Navigating Care: A New Vision for Home Health with Calico Home Care

In the ever-evolving landscape of home health care, few are as well-prepared to tackle its complexities as Marci Miller, the owner of Calico Home Care. 

After growing up in Central Florida, she made the bold decision to sell her house and relocate her family of five, along with two cats and a dog, halfway across the country to Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in the fall of 2015. With years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Marci naturally developed a passion for elder care. Over the next nine years, she successfully managed a well-known franchise as well as a local, women-owned agency, increasing their caregiving reach to 4,000 hours of care weekly. However, in the summer of 2024, her priorities shifted to focus on her two boys, whose special needs had significantly increased, prompting her to retire from home health care—or so she thought. “While sitting on a beach in San Diego over New Year’s, I realized just how much I missed the home health care space. I missed the clients. I missed my team,” she shares. This moment of clarity inspired her to breathe life into Calico Home Care, a venture driven by the mission to do things differently. 

Having experienced the overwhelm that navigating new diagnoses and health events can impose not only on individuals but also on family caregivers, she understands the challenges firsthand. “When my boys were diagnosed, I felt like a deer in the headlights.” Despite running two successful home health agencies, Marci found herself as the "Caregiver," handed a single sheet of paper with "resources" and little guidance beyond a hollow “good luck.” This experience fueled her passion to ensure that no one else feels the same way. 

Over the past ten years, she has compiled a comprehensive list of resources, ranging from well-vetted care agencies to funding options. Calico Home Care aims to support families as they navigate the maze of healthcare logistics while addressing common frustrations related to caregiver turnover. “Most caregivers are juggling not only their clients’ needs but also the needs of someone close to them, such as a child, neighbor, or spouse. The burnout rate is extremely high,” she explains. To combat this issue, Calico is committed to paying above industry standards, emphasizing training, personal support, and even profit sharing for all employees. “I am not in this to get rich. My goal is to give my team the best quality of life and to create something incredible—something they have a vested interest in.” 

The philosophy behind Calico is rooted in a simple yet profound Southern saying: "If momma isn’t happy, ain’t nobody happy." By prioritizing caregiver satisfaction, the agency has a proven track record that their families thrive through stability and consistency within their caregiving teams. Family support also plays a central role in Calico's mission. “I once worked with a client who, at 28, was suddenly diagnosed as a partial quadriplegic following a tragic accident. He had no use of his lower body and limited use of his arms and hands. He was sent back to his childhood home without any training or resources for him or his family. I was able to help them with simple tips and tricks to make their day-to-day tasks easier. Ultimately, I worked with their insurance to pay a family member to provide full-time care, relieving some of the financial stress that this type of injury can cause. We also secured a hospital bed and other necessary items to make living at home as a partial quadriplegic less stressful.” 

Calico Home Care offers a range of services, from companionship to skilled nursing, and operates across eleven counties in the Denver metro area, extending as far north as Weld, Morgan, and Larimer, and as far south as Elbert and Douglas. The services are categorized into three areas: Personal Care, Homemaking, and Skilled Nursing, each designed to cater to diverse needs. What sets Calico apart is its unwavering commitment to being an employer of choice, ensuring that caregivers feel valued and supported. This approach fosters continuity of care, allowing clients to build lasting relationships with their caregivers, which is essential for effective home health support. Additionally, Calico offers no-charge consultations and resources to families, regardless of whether they choose to utilize its services. The primary goal is to equip families with the knowledge and tools they need to care for their loved ones effectively. 

Calico also plans to establish a non-profit organization in 2026 to provide grants for families who may struggle to pay for long-term home care but do not qualify for benefits. “This missing piece of support is personal for me; my grandma, unfortunately, passed away in a long-term care facility, which was not her wish but rather what her finances allowed.” At Calico Home Care, the vision is clear: to redefine home health care by prioritizing both clients and caregivers, offering support and resources that empower families during their most challenging times.