our parents) with those in need of companionship, meal preparation, housekeeping, medication and hygiene reminders, transportation, etc. at very affordable prices.

It is my mission to improve the quality of life for our amazing seniors, and all others in need, while preserving dignity and independence. Let us help you. Call us today with any questions, concerns, or needs you have. Your peace of mind is our number one priority.

Richard Patterson

My name is Richard Patterson. I am a husband and father to 2 children. I am also the owner and administrator of Preferred Care at Home of North Nashville, Sumner, and East Wilson counties.

I had my first opportunity to work with seniors at the age of 14 when I worked through high school at an assisted living facility. I loved that job because serving and connecting with those residents provided purpose and value during those sometimes uncertain teenage years. Thinking back on it now I realize I was at a vulnerable age just as they were, and the relationships we built were a blessing to us all.

For the past 5 years I have been working in the funeral industry. My main purpose has been to help ensure that every family has an intentional plan in place for their end of life so that their spouse or children isn’t left with that burden during an overwhelming and vulnerable time. I also assisted our funeral directors in serving families who had just experienced a loss. I loved connecting with the family members of the deceased and hearing them talk about their loved one ,and I felt that it was a special privilege for me to share in their loss.

One of the most difficult aspects of this work was knowing that after the funeral was over, that these widows and widowers would be returning to their homes without their spouse and many would left to bear the emotional burden alone. Many of them also had physical limitations that their spouse would no longer be able to help them with. My heart went out to these families, but there was only so much that I could do from the funeral home.

I have always wanted to own and operate a business. There were many things I could have done, but I wanted to do something that would truly help people. So when I saw the opportunity to own and operate a business that provides help and companionship to this group of individuals who over the years has become very dear to me, I knew that this was exactly what I wanted to do. And as my own experience as a teenager had demonstrated, by truly loving and serving, both the caregiver and the receiver’s lives are enriched through meaningful connection.

It is this desire to facilitate these meaningful connections that motivates me to provide the most compassionate and reliable caregivers to our seniors to help them not just with activities of daily living, but also to provide the companionship needed to thrive.

Zellena Johnson

Office Manager and Logistics Coordinator

With over 11 years experience as a caregiver, manager and leader in the caregiving industry, Zellena Johnson’s experience does not stop there. Examples of Zellena’s compassion for those around her shine in her daily life. Driven by her strong desire to insure clients’ needs are met to the best of her ability, Zellena’s values and genuine personality shine through brightly.

A life long resident of Lavergne, Zellena is a graduate of Kaplan Career Institute with a degree in Paralegal Studies. Her background and education have equipped her to balance many facets of Preferred Care at Home – managing, scheduling, training and handling the daily operations. Zellena’s seven years with the company has given her first-hand witness to the growth and positive changes that Preferred Care is proud to boast.

Zellena is a busy lady – in her spare time she assists with charitable causes such as volunteering for Nashville Rescue Mission for Women and Bordeaux Nursing Home. Her big heart does not stop there however, she is a lover of 4-legged creatures, too, but she admits that cats are her favorite.

“I have 6 indoor cats, and I volunteer at Nashville Pet Community Center’s Trap and Release Program for cats,” says Zellena. “Even though my cats are my babies, my greatest joy is spending time with my husband, my children and 4 grandchildren.”

Melissa Maxfield

Melissa found her niche as a caregiver right out of high school, starting as a nurse’s assistant at a convalescent center then moving onto become a private caregiver to a young quadriplegic woman.

After completing a Licensed Practical Nurse program, she had the opportunity to work in several health care settings that included a long-term care facility for children, a physician’s clinic, and home health care.

After a hiatus to raise her large family, Melissa returned to the health care field as a private duty LPN gaining an even greater appreciation for the role caregivers play in the health industry. Working with families in their homes compelled her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies as a “mature” student. Along with learning, Melissa loves to work outside and tend to her large garden with her hubby of 38 years.

(Melissa is currently enrolled in a course to become an end-of-life doula)

Lisa Barry

Transition Liason

Lisa Barry, transition liaison for Preferred Care at Home is proud to call Sumner County her home. She has worked many years in a marketing capacity, primarily focused in healthcare, hospital and home care marketing. Having a great love for her community, she has also marketed for Sumner County Tourism and worked in various positions with the local newspapers.

Lisa’s professional roles share a common element – serving the residents of her hometown community to foster a better quality of life, most importantly for our geriatric population. Offering assistance, providing resources and educating the community is what motivates Lisa. Working for Preferred Care at Home combines all of these.

“I am excited to be part of a compassionate team with a leader and individuals who have the same goals for our clients and community. It is refreshing that we truly believe in the mission of Preferred Care at Home.”