In this eye-opening episode of Get Ready for Better Aging, host Jacqui Clark sits down with Vesna Ilich, owner and administrator of Monte Vista Manor, a six-bed residential care home in Vista, California. Together, they pull back the curtain on small but powerful care homes—also known as board and care homes—that offer hands-on, personalized support for seniors with high needs, including advanced dementia, mobility challenges, and end-of-life care.

Vesna shares her 20+ years of experience, the realities of staffing, licensing, and cost pressures, and why these homes are often misunderstood despite being licensed at the same level as large communities. With rising costs and shrinking numbers of these homes, the conversation becomes a wake-up call for families on how to plan for long-term care.

You’ll hear the heart, grit, and personal connection behind this overlooked model of care. Spoiler: It may just be theoption you never knew existed.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Vesna Illich (760) 685-2299

Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark)

Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: 

Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook-

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices