Jessica McGlory
Two years after her father passed away, Jessica McGlory launched Guaranteed, a New York City-based company providing modern end-of-life care designed with the patient and the caregiver in mind. Half of the capital raised came from women and/or persons of color.
His death would lead to reflection. “When I thought about him being gone, I needed a moment because I was grieving, but on that two-year anniversary for some reason when I thought about everything that happened, it sparked some ideas that would lead to Guaranteed,” said McGlory, founder and CEO.
Born and raised in Detroit, McGlory went to The Roeper School before attending DePaul University, where she majored in Digital Cinema with a concentration in screenwriting. “My major helped me in my capability for storytelling, communicating effectively and creating new worlds,” she said.
In an effort to create truly inclusive hospice care for all, regardless of income, race or ethnicity, Los Angeles would become the first service area for Guaranteed, with plans to expand to other regions.
“LA has a truly diverse population in need of better hospice care,” said McGlory. “We are able to provide a better quality level of care with technology that makes things easier for the caregiver and the staff.”
Her own loss taught her a lot. “I didn’t know what hospice was until the doctor told me that my father needed it when he was in the hospital. I had worked for a technology company and direct-to-consumer agencies that create an amazing experience for a product or service. I wanted to take my background in technology and create a better experience for people. Ever since hospice first started back in the ‘80s, it’s been pretty similar to its original state,” she said.
“Our tech-enabled experience includes iPads for in-home telemedicine visits with palliative trained nurses, spiritual coordinators, social workers and dietitians as well as incredible in-person care. In addition to that, patients can text us anytime under the sun.”
This can ease the efforts for others. “There is a lot of burden on family caregivers. This can relieve some of that burden,” said McGlory.
“As a certified hospice provider, we can also provide nurses, but the focus is around pain management and comfort care, so there isn’t a 24/7 nurse with in-home hospice care. We are a hybrid healthcare company. The nurse and the aide also have access to the technology and 24-hour communication.”
The vast majority of people are covered for hospice, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for patients or family members in that case. Guaranteed is Medicare and Medicaid certified, which is considered the highest standard in hospice care.
“It is great to be able to do that as a tech company and to not only provide hospice care, but change the conversation about dying and death in the U.S. There is an aversion to talking about those facing it, so we also provide education and resources on our website,” she said.
“We are all going to die. There is no reason for people to do so without having a sense of community and being able to express themselves through their grief.”
She believes her background paved the way to her success. “Growing up in Detroit was incredible. It was a pleasure to be exposed to people from different walks of life. That really stuck with me and I could unapologetically be myself at Roeper, which is something that has never gone away,” said McGlory.
When she first started her company, she brought former classmate, Cachet Collard, on board to help. “It was a very full-circle moment,” she said. “Eventually, we want to expand into Michigan to provide the absolute best homecare possible.”
Story: Jeanine Matlow
