Truly exceptional in home care comes from finding that perfect match: a caregiver who supports you or your loved one in a way that feels comfortable, reassuring, and tailored to your needs.
Meet Dan R., one of our dedicated Care Partners at Homewatch CareGivers of Longmont, affectionately known around our office as “Dan, Dan the Guitar Man.” Dan has been part of the Homewatch team for a year and a half and brings more than 10 years of caregiving experience to his role.
One thing that sets Dan apart is how he incorporates music into his caregiving work. Before becoming a caregiver, he spent years as a professional musician and later worked as a software consultant. After retiring, he turned to caregiving in search of work that felt more meaningful.
“I’ve been playing since I was fairly young,” said Dan. “I figured, why not use that talent if it can actually help someone? Music is therapeutic. Care can get really serious when people are dealing with physical issues, and music helps lighten the mood, for them and for me. It’s just fun to see the smile on their faces when they recognize the tune I’m playing.”
Using music as a bridge to connection
After retiring, Dan initially volunteered at nursing homes and senior living communities, where he quickly saw how music can help bring people out of their shells.
One early experience that shaped his approach to caregiving was working with a bedbound resident from Colombia who loved Latin guitar music. As Dan played for her one afternoon, she visibly relaxed, closed her eyes, smiled, and eventually drifted off to sleep. Since then, Dan has seen how music creates similar moments of connection in community settings with residents living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“Some people are kind of lost in their minds,” he said. “Their head is down, they’re not very responsive. Then I’ll start playing music, and it’s like they wake up. Their head comes up, they smile and nod. I’ve seen it so often, the joy music can bring to people in that situation. I’ve had people come up to me and tell me the music helped them remember when they were young and used to go to dances. They have all these wonderful memories, and music just seems to bring them back.”
A lifelong passion for music
Dan has felt a deep connection to music since childhood. As a young person, he would listen to rock songs on the radio and teach himself to play them on the guitar. He later came to love the folk scene of the 1960s, inspired by artists like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul and Mary. He went on to attend college and serve in the California National Guard before becoming a professional musician.
“I knew music was my passion. That’s what I tell people: follow your passion, even if others say you won’t make a living at it. There were times where I took several jobs to get through, but I spent years playing music and growing as a person. The money will come if you really follow your heart.”
Today, as a caregiver with Homewatch CareGivers, Dan has continued to see how powerful music can be, especially for clients with dementia. When language becomes harder, music is often able to break through the barrier when words can’t.
“I love seeing that even when someone can’t process words, music can cut through it all and reach them,” Dan said. “Somehow, music has that power. It’s like it’s another way of communicating with them.”
Dan often starts out with a few familiar tunes on the guitar that match the client’s era, then introduces some pleasant-sounding classical pieces. Typically, he enjoys playing upbeat songs: “She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain” and “You Are My Sunshine” both tend to resonate with clients.
Meeting clients where they are
Today, caregiving gives Dan a way to use his natural gifts like intuition, music, and compassion to support others. Through this work, Dan said he has learned how to truly listen, understand people’s stories, and respond to their needs in the moment. Not every client visit allows time for music, though, so Dan is thoughtful about reading the situation and asking the client if the time feels right.
“Over the years, what I’ve realized is that everyone is different, whether it’s emotional issues, physical issues, or how dementia affects them. Sometimes the right thing to do in the moment is to sit down and talk with them. Other times, it’s doing the dishes or changing the sheets on the bed. I try to focus on whatever they need at that moment. In the same way, how I use music is different for every client: I tailor it as I get to know the person.”
For newer caregivers, Dan’s advice is simple: stay flexible, don’t take things personally, and do your best: “Caregivers can be very critical of themselves, thinking they should be perfect, but it’s all part of learning. And the rewards are worth more than any challenges.”
Connecting you with the right caregiver
At Homewatch CareGivers of Longmont, we’re committed to helping individuals live their lives fully and safely at home while ensuring families feel confident in their loved one’s care. We match clients with the right caregiver, support caregivers with ongoing training and regular performance reviews, and require national background and DMV checks. In addition, in 2025, our agency was honored as a Top Workplace in Colorado by The Denver Post for the second year in a row.
When you choose Homewatch CareGivers of Longmont for at home care, you or your loved one will be matched with one of our many exceptional caregivers like Dan, individuals who bring on-the-job experience and thoughtful care to every visit.
From senior care and 24-hour care to dementia care, veteran care, Parkinson’s care, and more, our team is here to meet your family’s needs. Call Homewatch CareGivers of Longmont at (303) 444-1133 today to schedule your free in-home consultation, or fill out our online form and discover how we can help!