Improving quality of life one day at a time

Tasia Drayton couldn’t have chosen a better name for her home care business. She’s been driven to make compassionate connections since childhood.

“When I was in 8th grade, my grandmother had a stroke and was sent to Waterman Village for recovery. I stayed with her over the summer and got to see all that can be done with physical therapy. That’s when I knew I wanted to do something to help people,” says Tasia.

A fifth generation Floridian, Tasia was born and raised in Eustis, graduating from Eustis High School in 2010. 

After graduation she became an HHA and then a CNA and worked in nursing homes. 

“I witnessed things that broke my heart seeing people not get what they needed,” Tasia recalls. “There was a lack of compassion. I thought, what can I do about this?”

Her solution was to start Compassionate Connections, her own home care agency providing homemaker, companion, and personal care services.

The Eustis-based company, which celebrated seven years in business in March 2024, services Lake, Sumter, Marion, and surrounding counties.

From the beginning, Tasia’s mission was to offer client-centered care that enables people to maintain their independence and dignity.

She’s found that matching clients with the right caregivers is almost like a dating service. Her success rate speaks volumes about her skill in doing that.

“Some of our clients have been with us over three years and have the same caregivers. It’s like we become an extended family. We keep it consistent so clients can trust us, which is why we’re so picky when hiring caregivers. Everyone who joins our care team has Level 2 background checks,” says Tasia, noting that the best part of her work is making a positive difference in clients’ lives.

When Tasia launched Compassionate Connections in 2017, she was a one-woman show, but she currently has nearly 40 caregivers on staff.

In addition to providing all facets of home care, the agency will soon be offering home healthcare with RNs, as well as non-medical transportation services.

Tasia also plans to franchise her company this year.

“I’ve been branding the business from the beginning to set us apart, and I look forward to having multiple Compassionate Connections in the state and then seeing it go nationwide,” says Tasia.

She and her husband Marvin are the proud parents of daughters, Majesty, 7, and Royalty, 1.