The Keen Home Care Promise To You

“We’ll take great care of your loved one in their own home,
and when needed, in our homes for assisted living.”

About Us

In 2005, after dozens of combined years serving seniors and their families, we were frustrated with the prevalence of low-quality facilities, insincere and unaffected service providers, and regular premature institutionalization of seniors. It was wrong.

So, we decided to change that.

Keen Home Care began with the mission of “helping even more families in ever more profound ways.” Those were the words we agreed would get us started, and we weren’t sure exactly how we were going to do it, but we pooled our very small savings and got on with it.

Now, with nearly 100 combined years of experience in assisting seniors and their families, and with comprehensive and diverse clinical backgrounds in nursing, therapy, and social work, and our laser-focused sensitivity to the overpowering and disrupting stress that families must incorporate into their lives, we enjoy most being viewed by our many clients as “one of their family.” It’s the most wonderful accomplishment to us.

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Our Top Priority

Your Comfort and Care, and your Family’s Peace of Mind

memory care
  • Nearly 100 credentialled and dedicated Keen employees – not freelancers – to care for you in your own home.
  • Three beautiful assisted living homes in the greater Long Beach area, staffed 24/7 with Keen employees. (a Huntington Beach location coming soon)
  • Fully licensed, bonded and insured.
  • High Satisfaction rankings by our clients, families, and senior transition advocates and colleagues.
  • We welcome care partners from visiting physicians to skilled home health agencies, podiatrists, dental hygienists, salon services, and hospice care partners.
  • We fully explain all care options and how to work through the healthcare system.
  • Our Geriatric Care Managers develop comprehensive plans for individuals whose needs range from in-home caregiver support to end-of-life care.
  • We help to stabilize chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure, COPD, diabetes, Parkinsonism, and dementia, to minimize hospitalizations and institutionalization.
  • We advise seniors and disabled individuals how to modify their homes to promote independence and reduce falls and other injuries.
  • We provide referrals to trusted physicians, fiduciaries, elder law attorneys, trust officers, financial advisors, and CPAs to help safeguard our clients’ health and wealth.

What is Keen?

Keen Home Care fosters communications between seniors and their families, and all health care professionals, during every lifestyle transition and through the toughest moments.

Keen [keen]

Adjective

  1. Extremely sensitive or responsive: keen heart; keen attention
  2. Showing great mental penetration or acumen: keen reasoning; keen anticipation
  3. Showing strong feeling or desire: keen emotion; keen sensitivity; keen devotion

Home [hohm]

Noun

  1. A house, apartment or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family or household.
  2. The place in which one’s domestic affections are centered.

Care [kair]

Noun

  1. A cause or object of worry, anxiety, concern, etc.

Verb (used without object)

  1. Have thought or regard
  2. Have a special preference

Verb (used with object)

  1. To feel concern about
  2. To wish, desire, like
people

Our Vision

To be known as the trusted and expert resource for seniors and their families, achieving the best outcomes and peace of mind through collaborative care.

people

Our Mission

To provide loving care and respect to our clients, while elevating their dignity and quality of life with a strong sense of home and family, no matter the circumstances.

Keen Home Care Values

team

Keen Home Care
Leadership Team

1

Machelle Thompson, PT, CMC

Founder & CEO

Machelle has more than three decades of experience in the senior and home care services industry. She founded Keen Home Care with two like-minded colleagues in 2005 “to change the way aging seniors were prematurely placed into institutions.”

Machelle wanted to provide alternative options that allowed seniors to live in the comfort of their own homes as long as possible, and when it was absolutely necessary, then transition into assisted living.

Machelle Thompson, PT, CMC

Founder & CEO

Machelle has more than three decades of experience in the senior and home care services industry. She founded Keen Home Care with two like-minded colleagues in 2005 “to change the way aging seniors were prematurely placed into institutions.”

Machelle wanted to provide alternative options that allowed seniors to live in the comfort of their own homes as long as possible, and when it was absolutely necessary, then transition into assisted living.

Machelle and her partners named the business "Keen" to represent their mission to provide “insightful care” to seniors and their families, with compassion and sensitivity during what is often the most challenging and emotional transition in a loved one's life.

Keen Home Care isn’t just a name on a sign. It’s how we define the care we deliver, and we never waver from it.

Machelle grew up in Southern California and decided Long Beach would be her home in 1982. After taking care of her parents at the age of six, Machelle served meals at an assisted living facility while in high school, at the age of 16. From these experiences, she knew providing care for seniors would be her mission in work and in life.

