The Power of Showing Up: Brendan’s Caregiver Story
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Brendan has always been a giver. Whether working with at-risk youth in Boston or helping his community however he can, showing up for others has simply been his way of life.
So when his father Stephen’s health began to decline, Brendan didn’t hesitate. He stepped up.
“I’ve seen him do it for his dad when my grandfather got sick and my mom do it for her mother when my grandmother got ill with cancer. I don’t think there’s really a question of if you’re going to do it or not. You just do it.” Brendan shared.
Stephen, a retired Boston city worker and proud grandfather, lives with neuropathy and relies on Brendan for daily care and support. Between long days working with young men and women in the community and juggling family responsibilities, Brendan’s plate was full.
“It’s a lot,” he says. “I’m trying to juggle kids at court, school, home, and my dad. It’s like my mind is always in three different places. But you do what you have to do for the people you love.”
A Letter That Changed Everything
Like many family caregivers, Brendan didn’t expect compensation—or even much support. That changed when his father received a piece of mail from Entyre Care and made the call. Brendan figured it was junk mail—another flyer or ad. But when the team showed up, that changed.
“Jackie and Lauren—those two right there. We hit it off from the beginning. They’re not just working here. You can tell they actually care.”
Jaclyn, their care manager, and Lauren, their nurse, didn’t just drop in and check boxes—they built a relationship. They listened. They stayed. And they showed Brendan what it feels like to be supported.
From Giving to Receiving
Thanks to Entyre Care’s Caregiver Compensation Program, Brendan now receives a monthly stipend for the care he’s already been giving, along with regular check-ins and a care team that actually understands his day-to-day.
“It’s good to feel like someone’s got your back,” Brendan says. “There’s days I forget that they’re stopping by, and I come home and they’re just sitting here with my dad and having a coffee. It’s just nice to see. They’ve been a blessing.”
And while Brendan never expected anything in return, the impact of being recognized is undeniable. “When something like that comes into your life, it changes things for you, and it definitely makes you look at things differently. In this day and age, nobody really, really cares about the next person. But here, when you have somebody else that truly cares about your dad and who knows what they’re doing, it helps dramatically.”
For someone who’s spent his life showing up for others, it’s a rare and powerful thing to feel seen, supported—and cared for in return.
For Everyone Who Gives Without Asking
Brendan and Stephen’s story is a familiar one for many families. But unlike most, theirs has taken a turn toward support—toward ease, and maybe even a little relief.
Entyre Care was created for people like Brendan. For those who give without asking, and keep showing up, even when it’s hard. Because even the strongest caregivers need someone in their corner, too.
If you’ve spent your life showing up for others, Entyre Care is here to show up for you.
