Today we’d like to introduce you to Nakia Starker.
Hi Nakia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Gracefully Aging was birthed 20 years ago when my father suffered from a massive stroke. He was the sole provider of our home and watching him not being able to fulfill his role depleted him as a man. I was instrumental in his therapy to ensure when he arrived home, I would be able to help him achieve maximum mobility. It was some painful days, but we were able to help him walk and drive again. Seeing the spark back into my father’s eyes I knew this was what I was destined to do. Although we didn’t formally establish until June 2018, we served our community and assisted the disabled with aging in place and finding valuable resources within the community. To date, Gracefully Aging have served over 100 clients, opened a group home for people with disability, started a non-medical transportation company, opening a transitional living home, and started a nonprofit organization called Beyond the Walls that assist in providing additional care and funding to those we serve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Embarking on a new journey can be quite challenging. The greatest obstacle I’ve encountered was overcoming your fears of succeeding. There were many days I quit and woke up the following day and started anew. It’s rewarding once I see the lives we impacted and how the people we serve depend on us for their daily living and general companionship. It’s difficult when you are serving others and they don’t have the essentials needed for limited resources from the insurance company. You often find yourself becoming an advocate, social worker, and friend to ensure the end goal is maintained.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a licensed non-medical home health agency who service the elderly and developmental disable population. We have been serving our community for over 3 years under the business name, but we are no way a novice to the field. As the owner, I embarked in the medical field in 1992 and worked in several areas when I experience the lack of resources of those I serve. We at Gracefully Aging are a company that stands on integrity and serve with our hearts in our hands.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I started out as a very shy little girl. Once I broke the shell, I was always the center of attention and found myself helping others. I always had a genuine heart and people always came to me for advice. I initially wanted to become a nurse and open an assisted living facility and impact the lives of those in underserved areas.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gracefullyaging.net
- Instagram: gahealthcare1
- Facebook: Gracefully Aging LLC
- Twitter: gahealthcare1