After graduating from Mount St. Mary's University in 1990 with a degree in physical therapy, Machelle worked in acute-care hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health, and skilled nursing facilities in operational and leadership roles. Machelle became a Geriatric Care Manager in 2005, the same year she started Keen. Nine years later, she opened her first board and care home.

Today, Keen Home Care employs nearly 100 caregivers and owns and operates three assisted living homes (board and care homes) in the greater Long Beach area, with plans to open a fourth in Huntington Beach in mid 2023.

Machelle enjoys collaborating with her leadership team, caregivers in the field, seniors, their families, physicians, therapists, hospice employees, and others to ensure a harmonized care team. Daily, Machelle engages with inquirers, interviews interested families, establishes care regimens, and helps helps coordinate client transitions from hospital to home, and from home to assisted living. She’s even been seen picking up materials at Home Depot to help someone quickly modify their bathroom for their aging parent.

Machelle loves tennis, boating, music, and traveling in her free time.

Machelle’s Professional Affiliations, Service & Memberships

  • Home Care Association of America, Member
  • Estate Planning and Trust Council of Long Beach, Past President
  • Alamitos Bay Neighbors, Expert Contributor for Home Care & Assisted Living
  • Women Presidents Organization (Orange County II Chapter), Member
  • Community Hospital of Long Beach, Foundation Board Member
  • Professional Fiduciary Association of America, Member
  • Executives Association of Long Beach, Past President and Former Member
  • Long Beach Yacht Club, Club 100 Member

Licenses & Certifications

  • Registered Physical Therapist (PT)
  • Licensee for Rossmoor Home Assisted Living Facility (RCFE), License #306005289
  • Licensee for Keen Home Long Beach (RCFE), License #198320199
  • Licensee for Keen Home Harvard (RCFE), License #306006299
  • Care Manager Certificate (CMC)
  • Completed Fiduciary Curriculum, CSUF
Read More

2

Ginny Dutile, MA, RCFE, CMC

Vice President, Operations & Geriatric Care Manager

Ginny engaged professionally with Keen Home Care in early 2006 and became a full-time team member in 2012. She serves as our Vice President of Operations and as a Life Care Manager (Geriatric Care Manager). With her extensive background and training, she collaborates with seniors, their families, and associated care teams to manage difficult behaviors, coordinate seniors’ end-of-life transitions, advise on changes in care and lifestyle, and aid in contingency planning.

Ginny Dutile, MA, RCFE, CMC

Vice President, Operations & Geriatric Care Manager

Ginny engaged professionally with Keen Home Care in early 2006 and became a full-time team member in 2012. She serves as our Vice President of Operations and as a Life Care Manager (Geriatric Care Manager). With her extensive background and training, she collaborates with seniors, their families, and associated care teams to manage difficult behaviors, coordinate seniors’ end-of-life transitions, advise on changes in care and lifestyle, and aid in contingency planning.

It is a hallmark of Ginny's personal and professional mission to assist families through difficult conversations and to assist in the completion of appropriate documents (Durable Powers of Attorney for Healthcare and Finances and Advanced Directives) to protect their affairs, care wishes, and end of life transitions appropriately and safely.

Ginny earned her master's degree in clinical psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1996 and began her career as a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP). Her early responsibilities included implementing, evaluating, and monitoring programs for developmentally disabled adults and developing new training and orientation programs for entering high potential professionals.

During the following16 years, and prior to joining Keen full-time, Ginny was part of a team that opened two board-and-care facilities for developmentally disabled adults in Southern California. Ginny directed operations in several rehabilitation facilities as the Director of Social Services and became certified as a Nursing Home Administrator and Executive Director for RCFEs (Residential Care for the Elderly).

Ginny loves cooking, dancing, music, and keeping up with her family and friends.

Professional Affiliations & Service

  • MarineParents.com, Volunteer
  • Home Care Association of America, Member
  • Estate Planning and Trust Council of Long Beach, Member
  • Professional Fiduciary Association of California, Member
  • Aging Life Professional Association, Member

Licenses & Certifications

  • Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology (MA)
  • Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP)
  • Care Manager Certified (CMC)
  • RCFE Administrator (RCFE #6035000740)
Read More

3

Alma Hernandez

Care Manager Assistant

Alma Hernandez

Care Manager Assistant

When Alma was a young girl, she watched over her younger siblings, which instilled in her, the value of caring for others. At age 15, she immigrated to the United States from a small town about eight hours south of Mexico City. Given Alma’s passion for caregiving and a relentless, caring attitude, she’s become one of Keen’s most valuable team members and leaders. Her warmth and endless energy are noticed and appreciated by everyone she encounters. She creates a vibe that is inspiring.

