Caring for Seniors: Our Mission in San Diego County

A lifelong San Diego resident, I have always been driven by a deep commitment to caring for others. My journey into senior care began with my Aunt Alice, whose need for compassionate, dependable in‑home support opened my eyes to the profound impact quality care can have on individuals and their families. That experience inspired me to establish Golden Care, a licensed concierge non‑medical home care agency based in San Diego, California.

For more than thirteen years, Golden Care has proudly served seniors throughout San Diego County with an unwavering focus on safety, dignity, and personalized support. I believe exceptional care is built on a strong team foundation, and I am deeply involved in every aspect of our operations, from selecting and training caregivers to refining scheduling systems and maintaining transparent communication with families. My priority is ensuring every client is treated with the same respect and compassion I would want for my own loved ones.

Outside of my work, I’m passionate about entrepreneurship, staying active, and traveling. I also cherish spending quality time with my family, especially my mom and dad, who also live here in San Diego and continue to be a meaningful source of inspiration and support in my life.

Building Golden Care has allowed me to combine my love for innovation with my dedication to serving the community I call home. I welcome the opportunity to connect and share more about Golden Care’s mission and services.

Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Health Fitness Promotion and Programming in Corporate and Clinical Settings and Psychology. She received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology and utilizes her education and training when she converses with families in the home care arena. She excelled in pharmaceutical sales and sales training with Pfizer and Eli Lilly before making her way to Home Care. Helping to provide clients options for their health care and wellness needs has long been a motivating factor for her.

She enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, playing pickleball, and taking yoga classes.

“Whatever you’re not changing, you are choosing” – Laurie Buchanan

Amy Joiner, MSW, is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Amy is passionate about helping businesses make a difference and believes strongly in the power of connection and education. She focuses on bridging the gap between seniors and the resources that empower them.

She earned a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Cal Poly Humboldt and a Master’s in Social Work from Hawaii Pacific University.

Her career began in Oahu, where she worked with the Kapuna (grandparents) and co-founded a care management company with Professor William Hummel.

After moving to San Diego in 2012, she worked in the home care industry, gaining experience with dementia care and collaborating with caregivers and community partners.

Today, Amy is an experienced Care Manager with a strong background in hospital and healthcare settings. She is skilled in nonprofit organizations, home care, social services, strategic planning, and leadership development.

Her work combines professional expertise with a deep passion for supporting seniors with dignity and compassion.

Barry Howland, Client Services Manager, comes to the Golden Care team with over 14 years of home care experience working in several different capacities. He finds happiness in working directly with seniors in their home or facility setting, helping them maintain their independence and receive the care and support they need to live their best lives.

After graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Management and Marketing, Barry embarked on a career in publishing. He eventually realized, however, that his true passion was working with seniors. He started his own home care company first and, since then, has worked for other home care agencies, big and small, local and national.

Barry is passionate about caregiving largely because of his great-grandmother Ruth, his dearest friend and the most inspirational person in his life. Ruth lived to be 104 years old and was a great role model for the aging population. When he’s not working, Barry enjoys spending time with his daughters and grandchildren, hanging out with friends, listening to live music, and watching football. Barry’s compassion for seniors and the caregivers who care for them is unequivocal.

Gail is a compassionate Home Care Professional with over 10 years of experience serving San Diego County. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Diego State University and is deeply committed to providing dignified, high-quality care to seniors and individuals in need.

Her passion for caregiving is deeply rooted in personal experience, having supported both her mother and late father. She cared for her father throughout his five-year battle with cancer, advocating for his care and providing hands-on support every step of the way.

Gail has extensive experience matching caregivers with clients and building meaningful, lasting relationships that enhance quality of life. She has also held leadership roles overseeing caregiving teams and home care operations, ensuring exceptional service delivery.

She is proud to be part of the Golden Care team, where she helps caregivers grow professionally while making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Judybel P. Jarina is a dedicated Scheduling Manager at Golden Care with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Throughout her career, she has worked as a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), caregiver, and now Scheduling Manager, bringing a well-rounded and compassionate approach to her role.

As Scheduling Manager, Judybel focuses on creating strong client and caregiver matches to ensure compatibility and quality care. She is committed to meeting performance goals while maintaining an organized and efficient workflow.

Judybel is passionate about senior home care, with her values and principles guiding her commitment to excellence, collaboration, and genuine care in everything she does.

In her free time, Judybel enjoys trying new restaurants, hiking, camping, and attending shows or concerts of her favorite comedians and music artists with family and friends.