WeCare: The Heart of Milford’s Wellness Village Helping Seniors Navigate Health and Embrace Hope

We Care is the heart of the Milford Wellness Village, reaching out weekly to support seniors across Kent and Sussex County. (image was generated with AI)

Located inside the Milford Wellness Village, WeCare’s mission is simple: helping people.

MILFORD — In a world where healthcare often feels complicated, rushed, and impersonal, WeCare stands as a calm, compassionate voice for Delaware’s seniors. Located inside the Milford Wellness Village, WeCare’s mission is simple yet transformative: helping people—especially older adults and those living with chronic conditions—navigate the maze of modern healthcare and live better, healthier lives.

“WeCare builds and establishes a trusting relationship with our members that enables our Personal Health Nurses to connect them with the life-sustaining resources they need,” said Lori Smith, the program’s new Executive Director. “Many of our seniors don’t have the internet or computer skills to find help online. That’s where we step in—one phone call, one conversation, one caring connection at a time.”

The Personal Health Nurse: A Lifeline for Seniors

Each WeCare member is paired with a Personal Health Nurse who makes a Weekly Wellness Call—a simple yet powerful act that has changed countless lives. The call is not just about checking boxes; it’s about listening, guiding, and ensuring that no senior feels forgotten.

“During the call we might ask, ‘Do you have your medications?’ or ‘Do you have groceries?’” Smith explained. “It’s not just clinical—it’s personal. We remind and encourage our members to make and keep their doctor appointments so they can stay in their homes, near their loved ones, and out of the hospital.”

This one-to-one relationship model is what makes WeCare unique within the Milford Wellness Village. It bridges the gap between medical care and real life—ensuring that seniors don’t fall through the cracks once they leave the hospital, rehab center, or doctor’s office.

Milford Wellness Village is the home of 25 unique healthcare providers.

The Heart of the Wellness Village

What truly sets WeCare apart is how it connects seniors to the many other providers inside the Milford Wellness Village—a network of more than 20 organizations focused on community-based, integrated health.

Through WeCare’s coordination, a senior might discover adult day care services through PACE Your LIFE, find help from Genoa Pharmacy to bundle medications into daily packages, or learn from Easterseals how to install assistive devices at home to avoid falls.

“WeCare is often the link that helps people find the right help at the right time,” said Smith. “Sometimes our members don’t even know what’s available to them until we connect the dots. That’s why we say WeCare really is the heart of the Milford Wellness Village.”

That vision aligns perfectly with the city’s broader goal for Milford’s future. Mayor Todd Culotta said he continues to champion the idea of Milford becoming “the capital of health care in Sussex County,” and sees Wellness Village and WeCare as a driving force behind that vision.

“Milford has become a regional hub for innovative and compassionate care,” Culotta said. “Programs like WeCare are at the center of that progress. Their team’s compassion, outreach, and personal connection to seniors are exactly what makes our city’s wellness model so special. WeCare doesn’t just deliver services—they deliver hope.”

Located at 21 W. Clarke Avenue, the Milford Wellness Village brings together healthcare, housing, and social services under one roof—making it easier for residents to access support without traveling far or navigating multiple systems. WeCare serves as the connector that keeps it all working in harmony.

Joan’s Story: Compassion That Makes a Difference

For Joan, who lives in Felton, WeCare has been more than a program—it’s been a lifeline. She’s been working with WeCare for about a year and looks forward to her weekly calls.

“They call me every week,” Joan said. “I can ask questions, and they always give me answers that help. They helped me get a handrail in my brother’s bathroom and a chair in the shower so he could be safer. The people who call are beautiful people who make me feel like there’s no problem that can’t be solved. All you need to do is ask!”

Joan’s story reflects what many participants say about WeCare: that beyond resources and referrals, what they receive most is reassurance—the feeling that someone truly cares.

Filling the Gaps in the System

The need for programs like WeCare has never been greater. Delaware’s senior population is growing faster than the national average—nearly one in five residents is already over 65, and that number is expected to double by 2040. Milford, with its mix of affordability and access to care, has become a magnet for retirees.

Yet, with that growth comes new challenges: chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s are rising, and caregivers are stretched thin. As Smith put it, “When an elderly person leaves the hospital or rehab, they often find themselves completely on their own. The system is designed to care for them when they’re inside the walls of healthcare—but what happens when they go home? That’s why WeCare exists.”

WeCare’s team steps in during those critical transition moments—before, during, and after a patient’s interaction with the healthcare system. By staying connected, they help clients manage medications, prevent hospital readmissions, and maintain independence.

Education, Empowerment, and Access

Beyond one-on-one support, WeCare offers free programs on chronic disease management, healthy living, and caregiver self-care. Classes are available both in person and online—and for those without technology access, WeCare can provide laptops, Wi-Fi, and technical assistance.

These services are funded by grants from the Administration for Community Living and partnerships with organizations such as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware, making them free to participants.

From managing fatigue and frustration to learning about nutrition, safe exercise, and medication management, WeCare empowers individuals to take charge of their own health. “Our goal is to give people the tools to live fully,” Smith said. “It’s not just about adding years to life—it’s about adding life to those years.”

A Future Built on Caring

Smith, a longtime registered nurse, says her new role as Executive Director is “the most rewarding and fulfilling position I’ve ever held.”

“When you have a WeCare member thank you for a resource or tell you how much they appreciate the weekly call—or even say ‘Good morning, Lori!’ before I have the chance to say it to them—it’s a feeling unmatched by any other,” she said. “We’ve celebrated, laughed, and cried with our members. Those are the relationships that set WeCare apart.”

Looking ahead, Smith hopes to see WeCare expand statewide, becoming a household name across Delaware. “When people hear ‘WeCare,’ I want them to know they have a team who truly cares about them, advocates for them, and connects them to what they need,” she said. “We want to be their partner in health—today, tomorrow, and always.”

If You Need Help

WeCare Milford
21 W. Clarke Ave, Milford, DE 19963
(302) 459-3900
wecareservices.org
Programs are free and open to seniors and individuals living with chronic conditions across Delaware.