From 2012 to 2024, Jarrettsville native Justin Kress built a career in medical device sales, often traveling around the country and successfully climbing the ladder in corporate America. However, after just shy of a decade in the industry, Kress began to question his trajectory. “I had a desirable job, I made good money -- it’s a great sales job,” he said. “But I thought: maybe this isn’t what I want.” At the same time, Kress was taking the advice of a business coach, reading increasingly more news related to the medical industry, when he found a staggering statistic about the thousands of seniors turning 65 every day through 2033. It was then that he turned his attention to the needs of seniors and ultimately founded Just-In Home Care, an organization dedicated to helping individuals remain in their homes as they age.
Kress’s goal to open Just-In Home Care was twofold. Not only did he want to provide a much-needed service, but he also wanted to dedicate his work to serving people where he lives. “I wanted to make a relationship with people in the community where I am from,” he said. “I thought about what private home care could do for my community.”
The transition from sales to the start of Just-In Home Care was measured, with Kress taking the time to achieve licensure while continuing to work in the role that he had been in for years. But in March of 2023, he earned his license, and by May of the same year, he brought on his first client. Since then, the organization has employed a multitude of caregivers, assisted over 250 individuals, and provided upwards of 100,000 hours of service in the capacity of both live-in care and shifts that may be two, four, or more hours long. And while the first client was in Monkton and the business continues to serve residents of Baltimore County, it has also grown to serve several areas, including Baltimore City, Western Cecil County, and its home base of Harford County, which is where the largest concentration of clients resides.
As seniors age, many prefer to stay in their homes, and Kress’s mission is to make that happen by providing personal care and companion care. Services range from bathing, dressing, and ambulation to laundry, light housekeeping, meal-making, cognitive engagement, and more. These services help seniors to fulfill their goal of staying in the comfort of their residence while also giving families peace of mind. “Maybe Mom can get by for eight hours, but families like that oversight -- that there’s someone there,” Kress said.
Kress says that the caregivers at Just-In Home Care are central to the success of the business and that he has worked tirelessly to ensure that he has created an environment that supports them. “We’re very protective of our caregivers. If we don’t have great caregivers, then we can’t take care of anyone,” he said. He also strives to find and hire the best professional caregivers -- those for whom it's clearly their calling and who embrace work in healthcare as a means of making a difference in individuals’ lives.
Impeccable customer service is also at the heart of Kress’s business model. “Customer service is so broken in 2025. Before COVID-19, if you had a bad customer service experience, it stood out. Now, a good customer service experience stands out,” he said. “We are always driven by customer service.” For Kress, that means focusing on what he calls “conscientious care” and “caring with initiative.” His team regularly seeks out feedback from clients and their families, manages expectations, and takes a proactive approach, all of which have earned him reviews that never clock in at less than five stars.
It is in situations that could be stressful to some that Kress finds his “why.” When families reach out and describe the crises that a relative may be facing, he’s able to provide resources and solutions. “I get a lot of joy and excitement when I receive a call and can tell [a family] this is what we can do, these are the steps, and this is what we’re going to do to make it happen,” he said. “We don’t rush them, we communicate. We tell them: You can trust us, we’re going to make it happen.”
While the foundation of Kress’s business model is, of itself, a service to the community, he is involved in other ways as well. One of his proudest affiliations is with Geriatric Assistance Information Network (GAIN), an organization that gathers together professionals whose work affects the senior community. While he initially attended monthly meetings as a member, within a year of participating, he stepped into the role of President, a role he still holds today. Not only does GAIN provide the opportunity for like-minded professionals to connect in meaningful ways that benefit seniors, its yearly conference also raises funds that are donated to non-profits.
As for the future, Kress has his sights set on continued growth and excellence. “We’ve just scratched the surface,” he said. “We’re focused on caring for our community. I’m really proud of what we’ve done for these families.”
We’re focused on caring for our community. I’m really proud of what we’ve done for these families.