Janice’s Journey from Providing Care to Shaping It
When people see Janice Rehkopf today — composed, confident, and leading as Director of Client Services — they see a seasoned professional who carries both wisdom and heart. What they may not see right away is where it all began: in the quiet, meaningful spaces of caregiving, sitting side-by-side with clients, helping them live with dignity and connection.
Janice began her career in senior care as a certified nursing assistant in her hometown of Traverse City. After gaining experience in Detroit and Ann Arbor, she found herself missing the community and personal connection that came with caring for people close to home.
In 2005, she joined Comfort Keepers of Northern Michigan as the company’s first full-time employee — a decision that would shape not just her career, but her life. “It felt like home from the start,” she says. “Every new client and team member felt like an extension of family.”
In those early years, Janice wore many hats — caregiver, scheduler, trainer, mentor. But at the heart of it all was the care itself. The deep relationships she built with clients and families still guide the way she leads today.
Many of her early clients remain unforgettable
A dear woman who was living with memory loss, the focus was on preserving comfort and dignity. “We’d do her hair together or fold laundry side by side. I’d take her and her husband for car rides or cook them a special meal. It was about bringing a calm, familiar rhythm to the day — and giving him space to simply be her husband, not just her caregiver.”
With one of her early clients, care looked like companionship. “We prepared meals together, sat on the porch, shared stories. She still wanted to feel independent, and together, we made that happen. And her daughter had a chance to step back for a moment and just be family again. That’s what good care does — it strengthens relationships.”
A respected business owner in the community became a client of Janice’s early in her career. “I was in my twenties, still figuring things out,” she recalls. “John kept his old pill bottles above the phone table, filled with pennies, nickels, and dimes. I asked him once why he did that, and he said, ‘Pennies add up to nickels. Nickels add up to dimes.’” That small statement left a big impression.
“It reminded me that the little things matter — in caregiving and in life. Every small act of kindness, every moment of presence, adds up. That’s how trust is built. That’s how people feel safe.” He had a woodshop where he loved to build. One year, he handcrafted small wooden boxes as a birthday gift for my daughter. It was such a thoughtful gesture — and it meant the world to me. He would talk often about his late wife, how much she loved to garden and cook. He showed me some of her favorite recipes, and together we recreated them. I’ll never forget how proud he looked when we got a dish just right — the way his face lit up.
Those moments weren’t just tasks or time spent — they were a gift. I learned so much from him about grace, patience, and the joy of helping someone reconnect with what they love. Being part of his life, even for a short time, brought so much meaning to mine.
Why Home Care Matters
“I entered this field because I care about people. But I stayed because I fell in love with what home care really is,” Janice says. “It’s not just about providing help — it’s about preserving identity, honoring relationships, and helping families stay close in ways that feel natural and meaningful.”
Over the years, Janice has helped Comfort Keepers grow from basic homemaking and companionship to a full circle of care — including private duty nursing, wellness technology, and holistic support tailored to each client’s needs. “We’re helping people stay independent longer, and we’re giving families the tools to stay lovingly involved. That’s powerful.”
Leading from Experience
Today, as Director of Client Services, Janice continues to walk with families through some of life’s most complex seasons. She helps build personalized care plans, leads a team of dedicated professionals, and strengthens the systems that support both clients and caregivers. Because she’s done the work — deeply and personally — she leads with a rare kind of empathy and insight.
Personal Experience, Lifelong Commitment
Janice’s passion for this work is also deeply personal. She cared for her grandmother through advanced dementia and now supports her father as he navigates early memory loss. “I understand the emotional weight of caregiving. It’s made me more patient, more grounded — and even more committed to making sure no one feels alone in this journey.”
When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with her husband, daughter, and grandkids — or relaxing by the water. “The beach is my happy place. The sound of the waves brings me peace.”
“I believe in what we do,” Janice says. “This isn’t just about providing care — it’s about connection. It’s about helping people live the way they want to, with dignity and joy, while making sure families feel supported and seen.”
