How Artful Home Care Brings Creativity, Compassion, and Community to Aging Care

When you meet someone who truly lives their mission, you feel it immediately. In this Care Across America interview, host Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN, sits down with Beth McNeil-Muhs, Owner and President of Artful Home Care in Southampton, New York, to explore what makes her agency so distinctive—and why their approach resonates deeply with families, caregivers, and the community.

As Artful Home Care heads into its 14th year in 2026, Beth reflects on the personal experiences, professional background, and heart-centered philosophy that shaped the agency’s name—and its purpose.

A Home Care Agency Born from Art, Family, and a Bigger “Why”

Beth didn’t start her career in healthcare—she began as a private art dealer and curator. Her husband is an artist, and creativity has always been part of their world. But as Beth shares in the interview, there came a moment when she and her husband realized it might be time to diversify their income—and she began looking toward work that felt meaningful and sustainable.

Her inspiration came close to home: her two grandmothers.

One grandmother remained active in her 80s—attending art classes, practicing yoga, volunteering, and even caregiving for others. The other faced mobility and health challenges, though she remained bright and cognitively sharp. Beth noticed something important: aging outcomes are shaped by more than medical issues—they’re also shaped by choices, stimulation, connection, and lifestyle.

That realization sparked a deeper curiosity—and soon, many “puzzle pieces” began falling into place. Her cousin owned a successful home care agency. A family friend had run one of the earliest nurse-owned agencies on Eastern Long Island and had provided care for well-known artists and community members. Beth began to see a path where care could be holistic, personalized, and creatively enriching—not simply task-based.

What Makes Artful Home Care Different: A Holistic, Lifestyle-First Model

One of the strongest themes in the interview is Beth’s belief that home care should be centered around the person—not just their needs, limitations, or diagnosis.

Artful Home Care was created to offer more than assistance—it was built to provide stimulation, purpose, and healing, often through creative and meaningful engagement.

Beth explains that their care plans may include:

• Listening to music that connects with a client’s memories
• Reading poetry written by the client or revisiting favorite works
• Encouraging creativity through simple art projects or crafts
• Supporting hobbies and interests that were important throughout a person’s life
• Helping clients reconnect with the identity they had before illness or aging changes occurred

She describes this as a “lifestyle approach”—one that honors history, individuality, and what makes life feel like life.

The Power of Music, Memory, and Meaningful Connection

During the conversation, Valerie and Beth reflect on how often the arts are overlooked in healthcare—and how impactful they can be, especially for individuals with memory loss.

Beth mentions the profound influence of the Music & Memory concept, which highlights how music can awaken response in individuals who may be nonverbal or deeply withdrawn. Valerie agrees: music therapy is one of the most visible examples of how an artistic tool can shift someone’s experience in a powerful way.

Beth explains that this kind of work is not just creative—it’s neurological. It’s about finding ways to reconnect the brain to familiar pathways and emotional memories. In her view, the arts aren’t “extra.” They are part of what makes care human.

Real-Life Inspiration: “What Lit Them Up?”

One of the most moving parts of the interview is Beth’s description of how rediscovering someone’s personal history can lead to remarkable transformation.

She shares an example of a person with dementia who had been nonverbal for nearly a decade. The caregiver explored the individual’s life story and discovered he had once been a saddle worker. When the caregiver brought an old saddle into the room, the man eventually walked over and began working on it—awakening a part of himself that had been dormant for years.

Beth’s message is clear:

Sometimes the key isn’t asking, “What can they do now?”
It’s asking, “What once mattered to them—and how can we bring that back?”

Training and Dementia Care Education: Building Skills with Heart

Beth also shares the steps she took early on to deepen her understanding of Alzheimer’s and dementia—recognizing the rapid rise in diagnoses and the importance of informed caregiving.

Artful Home Care worked with organizations such as:

• Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
• Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center

They participated in what Beth described as an extensive, multi-week credited training program. This helped the team understand disease progression, caregiver approaches, and how individualized dementia care truly needs to be.

A Fascinating Insight: Ballroom Dancing and Brain Health

Beth also highlights a surprising study she encountered: that ballroom dancing was shown to be exceptionally effective at slowing Alzheimer’s progression—at least compared to the medications available at the time (Beth referenced research from around 2016).

Why might dancing help? The combination of:

• music
• rhythm
• movement
• memory
• choreography
• social interaction

…activates multiple brain systems at once.

Valerie agrees that movement plus music makes intuitive sense: it’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and sensory—all working together.

