As a little girl, I loved spending time with older adults listening to their stories, laughter, and wisdom. My favorite childhood memories were moments I spent with my grandpa reading, cooking, eating, talking, traveling, or just spending quality time with him as he aged and shared his life with me. Those moments left an imprint on my heart that has never faded. I grew up in a close-knit community where we cared for one another, but especially for our elders. I cannot imagine a world without the love, guidance, and presence of our older generations.

While at Penn State and after graduating, I volunteered in senior living communities and healthcare facilities. It opened my eyes to the quiet struggles many older adults face as they try to hold on to their independence. Simple things like paying bills, keeping up the house, and navigating technology became daily obstacles. What stayed with me was how painful it was to witness many seniors trying to navigate life on their own, without the care and support everyone should have as we grow older.

I sought to do something meaningful, something that would honor and support the generation that built so much for the rest of us. So I took everything I had, my business background, my hands-on experience, and my love for this work, and created Wolfmates. My vision was not just to offer care, but to build a service that truly sees the whole person: their emotional needs, their social needs, their practical needs, and their desire for dignity, companionship, and peace of mind.

-Elise, email founder