Home Care
in Berkeley
A Woman & Minority-Owned Local Care Team
Founded by a Granddaughter, Focused on Families
FirstLight Home Care exists because Nicole Freeman lived through every family’s worst fear—watching a loved one need help while struggling to find trustworthy care.
As one of the few women-owned, minority-owned home care franchises in the nation, Nicole brings something unique to Berkeley families: she’s not just a business owner, she’s a granddaughter who understands. Nicole turned her family’s most challenging chapter into Berkeley’s most compassionate home care service, supporting families here and in nearby communities like Albany and Oakland.
Medicare GUIDE Program — Now Available in Berkeley
FirstLight Home Care of Alameda is one of the only home care agencies in Alameda County and Contra Costa County approved to deliver the Medicare GUIDE Program through our partnership with PocketRN. This landmark CMS initiative provides eligible clients with:
- A dedicated Nurse For Life — available 24/7 by phone or video
- Up to 72 hours of free annual respite care — covered by Medicare at $0 out-of-pocket cost (hours reset every July 1st)
- Medication management and clinical oversight
- Care coordination with physicians and specialists
- Caregiver education and family support
Eligibility: Traditional Medicare (Parts A & B), dementia diagnosis, and residing at home or in an assisted living community.
Speak With Someone Who's Been in Your Shoes. Contact A Care Specialist.
Ready to transform worry into relief? Let's discuss how our experience becomes your peace of mind.
I'm Looking For *
FirstLight is hiring! Join our team.
* indicates required fields
Privacy Disclaimer
By providing my wireless phone number to FirstLight Home Care of Alameda (hereinafter collectively “Company”), I hereby agree and expressly acknowledge that the Company may send text messages to my wireless phone number for any purpose including but not limited to marketing and updating information. Message and data rates may apply. You may Opt-out at any time by replying “STOP” to any text message that is sent by Company.
Your mobile information will not be shared by the Company with third parties for marketing/promotional purposes. Company may disclose your mobile information to a third party for a business purpose. When Company discloses your mobile information for a business purpose, Company enters into a contract that describes the purpose and requires the recipient to keep the mobile information confidential or not use it for any purpose other than performing the contract.
Connect with a caregiver that's right for your needs
Why Families Trust Care Built on Personal Experience
Our founder didn’t study home care in textbooks—she learned it by living it. Every policy we’ve created, every caregiver we’ve trained, and every Berkeley family we serve benefits from lessons learned during our own time of need.
Our caregivers aren’t just compassionate—they’re qualified, with at least 3 years of experience. Many are medical assistants, CNAs, or nursing students who combine clinical knowledge with genuine warmth. Together, we offer solutions for real challenges, while always celebrating the independence and dignity that come with aging at home.
Services That Help Families Keep Loved Ones at Home
Every service we offer stems from one simple belief: home is where healing happens best. Our comprehensive home care solutions in Berkeley are designed to preserve independence while providing the support that keeps families whole, connected, and worry-free.
Companion Care & Personal Care for Seniors
More than just assistance, our true companionship enriches daily life. Our caregivers help with personal care activities like bathing, dressing, and medication management while building genuine relationships through shared meals, conversations, and activities. We understand that emotional wellness and physical care go hand in hand, creating an environment where your loved one thrives rather than just survives.
24-Hour, Live-In, and Overnight Care
You need continuous peace of mind when your loved one can’t be left alone. Our experienced team provides professional around-the-clock support with seamless caregiver transitions, ensuring consistency and reliability you can count on. Unlike other home care agencies that struggle with staffing gaps, we maintain stable coverage because we invest in our caregivers the way we’d want someone to invest in caring for our own families.
Compassionate expertise for families navigating Alzheimer’s and dementia challenges is essential. Our specially trained caregivers provide patient, dignified care that adapts to the evolving needs of memory loss while supporting the entire family system. We help maintain familiar routines and safe environments, understanding that small consistencies can make enormous differences in daily comfort and family harmony.
Even the most devoted family caregivers need time to breathe. Our respite care services provide temporary relief so you can attend to your own needs, run errands, or simply rest, knowing your loved one remains in capable, caring hands. We step in seamlessly, maintaining established routines while giving you the break that makes long-term caregiving sustainable.
Honoring our heroes with veteran care that understands military values and culture. We’re proud partners with the Veterans Care Network, helping navigate VA benefits like Aid & Attendance while providing service members and their families with the respect and specialized support they’ve earned. Our approach recognizes the unique needs that come with military service.
Whether it’s post-surgical recovery, disability support, chronic illness management, or travel companionship, we adapt our approach to match your specific circumstances. Every specialty care plan is built around the individual, ensuring personalized attention that feels less like a service and more like family support.
From One Family’s Struggle to a Community Resource
“When my grandfather needed care, watching my family struggle to find someone trustworthy—and enduring the stress and lasting ramifications from that difficult time—I knew something had to change. I left my corporate job because I realized I wanted to make a real impact, not just a paycheck.
In the past two years, being able to help families in my own community stay together, find peace of mind, and keep their loved ones safely at home has been the most fulfilling work of my life. There’s something special about caring for the neighbors who watched you grow up, the community that shaped you.
We’re here to make sure no family has to face these challenges alone.”
— Nicole Freeman, Owner & Founder, FirstLight Home Care Alameda
Providing In-Home Support Across the East Bay Communities We Love
Our dedicated caregivers bring warmth, reliability, and peace of mind to every home we serve, including these cities and the surrounding areas:
Bring Peace of Mind Home — Reach Out Today
The conversation that changes everything starts with a single phone call. Let our family’s journey become the foundation for your family’s peace of mind. You don’t have to handle the home care journey in Berkeley alone—and after today, you won’t have to.
Ready to bring peace of mind home? Schedule Your Free Consultation Today.
Ready to get started?
Home Care Services
Home Care Jobs