David lives in Portland. His mom is in Palo Alto.

My mom is 82 and sharp as a tack, but she's slowing down physically. She lives in Barron Park, where she's been for 35 years, and she refuses to move. I respect that — but living 600 miles away in Portland, I worry constantly.

I tried hiring a home aide through an agency. Mom hated it. She said it felt "clinical" and she didn't want a stranger sitting in her living room all day. What she needed wasn't a caregiver — she needed a neighbor.

I found VoGro through a friend whose parents are in the same situation. The difference was immediate. Instead of an assigned aide, Mom was matched with Priya, a local volunteer who actually wanted to help. Priya picks up Mom's prescriptions, takes her to Avenidas for her Thursday morning class, and they've started doing the Sunday crossword together.

Mom calls Priya "her girl." That tells me everything I need to know. For the first time in years, I'm not lying awake worrying.