Sitting on the Other Side of the Table

I’ve spent more than twenty years working in social services, first as a Direct Service Professional, then supervising staff at group homes, then as a case manager for CADI and BI waivers, helping individuals and families navigate the maze of services, and later as the Manager of Aging and Disability Services at Ramsey County, helping staff guide those same families with care and compassion. I’ve seen the system from every angle; the policies, the assessments, the endless paperwork.

And then, my cousin moved in with us.

She was born and raised in New Mexico and had lived with her parents in Oklahoma for the last 20 years before coming to live with us here in Minnesota. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t just receiving care, she was building a new kind of independence in a new state. And suddenly, I was sitting on the other side of the table with her.

Even with all my experience, I was overwhelmed.
There were appointments with Social Security, medical referrals, endless calls to county workers, MNChoices assessments, staffing coordination, neuro-psych evals, urgent room visits, copious amounts of meds and filling a monthly med minder... and the list never seemed to end. Each step required another phone call, another form, another wait. I found myself thinking, If I know this system and it still feels impossible, how must it feel for families who don’t?

That realization hit me hard. The system is full of good people and good intentions; but it’s complicated, fragmented, and exhausting for those just trying to get help for someone they love.

That experience changed everything for me.

It reminded me that independence doesn’t happen alone. It takes a team of caregivers, families, coordinators, and agencies working together with transparency, empathy, and trust. That’s what I wanted to build with Northern Lights Living: a place where people feel seen, supported, and valued on both sides of the table.

If you’re walking this path, whether you’re new to home supports or just trying to find a provider who listens, I understand how hard it can be. And we’re here to help.

Because when people are supported well, caregivers are empowered, and independence feels like home.

💙 If you’re ready to learn more or begin services, reach out to us. We’d love to help you build the life you want, your way.