Mike Durkin and the Work of Building Trust in Home Care

Mike Durkin did not plan a career in home care. Like many small business owners, his path started with a personal problem that had no easy answer.

Fifteen years ago, Durkin and his family were trying to find reliable help for elderly relatives. The process was confusing. Calls went unanswered. Promises felt vague. Good care was hard to find when it mattered most.

“We were just trying to help our own family,” Durkin says. “And it shouldn’t have been that hard.”

That experience changed his direction. It also became the foundation for ComForCare Mercer, a family-owned home care business serving Mercer County, New Jersey.

From Family Need to Local Business Leadership

Durkin opened ComForCare Mercer with a simple goal. Make quality home care easier to access. Keep communication clear. Stay involved.

He runs the business alongside his wife and son. The family has owned and operated the Mercer County location for 15 years.

“We never wanted to be distant owners,” Durkin says. “If someone calls, we answer. If there’s a problem, we deal with it.”

That hands-on approach shaped how the business grew. Instead of scaling quickly, Durkin focused on building trust with families and caregivers one relationship at a time.

The work was not easy in the early years. Home care requires constant coordination. Needs change fast. Every family situation is different.

“You’re dealing with real people and real stress,” he says. “You can’t run this like a spreadsheet.”

Learning the Demands of Elderly Home Care

ComForCare Mercer provides non-medical home care. Their services include 24/7 care, live-in care, overnight care, and support that allows seniors to age at home.

Durkin learned early that quality care depends on the right match between caregiver and client.

“Skill matters, but personality matters just as much,” he says. “You can’t force a fit.”

One of the biggest challenges in his career came from this reality. Families had specific needs. Caregivers had different strengths. Getting it wrong could strain trust.

“We had clients who were unhappy at first,” Durkin says. “Not because the caregiver was bad, but because it wasn’t the right match.”

Instead of walking away, Durkin focused on solving the problem. He invested time in building a deeper caregiver base and learning what made each caregiver successful.

That effort paid off. In one case, a dissatisfied client became a long-term relationship after a better caregiver match.

“It changed everything,” he says. “It reminded us that listening really matters.”

Building a Reputation Through Consistency

Over time, ComForCare Mercer became known for reliability. Durkin credits this to consistency more than strategy.

The business works with elderly clients and their families. It also coordinates with assisted living communities, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and elder care attorneys.

In each setting, Durkin emphasizes accessibility.

“If something happens at night, you don’t want voicemail,” he says. “You want a person.”

That mindset sets expectations inside the company. Caregivers know they are supported. Families know they can reach someone who understands their situation.

Durkin believes leadership in home care is less about authority and more about presence.

“You earn trust by showing up,” he says. “Again and again.”

Navigating Change in a Growing Industry

The home care industry has changed over the past decade. Demand has grown. Regulation remains uneven. Families are often unsure who to trust.

Durkin has spoken publicly about the need for stronger oversight in unregulated care environments. His perspective comes from daily experience, not policy theory.

“When care isn’t done right, families pay the price,” he says. “And the elderly feel it first.”

Despite industry challenges, Durkin remains focused on what he can control. Service quality. Communication. Follow-through.

“We don’t try to be everything,” he says. “We try to be dependable.”

A Career Defined by Service and Patience

Looking back, Durkin sees his career as a lesson in patience.

Home care does not move fast. Relationships take time. Problems do not have quick fixes.

“You have to care about the outcome,” he says. “Not just the process.”

After 15 years, ComForCare Mercer continues to operate as a family business. The structure has not changed much. The values have not changed at all.

Durkin still believes in answering the phone. He still believes in listening first. And he still believes that good care starts with respect.

“We help people stay in their homes,” he says. “That’s personal. You don’t forget that.”

In an industry built around care, Mike Durkin’s leadership stands out for its simplicity. Show up. Pay attention. And treat every family like your own.