Where Care Feels Like Home
At Taking the Journey, every home is designed to be just that—a home.
We provide around-the-clock assisted living and memory care in peaceful residential settings filled with warmth, compassion, and purpose. Our dedicated team takes the time to truly know each resident—their routines, preferences, and stories—so that care feels personal, never clinical. From daily activities and nourishing meals to medication management and emotional support, every detail is thoughtfully tailored to each individual’s needs. Our goal is simple: to help your loved one live each day with comfort, dignity, and joy in an environment that feels like family.
What Our Clients Say
Care Rooted in Family, Guided by Heart
At Taking the Journey, compassionate care begins at home.
Founded and operated by Kelly and Kisa Eriksen, Taking the Journey is a privately run family business built on a simple belief: exceptional care comes from genuine connection. Together with their dedicated team, they’ve created warm, welcoming homes where seniors receive highly personalized care in a family-style setting. Kelly and Kisa take pride in maintaining their own standards of care — not those dictated by corporate models or one-size-fits-all systems. Their hands-on approach, adaptability, and deep respect for each resident’s individuality set them apart. Every decision, every smile, and every act of kindness is guided by heart, ensuring that both residents and families feel seen, supported, and truly at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
1When is care appropriate?
There will never be a perfect time for this dramatic change. Some folks look ahead, get on our waiting list, and wait for a spot to come open. However the majority of folks we tour and advise, are in an emergency placement scenario. Don't let it get there!! We recommend looking as far ahead as you possibly can so that you are prepared when life's challenges come a knocking. That being said, life happens and we get stuck in these make it or break it scenarios. A medical event cam catch Amy of us by surprise. Know your options, and know your rights when it comes to dealing with an urgent discharge from the hospital or a skilled nursing facility.
2What's the difference between skilled nursing and residential care?
Skilled nursing focuses on acute medical issue as it pertains to care and restoration of physical issue. Skilled nursing facilities also known as snf's, have medical oversight. Nurses and doctors on staff, ready to make and implement medical decisions.
Care facilities are technically non-medical for the most part. However in our care facility, we communicate very closely with both families as well as medical teams and primary care physicians. We are not doing any IV's, Injections (beyond insulin), or feeding tubes. The best way to describe broadly is to say that we don't put anything in the body ourselves. We assist in self administration of medications. Catheters, ostomy bags, insulin maintenance and many other items are permissible in our facilities. This does not stop us from working with and implementing a whole host of services from physical therapy to occupational therapy and much much more.
Care facilities are technically non-medical for the most part. However in our care facility, we communicate very closely with both families as well as medical teams and primary care physicians. We are not doing any IV's, Injections (beyond insulin), or feeding tubes. The best way to describe broadly is to say that we don't put anything in the body ourselves. We assist in self administration of medications. Catheters, ostomy bags, insulin maintenance and many other items are permissible in our facilities. This does not stop us from working with and implementing a whole host of services from physical therapy to occupational therapy and much much more.
3What is hospice care?
There are many misconceptions out there in regards to hospice. Especially among the elderly. Many think hospice equates to giving up, going heavy on morphine, and waiting for the end.
We can't speak about all hospice organizations out there. However, with our hospice partnership, nothing could be further from the truth.
Hospice care means that moving forward, our main goal in care will be comfort rather than anything overly restorative. With hospice, we are no longer calling 911 and going to the hospital with some potential caveats. No more IV's, feeding tubes, or surgeries. Other than that, nothing we have been doing with a current care plan, medications, and day to day care, needs to change. We can still do oral antibiotics for something like a uti or underlying infection. We can treat anything from a cough to pneumonia, and much much more. For us, Hospice means that we now have nurses and doctors at our fingertips, 24/7/365 for any and all issues that present themselves. We could NOT do what we do, without the support of our local Hospice in Petaluma. The relationships we have built over the past 12 years gives us everything we need to meet the needs, of our residents and their families. With Hospice, we now have medical oversight for any and all comfort focused care.
We can't speak about all hospice organizations out there. However, with our hospice partnership, nothing could be further from the truth.
