Addressing Senior Housing Challenges in North Fulton, with Beth Cayce, CaraVita Home Care, and Tanya Morris, Senior Services North Fulton (North Fulton Voices, Episode 3)
In this episode of North Fulton Voices, hosts Kathy Swahn and Jack Murphy from the North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN) discuss the pressing issue of senior housing challenges in the North Fulton region. Featuring guests Tanya Morris, Client Services Director at Senior Services North Fulton, and Beth Cayce, CEO and founder of CaraVita Home Care, the discussion delves into the shocking statistics and stories highlighting the housing struggles faced by seniors. They cover topics such as affordability, the need for innovative housing solutions, the impact of aging demographics, and the importance of community and government support. The episode calls for greater awareness, community involvement, and comprehensive planning for the future.
North Fulton Voices is presented by the North Fulton Improvement Network. The show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
Beth Cayce, CaraVita Home Care
Beth Cayce is the Founder and CEO of CaraVita Home Care in Roswell, Georgia, bringing over 42 years of healthcare experience to her role. Since establishing the company in 1998, she has dedicated herself to providing compassionate senior home care services. A licensed physical therapist with a Master’s degree, Cayce previously held leadership positions in various healthcare organizations, including PersonaCare and TheraTx. She actively contributes to the community as a board member of Fulton County’s Council of Elder Affairs and co-founder of the Dementia Friendly Fulton coalition. Under her leadership, CaraVita has become a respected provider of senior care services in the Metro Atlanta area.
CaraVita Home Care has been a trusted provider of in-home senior care services since its founding in 1998. With a mission to support families throughout the caregiving journey, CaraVita offers a comprehensive range of personalized services designed to meet the unique needs of each individual. Their professional team includes registered nurses, medical social workers, geriatric care managers, and rehabilitation therapists, all of whom bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. With a combined 175 years in the senior care industry, CaraVita is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care that enhances the quality of life for seniors. Services include companionship, personal care, medication management, and specialized dementia care, ensuring that clients receive the support they need to maintain their independence and dignity.
At CaraVita, the well-being of clients is paramount, and the organization prides itself on its rigorous caregiver screening and training processes. Caregivers are carefully selected for their skills, experience, and compatibility with families, creating a supportive environment that fosters trust and comfort. CaraVita offers flexible care solutions, available 24 hours a day, to accommodate various schedules and needs, whether for hourly assistance or live-in care. This adaptability allows families to find the right level of support for their loved ones, ensuring peace of mind and a focus on enhancing the overall well-being of seniors in their care.
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Beth Cayce LinkedIn
Tanya Morris, Senior Services North Fulton
Tanya Morris is the Client Services Director at Senior Services North Fulton, a position she has held since 2016. She has been with the organization since 2011. In her role, she oversees the Case Management program and manages seven senior centers in Atlanta and North Fulton.
Senior Services North Fulton is a private, non-profit organization established in 1991, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults in the North Fulton area. The organization offers a wide range of programs and services designed to support seniors, promote their independence, and foster community engagement. Among its key offerings are the Meals on Wheels program, which provides nutritious meals to older adults who may have difficulty with grocery shopping or meal preparation, and transportation services that help seniors reach medical appointments and other essential destinations. Additionally, Senior Services North Fulton operates seven senior centers where older adults can socialize, participate in activities, and enjoy various programs that encourage an active and engaged lifestyle.
The mission of Senior Services North Fulton is to provide services and support that enhance the quality of life and independence of seniors in the community. The organization envisions an inclusive environment where all older adults are respected, cared for, and supported in living meaningful lives. Through its comprehensive approach, Senior Services North Fulton strives to empower seniors, ensuring they have access to the resources and connections necessary to thrive in their later years.
