Lisa and Angela Gibson work hard and dream big.

Sisters through marriage, the women have been working for the past 10 years to provide retirement living and long-term care at Helen Henderson Care Centre in Amherstview.

It is a labour of love that has been passed down through three generations of the Gibson family.

The women assumed management of the home from Larry Gibson, Lisa’s uncle.

Located on the picturesque shore of Lake Ontario, Helen Henderson Care Centre is gaining  national attention for its quality improvements and innovative programs such as pet therapy, music therapy, medical nutritional therapy and a Montessori Methods for Dementia Program.

“(My brother and I) literally grew-up in the industry,” says Lisa, Administrator and Owner of the 170 bed facility.

“It was just part of our lives. We were raised to have an appreciation for health care and seniors.”

Equipped with a business degree and a passion to work in the family business, Lisa set a course towards a new culture with a focus on constant quality improvement and excellent customer service.

The results are remarkable.

In 2015, the home enjoyed an increase in business and family satisfaction rates. It is earning a reputation as a model home in the accreditation process and a leading Canadian employer.

Lisa credits her sister-in-law Angela Gibson with part of their success.

Dedicated to her role as Assistant Administrator, Angela joined the family business and never looked back.

“I’m glad of the decision I made because it’s very rewarding, challenging at times, but well worth it,” she says with a smile.

Under her leadership, Angela launched the home’s first fundraising campaign to replace 10 hospital beds in the nursing home and refurbish a tub room in the retirement lodge.

Conducted through the Gibson Family Health Care Charitable Foundation, the campaign is over halfway to its goal of $50,000. When finished, residents will have the best medical equipment to accommodate their unique medical needs.

Pleased with the home’s progress, the women are an effective leadership team guided by unwavering family values and business expertise.

Working together, they are careful to watch emerging trends and adopt best industry practices.

“We want our residents to feel we are looking after them as if they were part of our own family, or extended family,” Lisa says earnestly.

“This home is truly about our family caring for your family.”

“As busy and as stressful as it can be on any given day, we have so much fun with residents and staff,”adds Angela.

“I think that speaks volumes about the business and us as a family because residents, families and staff are genuinely happy.”