Hospice care means that moving forward, our main goal in care will be comfort rather than anything overly restorative. With hospice, we are no longer calling 911 and going to the hospital with some potential caveats. No more IV's, feeding tubes, or surgeries. Other than that, nothing we have been doing with a current care plan, medications, and day to day care, needs to change. We can still do oral antibiotics for something like a uti or underlying infection. We can treat anything from a cough to pneumonia, and much much more. For us, Hospice means that we now have nurses and doctors at our fingertips, 24/7/365 for any and all issues that present themselves. We could NOT do what we do, without the support of our local Hospice in Petaluma. The relationships we have built over the past 12 years gives us everything we need to meet the needs, of our residents and their families. With Hospice, we now have medical oversight for any and all comfort focused care.
4How do I pick a care facility?
You, will always know your loved one best. Trust your gut, and trust your nose. Go out and visit as many care facilities as you possibly can. Wait for that special feeling telling you this could be the one. What are your goals in care? Privacy? Socializing? Comfort focused? Therapy focused? Are we looking for physical issues to resolve and improve? Are we concerned about cognition and specific stimulation beit too much stimulation or not enough? See what is available to you and look ahead of time!! Trust your gut and trust your nose.
5How do I look up a care facilities record?
All senior care facilities in California, other than skilled nursing and hospitals, are governed by the California Department of Social Services. Title 22 and the CA health and safety code are our governing texts.
At cdss.ca.gov, there are phenomenal search tools. Go to this website and then.... find licensed facilities, search for facilities, all facility types, then plug in the city in which you are looking for only. Every single licensed care facility in the city you choose will be liated in front of you. You will be able to see any complaints, any type B citations, any type A citations, and notes from LPA inspectors. Do your homework but take everything with a grain of salt. This is a highly emotional field we work in.
At cdss.ca.gov, there are phenomenal search tools. Go to this website and then.... find licensed facilities, search for facilities, all facility types, then plug in the city in which you are looking for only. Every single licensed care facility in the city you choose will be liated in front of you. You will be able to see any complaints, any type B citations, any type A citations, and notes from LPA inspectors. Do your homework but take everything with a grain of salt. This is a highly emotional field we work in.
6Will I have to move my loved one again?
The last thing you want to have to do is move your family member a 2nd or 3rd or 4th or 5th time. It is important to confirm with any facility wether or not they hold waivers to provide hospice care. Is this a large facility? Do I have to pay an additional 25k a month for round the clock one on one care at this already incredibly difficult time in our families life? Please do everything you can to understand not only what your loved ones care needs are now, but most importantly.... where those needs will be down the line. Some facilities will NOT do hospice care and you are then forced to move, when familiar and comfortable surroundings are of utmost importance in our humble opinion.
7What is a placement agent? Are they free?
Placement agents are agents, that help to direct you, hopefully to a good facility that is appropriate for your loved one. There is no cost to you generally. However the facility, will pay anywhere between 50-100% of the first months rent, as a commission to the agent. There are some very good Placement agents out there. That being said, there are many others out there as well. Be certain, your agent, if you choose to use one, is showing all of your options to you. Not solely the option that puts the highest commission in their pocket. If you haven't spoken to an agent for more than 10min, how can they know and understand your unique Journey and needs? Please don't be conned by the online platforms that have zero human interaction. Be certain that you are able to see all possible options in care. Small facilities, large facilities, or something in-between. Keep in mind that multiple moves equate to multiple referral fees for agents. Ask your agent to assist you with required paperwork like an lic602a physicians report.
8What is a physicians report/Lic602a?
A physicians report, often referred to as "A 602" is arguably the most important document in care. This is filled out by family and your loved ones primary care physician. It includes an overview of health, diagnosis, ambulatory statuses, cognitive or behavioral concerns, notes from the MD, etc etc etc. A good facility can look at this form and get a good synapses or overview of care needs both physical, emotional, and cognitive.
Also on the Lic602a is a section for TB testing. This can be a pain to get done especially in the midst of figuring out care. Often times a chest xray has been done relatively recently and is on file. Ask the doctor for this if at all possible so you don't have to go through getting another xray or even a ppd skin test wherein you must come, wait 2 days, then come back. Thankfully tuberculosis testing can also be done by a quick bloodraw these days as well. This is a steadfast requirement for placement so must be done.
Also on the Lic602a is a section for TB testing. This can be a pain to get done especially in the midst of figuring out care. Often times a chest xray has been done relatively recently and is on file. Ask the doctor for this if at all possible so you don't have to go through getting another xray or even a ppd skin test wherein you must come, wait 2 days, then come back. Thankfully tuberculosis testing can also be done by a quick bloodraw these days as well. This is a steadfast requirement for placement so must be done.