Partnerships
Bringing conversation, connection, and legacy capture to elder care
A partnership rooted in stories
Did you know that revisiting familiar personal stories, meaningful conversation, and deeper connection with older adults can bring moments of joy, improve sleep and mood, and remind them of their life purpose? And that those benefits translate directly to health and wellness benefits, lower levels of social isolation, and better job satisfaction for caregivers themselves?
At Just Like Family Home Care, we know care is about more than a checklist—it’s about the real moments that make someone feel seen, supported, and connected. It’s about recognizing the person behind the care plan and showing up in a way that honours who they are.
That’s why we’re proud to share our new partnership with Root & Seed, a storytelling company whose mission aligns beautifully with ours to honour each elder’s unique life story and build bonds between generations. This is where conversation meets care.
Why stories matter in care
When our caregivers take time to ask elders about their lives, whether it’s about their first pet, a special person who made a big impact on their lives, or a favourite family recipe they just can’t get enough of, something remarkable happens.
Their eyes light up, we get to hear their laugh, and we’re lucky enough to witness a side of older adults that’s often overlooked in traditional care settings. These moments often inspire new ideas for personalized activities or care approaches insights that only come from truly understanding what makes each person unique.
Just Like Family caregivers who are trained and certified to use Root & Seed tools report a higher level of pride in their work, a feeling that what they do creates lasting impact, and a desire to stay with Just Like Family long term as they grow their careers. This strengthens the care experience and supports the older adult in ways that truly matter, creating a positive, mutually supportive dynamic where everyone thrives.
Introducing the Root & Seed Kinkeeper Program
Through our collaboration with Root & Seed, Just Like Family caregivers are now Kinkeeper-Trained, equipped with conversation tools, access to a safe and secure recording tool (after consents are obtained), and use techniques designed with industry experts to spark meaningful conversations, even for clients with mild to moderate cognitive decline.
The Root & Seed Caregiver Prompts are playful, open-ended questions that invite elders to reflect on where they have come from, what brings them joy, and the legacy they hope to leave behind. Whether it’s reminiscing about a childhood friend, secrets to a family recipe (the kind you won’t find in a book), or passing down gems of wisdom, these prompts bring play and purpose into elders’ lives, often at a time they need it most.
As one caregiver shared:
“It’s remarkable what you can learn when you have the right training and tools. Some of the stories were so unexpected… and he loved it. He would absolutely do it again.”
— Brenda, PSW
Stories from the heart: Our Kinkeepers in action
Now, you might be wondering what this all leads to. The connection that results from using Root & Seed tools is felt almost instantly. It can strengthen relationships, deepen understanding, and create a more meaningful bond between two people who see each other every day. When the time is right, those conversations can be captured as audio or printed keepsakes, creating a lasting record of a loved one’s legacy.
Everyone loves a good deadline!
When Just Like Family caregivers learned of one client’s 80th birthday, the team got to work. Over the next 10 days, three Just Like Family caregivers shared the responsibility of recording stories anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes each using Root & Seed’s conversation tool. The result? Ten heartfelt recordings that captured hidden gems and glimpses of a life well lived—a priceless keepsake for family and friends.
Another client wasn’t quite sure what all this “storytelling” was about and felt hesitant to share. But, after one caregiver thoughtfully pre-planned a session using Root & Seed prompts, something clicked. With a “what the heck, let’s try it” attitude, the conversation unexpectedly unfolded into a full hour of laughter, honesty, and the kind of stories that had everyone covering their ears in surprise and delight.
It’s in moments like these that we see the value of this partnership come to life.
How we bring value to care facilities
Adding legacy capture to care enhances the caregiving experience not just for residents, but for everyone involved.
As one client beautifully shared:
“It’s reassuring to know that your stories will live on.”
— Joe
In long-term care and hospice settings, we lighten the emotional burden on care teams and offer resources that meaningfully enhance residents’ quality of life. For families, trust is also built in the knowledge that their loved one’s stories are in good hands.
Learn more about Kinkeeper Companion Care
The Just Like Family and Root & Seed partnership officially launched Fall 2025 in the Newmarket location, and we’re excited to expand the program across Canada.
To learn more about Kinkeeper Companion Care or to bring Root & Seed storytelling into your care facility, reach out to us or find your nearest Just Like Family Home Care to connect with them.
About Root & Seed
Root & Seed digital and physical tools leverage light-hearted prompts to start the conversations that matter, and to honour the people and places that shaped us. What began as a bridge between generations of loved ones has grown to include caregivers, community members, and colleagues, too. Offering space for dignity, memory, and meaning to take root.
The CBC, Toronto Star, and RepresentASIAN featured Root & Seed at launch, followed by Better Homes and Garden and Rolling Stone including R&S conversation cards as best gifts in their well-shopped 2023 and 2024 holiday gift guides. With recognition from AgeWell for fostering intergenerational bonds, The Webby Awards for a private and secure method of connection and The Anthem Awards for health-forward innovation, Root & Seed is carving out a human-first, technology-supported path in a digital world.
- Root & Seed : Rootandseed.com
- Root & Seed Conversation Cards
- Root & Seed Podcast