National Family Caregivers Month: Honoring the People Who Care
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the millions of people who care for a loved one every day. At GoodLife, family caregivers are at the heart of our mission: to make a meaningful difference in the everyday lives of individuals with disabilities and the caregivers who support them. What Is National Family Caregivers Month? Each November,… read more
Andrew Pflumm: A Story of Growth and Hard Work
By Kofi Boye-Doe There are some people who come into our lives and, over time, teach us one of life’s most important lessons: our past does not define our future, and who we were yesterday does not have to determine who we will become tomorrow. Andrew Pflumm is someone whose journey has reminded me of that truth. I have known… read more
Celebrating Value and Talent: National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Every October, the country recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to honor the contributions people with disabilities make in workplaces, communities, and the economy. At GoodLife, it’s a month that feels very close to home. Where NDEAM Came From NDEAM began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance recognizing the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In… read more
The People Behind the GoodLife: Why Direct Support Is a Career Worth Choosing
With Labor Day behind us and DSP Recognition Week (September 13–19) just ahead, it’s a good moment to slow down and talk about the people who make GoodLife’s work possible in the first place: Direct Support Professionals and Professional Neighbors across Kansas and Arkansas. What is a Direct Support Professional? A Direct Support Professional, or DSP, is the person who… read more
A Poem for Family Fun Day
When Elena Ivanov, GoodLife’s RISE/STEP Coordinator, learned that Tyler Cobb has a real gift for words, she had an idea: what if Tyler wrote the invitation to this year’s Family Fun Day Carnival himself? Tyler said yes — and it took him just 20 minutes to put the verses to paper. The poem was so well loved by everyone at… read more
What AI Can’t Replicate
Artificial intelligence can now compose music, generate artwork, write speeches, and even invent convincing life stories. It can simulate emotion so effectively that we sometimes forget there’s no human behind the curtain. But there is something AI still can’t do. Crochet. Crochet requires instinct. A feel for tension. A decision about whether the next stitch belongs in the front loop,… read more
What is a Professional Neighbor? 24/7 Care for Independent Living
When aging family members or loved ones with disabilities need daily assistance yet desire independent living, families face an impossible dilemma. You can’t always be there to help, but you need to know they’re safe, supported, and thriving in a community that truly sees them. Traditional care models often mean choosing between independence and safety. GoodLife’s Professional Neighbors offer a… read more
Supporting Caregivers: How the Senior Neighborhood Network Reduces Stress for Families
For many adult children, supporting an aging parent doesn’t happen all at once. It starts with small worries:Did they remember their medication? Did they lock the door? What happens if they fall when no one is there? Balancing a career, a family of their own, and concern for a parent’s safety can quickly become overwhelming. Even when seniors are living… read more
Go With the Flow: Rachel’s Story of Strength and Spirit
“Water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient.Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember, you are half water.If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”— Margaret Atwood I’ve had the privilege of seeing some of the world’s greatest swimmers in action — Michael Phelps… read more
Adapting to Change: How GoodLife’s Neighborhood Network Evolves with the People It Serves
A Smarter Way to Support Aging in Place Change is a natural part of life. As we grow older, our needs, routines, and priorities shift. For many aging adults, those changes bring new challenges — maintaining independence, staying socially connected, and ensuring safety at home. GoodLife’s Neighborhood Network was designed with those realities in mind. The Neighborhood Network is a… read more
