Caring for two generations,
one day at a time

For nearly three decades, Nicole has lived in a constant state of attention. Most mornings begin before the sun lifts over the horizon, as she runs through the mental checklist that shapes her day: school schedules, work responsibilities, medication reminders, and the ever-present awareness that her dad, Russ, may need her at any moment. It’s a rhythm she knows well, rooted in the demands of raising a blended family of five children while staying closely attuned to his care.

Russ has lived with severe genetic heart disease and peripheral artery disease since Nicole was 20. Over time, caregiving has become woven into the fabric of her identity. “It’s second nature to us — our way of life,” she says.

Coordinating complex care

Nicole and her twin brothers, Ryan and Bryan, have spent much of their lives coordinating their dad’s care while raising families of their own. Together, they’ve learned to read the smallest signs — a shift in Russ’s color, swelling in his leg, or the chest pain that sends him reaching for nitroglycerin in the middle of the night. When a crisis hits, Bryan, a firefighter, often arrives before 911. And as Russ’s abilities have changed, the three of them have stepped in to support their mom, taking on the tasks he can no longer manage.

“It’s like a roller coaster you can’t get off,” Nicole says — a ride marked by sudden drops, sharp turns, and moments of calm that never last quite long enough, with major hospital stays often hitting every few months and spanning weeks at a time.

Whenever Russ is admitted, Nicole shifts into advocate mode. As soon as he arrives, she gives nurses and doctors a high-level overview of his medical history — what’s changed, what to watch for, and what’s worked before — a practice she says ensures everyone starts with the full picture.

Still, even amid uncertainty, they find ways to make room for joy.

Nicole has found refuge in horseback riding — the healing energy of the horses, the warmth of the sun, and the open air restoring a calm she brings back into daily life. The family gathers for backyard bonfires, beach days, and small celebrations that anchor them, and when Russ feels strong enough, Nicole makes sure he can be part of those moments, too.

Alongside her full time work in real estate, she also launched a small business, transforming a vintage horse trailer into a mobile bar — a creative outlet that gives her space to breathe.

Support that simplifies care

With so many moving parts, Nicole needs support she can count on — and she finds it in CVS Health®.

She’s been going to CVS since she was 17, drawn by its around-the-clock convenience and pharmacists she describes as knowledgeable and kind. Over time, CVS has become more than somewhere she visits. It’s where she turns to help manage her dad’s chronic illness and protect her family.

That trust is personal. The CVS Pharmacy just down the street has filled Russ’s prescriptions for more than 20 years, and the pharmacists there know him well. They answer Nicole’s questions and help troubleshoot situations before they become emergencies. Once, when Russ needed cold medicine, a pharmacist recommended an alternative that wouldn’t interfere with his heart medications.

“CVS is consistent and competent. I’ll never go anywhere else,” Nicole says.

The CVS Health app makes day-to-day care easier. Nicole coordinates prescriptions, schedules refills, and arranges deliveries through one easy system — so her dad’s medications are always readily available. For her kids, MinuteClinic® offers convenient, accessible care, especially on weekends when someone wakes up sick and she needs timely answers.

Care for Russ extends into the home as well. Through his Aetna Medicare plan, Nicole learned about Signify Health®, part of CVS Health, which offers In‑Home Health Evaluations by licensed, independent physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, as well as care coordination assistance. With support from his health plan, she arranged additional home visits to complement his weekly nurse care, offering reassurance given his infection history and recent amputation—especially on days when she or her family can’t be there.

One such day was when a nurse practitioner from Signify Health advised Russ to go to the hospital immediately after a vitals check revealed an irregular, rapid heart rate and low blood pressure — symptoms Russ most likely would have handled on his own by taking increasing doses of nitroglycerin. Doctors determined he was experiencing atrial fibrillation and were able to provide early treatment that likely prevented a heart attack, Nicole says.

To her, CVS is more than a pharmacy. It’s a steady partner during the most difficult stretches, when caregiving leaves little room for anything else.

A daughter’s strength, a father’s determination

Despite declining mobility, Russ remains full of humor and grit. Nurses call him “Uncle Russ,” and he jokes, “I’m still here — they didn’t get me yet.” He especially misses the freedom that came with driving but rarely complains.

He’s made meaningful changes: quitting smoking and drinking, adding more protein as part of a balanced diet, and staying centered on what matters most — being here to watch his grandkids grow up.

At home, Nicole and her husband, Greg, have built a life that holds everything together. Greg is her stabilizing presence — the quiet partner who stands with her through it all.

“He’s my rock — my backbone,” she says.

After 27 years of caregiving, Nicole embodies a strength honed over time — practiced, resilient, and deeply rooted in love. She carries a lot, but she does not carry it alone. With her family beside her, and the support of CVS Health behind her, Nicole moves forward with confidence that whatever comes next, they’ll face it together.