When she was 17 years old and a student at Hahnville High School, Kaitlyn Oliver took her first-ever job at an assisted living center.
Since then, Oliver has not worked in any other field.
“I became very passionate about my job,” Oliver said. “Senior care became my calling from then on.”
Oliver is now a certified nursing assistant, and she has worked for the past 11 years in senior care with positions spanning long-term care, senior living communities, hospitals, home health care and hospice.
Those experiences became the foundation for Southern Comfort Caregivers, a home care agency Oliver opened in the parish. The business held its ribbon cutting July 10 at 945 Paul Maillard Rd in Luling.
“Throughout my years of experience in healthcare, I saw how much families struggled to find dependable, compassionate in-home care they could trust,” Oliver said. “I wanted to create a company where families could have peace of mind knowing their loved ones were cared for with dignity, respect and genuine compassion.”
Southern Comfort Caregivers offers personal care, companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, respite care for family caregivers, dementia support, and assistance with daily living.
“Our goal is to provide care that truly feels like family,” Oliver said.
For Oliver, caregiving has always been about making a difference in someone’s everyday life.
“Whether helping someone stay independent at home or simply being there to listen, I’ve seen how meaningful compassionate care can be—not just for the client, but for their entire family,” she said.
Families are also busier than ever, she said, and are trying to balance careers, children and caring for aging parents.
“Many families experience caregiver burnout,” Oliver said. “Often, they don’t realize it’s okay to ask for help. Our role is to support both the senior and the family, so no one must carry that responsibility alone. We’re here to bridge that gap by providing reliable, compassionate support so seniors can maintain their independence while giving families peace of mind.”
Oliver said one of the most common misconceptions is that home care is only for people who are seriously ill.
“In reality, many clients simply need a little extra help with everyday tasks or companionship,” she said. “Receiving support early can actually help seniors remain independent longer and improve their overall quality of life.”
She said Southern Comfort Caregivers distinguishes itself from other home-care providers by offering transparent pricing.
“You can find our rates clearly listed on our website as well as in our brochures,” she said. “I don’t believe in making anyone jump through hoops to find out the cost of a service they need.”
She also found that some companies charge additional fees to send caregivers to rural areas such as St. Charles Parish.
“Since our caregivers are mainly local, we cut travel expenses, making care more affordable for families in these areas,” she said.
Oliver said she chose to open the business in the parish not only because it’s home but because the community values family.
“Many seniors want to stay in the homes they’ve built their lives in rather than move into a facility,” she said. “I saw an opportunity to provide high-quality local care while building strong community relationships.”
For Oliver, her passion for senior care was reinforced every time she saw the difference compassionate care made in someone’s life.
“Knowing that I can help someone feel safe, respected, and cared for is what continues to motivate me every day,” she said.
Southern Comfort Caregivers is open by appointment only.