Beth adds that simple “brain aerobics,” like brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand, can create new neural connections too. Her philosophy: it’s never too early to invest in brain health.

Community Outreach: Art for Health Conversations and Holistic Partners

Beth’s vision has always extended beyond individual client care. She wanted Artful Home Care to be a community resource, helping families discover tools that improve quality of life.

Before COVID, Artful Home Care hosted “Art for Health” lectures and discussions that included:

• pet therapists
• physical therapists
• art therapists
• nutritionists and chefs
• yoga and Tai Chi instructors
• movement-based emotional wellness programs

One particularly memorable guest was a dancer who created a concept called “Moving Through,” a program designed to help people move through emotions and physical restrictions in a way that restores calm and joy. Beth’s point: these resources often exist around us—but people may not know where to look. Home care agencies can help bridge that gap.

Recognition: Winning “Best of the Best” for Senior Care

A major celebration for Artful Home Care came through a community institution: Dan’s Paper, a well-known publication in the region.

Beth explains that businesses cannot nominate themselves. They must be nominated by the community—then voted on. In 2025, Artful Home Care was not only nominated for the first time, but also won:

✅ Best of the Best – Senior Care

Beth credits the win to the people who make the agency what it is:

• caregivers
• care coordinators
• clients and families
• referral partners
• the broader community

It’s a meaningful recognition—and they were preparing to celebrate the award with their team.

Hiring the Right Caregivers: Empathy, Reliability, and Calling

Beth and Valerie also discuss what families want to know most: how agencies choose caregivers.

Beth says it begins with the basics—professionalism, punctuality, and communication. But beyond that, Artful Home Care looks for:

• compassion
• empathy
• confidence
• strong references
• relationship-building ability
• a genuine calling to care

She believes great caregivers understand what families truly need: not just help, but trust. Adult children rely on caregivers to show up, connect, and be a steady presence for the person they love.

A Team with Diverse Backgrounds (Including Retired Nurses and Architects!)

One particularly interesting part of the interview: Beth describes how diverse their caregiver team is.

Yes, they have traditionally trained aides and care professionals—but they’ve also had caregivers who were:

• retired nurses (hospital and hospice experience)
• retired architects
• professionals from other backgrounds who entered caregiving after helping a friend or parent

This diversity, she says, helps them better match caregivers with clients—especially when shared interests or life experience can deepen connection.

Leadership That Stays Hands-On

Beth also shares something that speaks volumes: when care needs arise, she and her team will step in personally.

If a caregiver cancels last minute, Beth may go into the home herself. She describes those moments as some of the most rewarding—because it reconnects her to the purpose behind everything.

She recalls a peaceful day spent birdwatching on a porch with a long-time client, identifying birds and reflecting on freedom and life. It was a simple moment—yet deeply meaningful.

As Valerie notes, seniors have lived incredible lives. Sometimes caregiving is about being present enough to hear the stories.

Planning Your Legacy: Supporting Families Before Crisis Hits

Artful Home Care recently hosted a free community event called “Planning Your Legacy.” Beth explains that planning for end-of-life, long-term care, and financial preparedness shouldn’t begin in someone’s 70s—because options may be limited by then.

The event included:

• an estate attorney
• financial advisors
• a life insurance specialist
• education on home care costs and caregiving realities

Beth emphasizes that many families still believe outdated information about insurance, long-term care benefits, and estate planning. She also shares a key insight: on Long Island, home values alone may make trusts and estate plans relevant for many middle-class families—not just the ultra-wealthy.

And importantly, Beth reminds families that quality of life can extend well into the 80s and 90s—her own grandmother is 94. Planning now can mean freedom later.

A Message of Gratitude—and a Call to Use Your Community Resources

As the interview closes, what stands out most is gratitude.

Beth expresses deep appreciation for her caregivers, the community, and the opportunity to serve. Valerie echoes that appreciation for all who work tirelessly to support seniors.

Together, their conversation reminds us of something essential:

✅ Home care is not only about safety and support.
✅ It’s also about identity, dignity, and meaning.
✅ It’s about connection—through art, music, movement, memory, and presence.

Final Thoughts: Why This Interview Matters

Beth McNeil-Muhs and Artful Home Care offer a powerful example of what’s possible when care is designed around the whole person.

Their approach blends:

• compassionate caregiving
• creative enrichment
• community education
• proactive planning
• and a deep respect for every client’s life story

This isn’t just home care. It’s artful care—care that sees seniors as individuals still capable of joy, growth, and connection.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in South Fork, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at (631) 685-5001