Local Resident Begins Second Career by Opening Senior Care Business

       Nicol Rupolo has always dreamed of owning a business that could help people, but with a degree in finance and a 25 year career track in the corporate sector, she found that transitioning to a new career was not as easy as she had imagined. After reviewing her options, Rupolo decided to pursue a senior care business and opened ComForcare Senior Services at 259 Main Street, Suite 4. Rupolo serves Lower Fairfield County. She opened her business in February of 2014 and since then she has been able to feel the fulfillment that her previous career was lacking. 

        “While I was in corporate America, at some point I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare industry,” Rupolo said. “My last career was no longer fulfilling after 25 years. Managers would tell me that I didn’t quite fit in the corporate world because of how much I enjoy working directly with other people, but when I applied for jobs in a healthcare company I was always told that I didn’t have enough healthcare experience. My experience was more technical but my passion has always been people oriented.”

        ComForcare offers home care services to seniors and others on an hourly, daily, weekly or 24/7 care basis. Personal-care services include bathroom assistance, dressing and oral hygiene, recording of vital medical signs, hands-on bathing and more. All ComForcare aids are Certified Nurse Assistants, and all care plans are customized to fit the needs of the family and the loved one who needs this specialized support.

       Rupolo remained in the tech field until she was laid off due to corporate restructuring. When this happened she knew she could continue to look for another job with the risk of another layoff or she could finally accomplish her lifelong dream of becoming a business owner. She chose to combine her background in finance with her enthusiasm for making a difference in people’s lives and open ComForcare.

       “I am a very compassionate individual, and I wanted to put my head down at night and feel like I made a difference,” Rupolo said. “I love caring for people, and because of my previous career I know how to build relationships and put together a team that wants to do good things. It’s been a nice transition, and I’m optimistic that things will only get better.”

       In addition to running operations at ComForcare, Rupolo also gives presentations on nutrition and other healthcare topics. She is also involved with a sing-along music therapy program designed to help seniors with dementia.

       “I’m really interested in dementia care, largely because of the statistics coming out of the Alzheimer’s Association,” Rupolo said. “I believe our seniors need care and respect as they go into this unknown world, and in the future I’d like to see our office become certified in specialized dementia care. Working with and providing care for our clients, we hope to get closer to a cure, or at least understanding this disease a little more.”

       Founded in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., ComForcare Senior Services has 165 franchise owners operating 190 territories in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. ComForcare plans to add approximately 40 new locations in 2014.