Why I Built Ouma

Caregiving is one of the most important jobs in the world.
It is also one of the most overwhelming.
 
I learned this firsthand when my grandmother came home from the hospital needing round-the-clock care. My family was determined to keep her at home, but we had no roadmap for how to do it.
 
Suddenly, we were managing medications, coordinating doctor visits, and trying to make the right decisions without fully understanding what she needed. Every step felt urgent. Every decision felt important. And yet, we were navigating it all alone.
 
Even with my background in healthcare, the system was incredibly difficult to navigate. There was no single place to turn for clear guidance. No one walking beside us to help us understand what to do next.
 
That experience stayed with me—and it changed the course of my life.
 

A Career Supporting Families

I became a geriatric social worker and spent more than 30 years helping older adults and their families navigate aging, chronic illness, and complex care decisions.
 
Over the years, I worked with thousands of families—each facing their own version of the same challenge: doing everything they could for someone they love, while feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and unsure if they were making the right choices.
 
In 2012, I founded Opt2Care Senior Services, an innovative homecare company focused on improving quality of life for older adults and their caregivers. We combined traditional home care with a more holistic, personalized approach. The company was later acquired by SeniorBridge, a subsidiary of Humana.
 
But even after years of building services and supporting families, one thing became clear: Families needed help much earlier—and in a way that was accessible, affordable, and always available.
 

The Hidden Challenge of Caregiving

Today, more than 53 million Americans are family caregivers.

Most are navigating the healthcare system without guidance.

They are coordinating care, managing medications, advocating for their loved ones, and trying to make complex decisions—often while balancing work, family, and their own health.

They spend hours searching online, piecing together information, and hoping they’re making the right choices.

Caregiving shouldn’t feel this confusing or isolating.
And yet, for so many families, it does.

Introducing Ouma

That’s why I created Ouma.
Ouma is a caregiving coach designed to guide families through one of life’s most
challenging experiences.

Instead of handing caregivers a list of resources, Ouma walks with them—helping them understand their loved one’s needs, take the next right step, and feel supported along the way.

Through personalized care plans, practical tools, and expert guidance, Ouma helps caregivers:

  • Understand what their loved one needs now—and what to expect next
  • Navigate complex care decisions with clarity
  • Access trusted resources and support
  • Feel more confident and less alone

We’ve taken what was once a 4-hour assessment with a geriatric social worker—and transformed it into a simple, accessible experience families can use anytime.

Because support shouldn’t be hard to find.

Why the Name Ouma

Ouma means “grandmother.”
The platform is named in honor of my grandmother, whose caregiving journey inspired everything we are building today.

She is the reason this exists.
And she represents so many loved ones who depend on family caregivers every day.

Why Families Trust Ouma

Built by a Geriatric Social Worker
Ouma was created by Melissa Louie, a licensed clinical social worker with more than 30 years of experience helping families navigate aging, illness, and caregiving.

Decades of Real-World Experience
Before building Ouma, Melissa founded Opt2Care Senior Services, supporting
thousands of families. The company was later acquired by SeniorBridge, a subsidiary of Humana.

Designed for Family Caregivers
Ouma was built with one goal in mind: to make caregiving easier. Every feature is designed to help families understand their options and make confident decisions.

Clear, Compassionate Guidance
Caregiving is already overwhelming. Ouma provides guidance in simple, human
language—without confusing medical jargon or unnecessary complexity.

Our Mission
To ensure no caregiver has to navigate this journey alone.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If you’re caring for a loved one and feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.
Ouma is here to help.