
Burlingame, CA
Home Care
Nina Herndon
Sage Eldercare
4.8
About Nina Herndon
Beyond the resume
Nina Herndon, founder and Executive Director of Sage, came to this work through her family experience. When her mother died young, Nina lacked the tools and language to navigate what was happening, and hospice wasn't even on her radar. That experience became a quiet part of her "why" at Sage. Nina also grew up with a deep personal connection to older adults, beginning with her grandmothers. Nina was especially close to her Swiss grandmother, who beach hopped with her in the summer, had funny quirks like cooking spaghetti in a pressure cooker, and treated her in little ways, like keeping Fruit Stripe gum in the pantry. Those small, specific memories are part of why Nina believes so strongly that everyone deserves to live their whole life through, not just exist at the end of it. Sage Eldercare Solutions was born from Nina’s unwavering belief that older adults and their families deserve better care: more connection, more guidance from knowledgeable professionals, and more compassion.
At Sage Care Management, the process begins with a comprehensive, in-person assessment. We take a holistic approach to understand each client's needs, interests, preferences, and strengths. This assessment becomes the foundation for a personalized care plan designed to support well-being and enhance quality of life.
Once the plan is developed, we meet again to review recommendations, discuss the budget, and outline next steps. Our team prioritizes building meaningful, lasting relationships with clients—getting to know who they are and tailoring support to their experiences, values, and goals. As a concierge care management practice, we provide high-touch guidance through changing health needs, life transitions, and everyday challenges. We also offer 24/7 on-call support, ensuring clients have access to care management whenever it’s needed.
For Sage Home Care, the intake process begins with a complimentary initial meeting to thoroughly understand the individual. This includes their health needs, daily routines, preferences, personality, and interests. From there, we develop personalized care instructions and thoughtfully match each client with Personal Care Attendants whose skills and temperament align. Our model is distinguished by active supervision and ongoing oversight, with a strong emphasis on quality of life—ensuring that care is not only well-coordinated but also meaningfully enhances each client’s day-to-day experience.
Nina Herndon founded Sage 25 years ago to create a new kind of compassionate care that goes beyond basic care to provide meaning, connection, and engagement. Sage’s holistic approach helps its clients feel truly alive and thrive rather than merely being cared for. Sage stands out from other options for these four reasons.
Sage is known for its expert care navigation, which addresses complex aging challenges far beyond current standards and delivers high-touch, concierge attention.
Sage’s exclusive quality-of-life program is integrated into every care plan, ensuring holistic wellness and the best possible outcomes through personalized, compassionate care. Our team of engagement specialists at The Hummingbird Project also works with clients one-on-one to design customized activities that enrich their quality of life.
Sage’s home care team provides hands-on oversight from multiple team members, delivering exceptional and detailed care instructions, creative problem-solving, and a level of accountability that large providers cannot match.
Deeply rooted in the Bay Area, Sage is a trusted local partner with specialized knowledge of the communities we serve.
Licenses & Accreditation:
Care Manager Certified (CMC)
California Professional Fiduciary (CLPF lic. #272)
Certified Professional Gerontologist (CPG)
Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
Sage home care: California License
Aging Life Care Association Member
tendercare Trusted Network member

Services
Companionship
Safety supervision
Medication adherence
Showering and daily living needs
Groceries, cooking, laundry
Temporary or long-term support
Specialties
Aging Life Care Management
Specialized in Home Care
Therapeutic Engagement Services