Hiljay Homes Newsletter
August at Hiljay Homes
Can you believe it’s already August?
If you ask me, this is Seattle at its absolute best. The skies are blue, the evenings are warm, and there always seems to be something happening. Seafair brings our communities together, the Blue Angels remind us all to stop what we’re doing and look up for a few minutes, and life just seems to slow down enough to enjoy it. August has a peaceful feeling that reminds us to appreciate the simple things before fall arrives.
Here at Hiljay Homes, we’re soaking up every minute of it.
The garden has decided it’s in charge this year! The green beans have completely taken over—I swear if we stand still too long they’ll start climbing us! The pumpkins are growing bigger every day, and our apple trees are busy reminding me why this has always been one of my favorite times of the year.
Applesauce season has officially begun! There is something so satisfying about filling the freezer with homemade applesauce, knowing we’ll enjoy a little taste of summer all winter long. Of course, a few apples mysteriously disappear into warm apple crisps before they ever make it that far. Someone has to make sure they’re good enough…it’s a tough job, but we’re willing to do it!
On a more serious note, I’d like to ask a favor of everyone reading this.
Many of you know Washington State is considering moving to a single-provider system for incontinence and medical supplies. While it may sound efficient, many of us who provide hands-on care every day are deeply concerned that limiting providers will reduce choice, delay deliveries, and make it harder to get the right products for the unique needs of each resident.
Our seniors deserve individualized care—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
If you have a few minutes, please contact your legislators and let them know why preserving choice is so important for the residents we serve. Every phone call, every email, and every voice truly matters.
Find your legislators here:
https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/
Speaking of advocacy, I am excited to announce that Caring Adult Family Homes of the North Sound, the provider group I started, will be hosting a Legislative Town Hall on:
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
We are honored to have the following guests confirmed:
Representative Sam Low (39th District)
Representative Mary Fosse (38th District)
Representative Carolyn Eslick (39th District)
Kathryn Lewandowsky (39th District Candidate)
Tentatively attending:
Representative Lauren Davis (32nd District), who has us on her calendar and hopes to attend if her schedule allows.
This town hall is an opportunity for Adult Family Home providers, caregivers, families, and anyone who cares about long-term care to have an honest conversation with our legislators about the challenges we face today and how decisions made in Olympia directly affect our seniors, adults living with disabilities, and the caregivers who serve them every day.
If you’ve ever wished someone in Olympia could truly understand what happens inside an Adult Family Home, this is your opportunity to help tell that story. We hope you’ll join us.
We also have someone special we’d like to welcome.
Please help us welcome Mary, the newest member of our Hiljay Homes family! Mary is beginning her caregiving journey while attending nursing school, and we couldn’t be happier to have her with us. We love helping future nurses discover that caregiving isn’t just about skills—it’s about compassion, patience, and treating every resident like family. We wish her nothing but success as she begins this exciting chapter.
As we enjoy these last full weeks of summer, I hope you find time to slow down, watch a sunset, eat a tomato fresh from the garden, enjoy a bowl of homemade applesauce, or sneak an extra helping of apple crisp. Before long we’ll be trading sunshine for sweaters, but for now we’re going to enjoy every warm evening we can.
From our family to yours, thank you for allowing us the privilege of caring for those you love. It is a responsibility we never take for granted.
Have a beautiful August!
With warm wishes,
JoAnn and Hilary
And the crew at Hiljay Homes