Website | Facebook | Tanya Morris LinkedIn
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Voices
00:41 Senior Housing Challenges: Key Statistics
02:47 Introducing Our Guests: Tanya Morris and Beth Cayce
03:51 Concerns in Senior Care and Senior Housing Challenges
06:16 Affordability and Accessibility in Senior Living
13:20 The Importance of Aging in Place
17:24 Family Dynamics and Senior Care
19:29 The Decline of Nuclear Families and the Role of Technology
20:04 Challenges of Technology for Seniors
21:49 Affordability and Housing Solutions
24:25 Community and Political Involvement
27:48 Innovative Housing Concepts
29:39 Raising Awareness and Volunteering
33:57 Conclusion and Resources
North Fulton Improvement Network
The North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN) is a think tank made up of community leaders from a variety of sectors, focused on missing middle housing and the livability challenges confronting North Fulton. We come from the six cities making up the northern half of Fulton County, Georgia — Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs — and are working to address the widespread yet little-known financial vulnerability across the region. With stakeholders from sectors including business, nonprofit, faith, government, and citizens, we center our work on five areas of impact, seek to educate the public about these issues, build a network of individuals and organizations with innovative private and public solutions, and connect resources to those in need.
The leadership team of NFIN is Jack Murphy, Nancy Diamond, and Kathy Swahn.
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Jack Murphy
Jack Murphy is a volunteer with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and is Chair of the North Fulton Improvement Network. He is also in his 21st year of working for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
He has served on both the National and Georgia Boards of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, responsible for Diversity, Advocacy, & Systemic Change. Jack is currently the national SVDP chair of Systemic Change and Advocacy.
Jack received a BA in psychology from Belmont Abbey College and a M.Ed. from UNC-Greensboro. Jack and his wife, Nancy, a retired elementary school principal, have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. They live in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Kathy Swahn
Kathy has resided in the North Fulton area for almost 45 years. She has watched the community evolve from what was “unincorporated Fulton County” to a six-city bustling suburban community. Her history has been characterized by a focus on children: she was a stay-at-home mother who raised two daughters, she spent years in leadership roles in school PTAs and Girl Scouts, the National Charity League, the North Fulton Council of PTAs, and she served as chair of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
Kathy transitioned back to work by jumping into the non-profit world. She joined the team at North Fulton Community Charities, running their Holiday Program, becoming Development Director and successfully managing the $3 million capital campaign for their Elkins Road location. Along the way, she also served on the DFACS Board and chaired the board of the Fulton County Continuum of Care for four years.
After having the opportunity to join in the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, Kathy was surrounded with a dynamic group of folks who worked to create The Drake House. Since 2004, she served as board chair for the first four years, executive director for nine years, and is now retired. Over those years, The Drake House served over 500 single mothers with over 1,000 children and grew the assets of the organization to over $4 million.
Kathy continues to serve The Drake House on the Advocacy Committee, along with her work for NFIN.
She spends much of her time traveling to the Washington, D.C., area, where her children and grandchildren reside.
About North Fulton Voices
While North Fulton County is one of the most desirable places to live in the United States, the region faces a growing crisis: a severe shortage of housing options for middle-income employees, particularly essential workers such as first responders and teachers. Presented by the North Fulton Improvement Network, North Fulton Voices is the go-to source for in-depth analysis and discussion of missing middle housing and the livability challenges confronting North Fulton. Listen as we understand the implications of this problem, explore innovative solutions, and examine why providing these housing options is vital for North Fulton’s future. The show is sponsored and offered as a service to the community by John Ray Co. and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
Sponsor for North Fulton Voices: John Ray and Business RadioX – North Fulton
The North Fulton Voices show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
John Ray is a podcast show host and producer and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) affiliate of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their own podcast using The Generosity Mindset™ Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.
John also operates his own business advisory practice, Ray Business Advisors. John’s services include advising solopreneur and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the author of the #1 nationally best-selling book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.
John is the host of North Fulton Business Radio and The Price and Value Journey. North Fulton Business Radio, the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton region of Georgia, features a wide range of business and community leaders. The Price and Value Journey is devoted to solo and small firm professional services providers and covers issues such as pricing, value, and business development.
