Zach Schneider - Seniors Helping Seniors - 01/14/2026

·25 min·2 clips

The founder of Seniors Helping Seniors worked alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta, shaping its mission.

The episode opens with hosts Julie Nelson and Chris McGruder on Iowa Catholic Radio, starting with a prayer and introducing their virtue card tradition as an alternative to New Year's resolutions. They explain that virtue cards involve drawing a random virtue to focus on for the year, each associated with a saint and prayer. Julie draws devotion to the Eucharistic Jesus, Chris draws love of neighbor, and guest Zach Schneider draws sagacity, which he relates to discernment in his business. Zach is introduced as a graduate of Loris College living in West Des Moines with his wife Elena. He owns Seniors Helping Seniors, a non-medical in-home care company that employs seniors to help other seniors. After a break, Zach details the services, which include companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, mobility assistance, and dementia care. He emphasizes matching caregivers based on shared interests and experiences to reduce social isolation, noting that 64% of Iowans over 65 are socially isolated. Zach discusses how dementia care focuses on safety and engagement rather than cure, and mentions that progression can vary. The hosts explore the business's origins, revealing it was founded by Kieran Yoakam, who worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta. Mother Teresa's influence is highlighted through quotes about loving those closest to home and service as a fruit of faith. Zach shares that his family prayed for a service-oriented business and found this model inspiring. The episode concludes with contact information for Seniors Helping Seniors and a closing prayer for the aging population.

As heard by us

Zach Schneider's account of dementia care finds dignity in patient presence and the everyday work of keeping someone safe.

The episode sets the dignity of aging alongside the everyday realities of care, following Zach Schneider as he describes Seniors Helping Seniors and its work with people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for a humane, Catholic conversation about meeting someone with dementia or Alzheimer's where they are.

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