Alma joined the Keen Home Care team in 2007 as a part-time caregiver and quickly excelled, earning a promotion to Caregiver Team Leader in 2008. Alma’s dedication to the Keen Home Care mission, clients, and team members continued, uninterrupted, for the next 12 years, and she became a Care Manager Assistant in 2020. Her passion for helping her clients one-on-one never waivers.

In her current role, Alma supports various Keen Care Managers by working with those seeking services to identify the best elder care options for their circumstances and providing specialized advice.

Alma wishes to play an even more significant role in the lives of her clients, so she’s continuing her education in nutrition to provide guidance and structure to her client’s diets. She also assists with exercise and rehabilitation programs.

Before joining Keen, Alma was a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in a nursing home.

Alma enjoys hiking, going to the gym, running, and traveling in her free time.

Certifications

  • Certified Nursing Assistant
View Bio

4

Roberta (Robbi) Anderson

Accounts Manager

Roberta (Robbi) Anderson

Accounts Manager

Robbi’s client-first mentality and sincere desire to help the Keen team purposefully serve its clients is what makes her an exceptional part of the Keen team as our Accounts Manager. She shares the team's philosophy of providing top-tier care and accommodating solutions to their clients and makes sure the business runs smoothly and correctly.

Robbi is primarily responsible for payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and compliance. She also uses her vast education and counselor experience to provide support to the broader Keen team when needed.

Robbi earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and spent many years as a counselor in very difficult situations before joining the Keen Home Care team as Accounts Manager in 2015.

During her free time, Robbi enjoys making jewelry, going for daily walks, exploring Long Beach's coffee shops, and traveling the world through local restaurants. She is also part of Mensa International.

View Bio

5

LaToya Johnson

Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) Administrator – Keen Board and Care Homes

LaToya Johnson

Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) Administrator – Keen Board and Care Homes

LaToya was attracted to caregiving through her deep sense of purpose and the rewards it provides her; in her view, providing care to people changes her life for the better.

LaToya joined the Keen team in 2020 as a Client Care Coordinator working with clients, their families, and groups of healthcare providers, to match each client with the most suitable and trustworthy care teams possible.

She earned her RCFE in 2021 and was promoted to her current role as RCFE Administrator of Keen Homes shortly after. LaToya’s responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing the food service, preparing weekly menus, organizing medical visits, planning weekly staff schedules, training new staff, planning games, trips, and other events, and ensuring a clean and safe environment.

Prior to joining Keen, LaToya was a Certified Nursing Assistant for an endocrinologist for four years. She then started as a caregiver and expanded her responsibilities at an assisted living facility to become the Activities Director, and then a Shift Lead.

Outside of work, LaToya enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Her favorite activities include swimming, biking, and spending Sundays at her mom's house.

Certifications

  • Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), 2021
  • Certified Nursing Assistant, 2009
View Bio

6

Christine Yap

Director of Care & Staff Development

Christine Yap

Director of Care & Staff Development

From childhood to maturity, Christine witnessed her parents’ selfless acts of kindness, caring for others and even saving lives. She was nine years old when she and her older brother helped provide care for their mother, who received two artificial heart valves. It was during that time that Christine first trained in vital signs monitoring, medication, and oxygen administration, first aid, and basic life support.

In every interaction with clients, family members, care collaborators, and our staff, Christine makes a powerful impact. She listens with empathy while also intently focusing on every client’s needs. She’s inspired by every smile and makes our clients feel important. Her never-ending attention to detail, guidance, and sincere compassion is shared with our team with the goal of providing person-centered care.

Christine’s responsibilities include overseeing the in-home care clients as well as staff of both our in-home care and our Keen Homes for Assisted Living, coordinating care throughout Keen’s service area from the southern part of Los Angeles County to the northern part of Orange County. Like all Keen staff, Christine provides professional hands-on care with most clients, communicating directly with families and representatives, engaging with numerous care collaborators, and providing support to Keen staff with their daily tasks.

Christine also directs Keen staff training and development through planning, implementation, and monitoring various development programs and activities from entry level to career development and leadership effectiveness.

Christine joined the Keen team in 2020 after ten years as Quality Care Manager for a home care organization and Client Care Coordinator for a Domestic Referral Agency. She was also a Direct Care Staff member from 2003 to 2007 in three Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly in Mission Viejo.

Her hobbies include playing volleyball, gardening, baking and cooking, listening to music, traveling, and being close to nature.

Certifications

  • Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication 1988
  • Nursing Assistant Course 2005
  • Licensed RCFE Administrator
View Bio

7

Sandra Lara-Lee

Client Care Coordinator

Sandra Lara-Lee

Client Care Coordinator

Sandra began caring for her own grandmother at the age of 22 and relishes the fact that that so many of Keen’s clients get to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Sandra feels a deep sense of purpose by providing quality care and support to Keen clients with passion and respect to all seniors and their families.

Sandra joined the Keen team in 2022 as Client Care Coordinator. In this role, she oversees the administrative details of each client’s engagement with Keen and matches specific caregivers to clients depending on the client’s needs and requirements.

Earlier, Sandra earned her associate degree in paralegal studies and quickly became a paralegal to assist in case planning, development, and management for an attorney’s office, for several years.

Sandra officially entered the home care industry 15 years ago as a caregiver for a private client. That experience resulted in Sandra deciding to make the complete career switch to caregiver, because she realized an overwhelming desire to help others and provide them with a comfortable life in their own home.

She became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in and worked within the In-Home Support Services Program in California, prior to joining Keen.

Sandra is a Long Beach resident and loves spending time with her 12-year-old daughter, reading, and traveling.

Certifications

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
View Bio

8

Adrien Herbas

Director of Operations – Keen Homes

Adrien Herbas

Director of Operations – Keen Homes

Much of Adrien’s life has been devoted to caregiving, as he fell into this career path after caring for his grandfather after a stroke in 2006. Adrien’s dedication played a crucial role in helping his grandfather recover. Later, Adrien watched his grandfather battle with dementia exposing Adrien to the disease’s impact on seniors and their loved ones. This experience with his loved one made a significant impact.

In his role at Keen, Adrien oversees the day-to-day operations for each of Keen’s Board and Care homes. He maintains the integrity of each home, ensuring care consistency across each, and handles all administrative functions. Adrien oversees the admissions process and ensures that we uphold state operating requirements for each home. But he likes to go further, like he did when caring for his grandfather. State requirements are fine, but Adrien’s sense of family responsibility and duty motivate him even more.

Before joining Keen in 2021, Adrien held the position of business office manager at an assisted living facility and was an administrator in training for two years. Before that, he was an administrative assistant for a board-and-care facility from 2016 to 2019 and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at a southern California nursing home.

Adrien received his Medical Assistant certificate in 2010, his CNA certificate in 2012, and his Certificate for Human Resources in 2019. He’s also a Certified Dementia Practitioner and part of the Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) Association.

Outside of Keen, Adrien spends time with his wife and two sons. They embark on small road trips and take as many vacations as possible.

Certifications

  • Certificate for Human Resources, 2019
  • Certified Nursing Assistant, 2012
  • Medical Assistant Certification, 2010
  • Certified Dementia Practitioner
  • Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) administrator
View Bio

9

Tina Yslas

Care Manager Assistant

Tina Yslas

Care Manager Assistant

Tina has been in the caregiving industry since she was exposed to caregiving 25 years ago when her grandmother required in-home care. This motivated her to seek a caregiving role to work alongside her mother, Vivian, who also is a part-time caregiver for Keen.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education, and teaching in the Philippines, Tina worked for several years before relocating to the United States in the mid-1990s. She immediately worked in caregiving and earned her Residential Care Facility Administrator certificate in 2004. Her accomplishments resulted in several promotions in her early career, which eventually resulted in her becoming the human resources director at a senior living facility for eight years.

Tina joined the Keen team in 2019 as a caregiver, and now serves as Care Manager Assistant. In this role, Tina oversees the quality of care and services provided to Keen clients. She works closely with both clients and caregivers to ensure each client receives the best care and solutions possible for their unique situations. Tina also supports the Keen team with administrative functions in the office.

In her free time, Tina loves to explore new foods and restaurant hop.

Certifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree, Philippines
  • Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) Administrator, 2004
View Bio

What Others Are Saying About Us

“I cannot say enough good things about Keen Home Care. Everything was taken care of: medicines, doctor visits, cooking, shopping, etc. We got so attached to the caretakers. ”

– Janice K.

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Have questions about your loved one’s transitioning needs for care?

Please complete the form below with your question(s) and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

If your questions or needs are urgent, please call us:

Direct: (562) 438-5336

Toll-Free: (877) 852-2737

(24/7 real person response)

You can also email us directly at: [email protected]