A Life of Service
As a nurse, Ms. Ethel “Dee” Swanston-Williams spent her life taking care of others.
She raised children and helped care for her grandchildren. Even after retiring, she continued giving back—volunteering for a hospice program to offer comfort and support to those at the end of life. Her heart for caregiving never faded. But as time passed and her health began to decline,
Dee found herself in unfamiliar territory—needing support of her own.
The First Steps Toward Independence
When Dee was first connected with Supports Planner Shara Suddath in the summer of 2017, she was receiving limited services through the Howard County Senior Plus program. While it helped with a few hours of personal care each week and delivered meals to her home, it wasn’t enough.
Dee was legally blind and beginning to experience early signs of dementia. Living alone in her Columbia apartment was becoming increasingly difficult. Fortunately, she was invited to apply for the Community Options (CO) Waiver. With Shara’s help, Dee gathered the documentation, completed the paperwork, and developed a personalized plan of service to better support her independence.
Together, they envisioned a path forward that would allow Dee to remain safely in her home for as long as possible.
A Sudden Detour
Just as everything was falling into place, Dee had a health scare. She was hospitalized after forgetting to take her medication and later transferred to a rehab facility to recover.
When she met with her children and Shara, everyone agreed that returning home alone wouldn’t be safe. Yet neither of her children could provide housing at that time. Faced with a difficult decision, Dee chose to transition into an assisted living facility.
Shara moved quickly to find a safe, welcoming place in Columbia. After Dee’s discharge and her formal enrollment in the CO Waiver, she moved into her new residence with the support and services she needed.
Finding Joy in a New Chapter
While assisted living wasn’t the life Dee had planned, she made the most of it. She discovered joy in being around others again attending a medical day program, taking tap dancing lessons, and even beginning to date.
It was a good life, but still, something was missing.
“This just isn’t home,” she would say.
That yearning never went away.
A Dream Realized
In the spring of 2019, Dee’s daughter began looking into new housing options—determined to bring her mother back home.
When they found the right house, Shara was there once again, ready to revise Dee’s plan of service and secure the supports she would need to thrive. Together, they arranged for personal care assistance, home-delivered meals, a personal emergency response system, and additional waiver services to help ease the transition.
At the end of August, Dee moved in with her daughter and two grandchildren in their new home in Columbia.
The Joy of Being Surrounded by Family
Though the house was still full of boxes and in the early stages of being made a home, Dee didn’t mind.
She was back with her family—laughing with her grandkids, sharing meals, and resting easy knowing she was supported.
“I’m just so grateful,” she said.
“I didn’t think I’d be able to live with my family again. But now, here I am—home.”
The Heart of What SCI Does
Dee’s journey is just one of many made possible by the care, compassion, and coordination that defines Service Coordination, Inc.
Across Maryland, SCI supports individuals and families facing complex challenges—from aging and health changes to disability and housing insecurity—by connecting them to critical services, offering person-centered guidance, and helping them achieve a life of dignity, independence, and connection.
Whether it’s planning long-term care, transitioning out of a hospital or assisted living, or navigating Medicaid waiver services, SCI is there at every step. Our team works side by side with each individual, empowering them to build the life they envision—at home, in the community, and with the people they love.
Explore our full range of services.
At SCI, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to live where they feel safe, supported, and at home. Because no matter where the journey begins, it should always lead back to hope.