Catching up with Home Instead’s Paul and Lori Hogan

Paul and Lori Hogan founded Home Instead Senior Care in 1994.

Since then, it has grown into the largest world’s largest private provider of non-medical home care to seniors.

Lori and Paul Hogan

Committed to helping seniors remain in their homes as they age, Home Instead’s vision and mission grew from Paul Hogan’s experience caring for his grandmother for 12 years as she aged.

The company’s reach now extends around the globe.

In 2008, the couple gave the lead gift to construct the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging on the UNMC Campus. Opening ceremonies for the new center will be held Monday.

Below, the Hogans comment on their commitment to help seniors stay at home and their partnership with UNMC, which the couple says was born of a shared vision on how to care for people as they age.

Paul, what was it about the experience of caring for your grandmother that sparked your passion to help seniors age at home?

Paul: For my grandmother, nutrition was a big area of concern. My mother would prepare meals for her, but oftentimes, my grandmother would just put the food in her refrigerator and not eat it. We learned that when we ate with grandma and encouraged her to eat, she regained her strength.

Lori: She eventually regained her strength where she would walk herself to church every day when the weather cooperated.

What are the biggest challenges to helping seniors remain at home when they age?

Paul: Studies show that 85 percent to 90 percent of seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, but the challenge is helping families make informed decisions. Families don’t know what their care options are or how much they cost. Most importantly, seniors and their families fail to plan for old age.

What made UNMC the right partner to help you in your mission?

Lori: Dr. Jane Potter. As Paul and I were starting Home Instead Senior Care, we were aware of her work and thought she shared a common vision with us.

How do you envision UNMC and the Home Instead Center improving senior care?

Lori: We are excited about the research opportunities and the wellness center. We plan to work with, and learn from, the amazingly talented team at UNMC.

Paul: At Home Instead Senior Care, we are actively changing the face of aging. We want seniors and their family to be prepared for aging and make informed decisions about care.