For Amy and Scott Pierce, Coastal Care Partners wasn’t born from a business plan – it was born from experience.
With more than two decades in nursing, Amy had spent her career caring for older adults across hospitals, primary care settings, and hospice. Over time, she noticed a recurring challenge that extended far beyond any single diagnosis.
“There’s such a tremendous need for helping older adults navigate complex health issues,” she said. “The system can be incredibly difficult, not just for patients, but for their families trying to support them.”
At the same time, Scott was navigating that reality firsthand. Living in Atlanta while his parents remained in Savannah, he found himself managing their care from a distance as their health began to decline.
“When my parents reached their mid-80s, everything became more complicated – doctor visits, daily needs, even communication,” he said. “And trying to coordinate all of that from another city was overwhelming.”
What the Pierces encountered during that time was something many families don’t fully understand until they are in it: The healthcare system is not designed to guide the aging process.
For most people, healthcare feels manageable – until it isn’t. “For younger individuals, healthcare is relatively straightforward,” Scott said. “But as people move into their 70s, 80s, and beyond, there’s no built-in support system to help navigate what comes next.”
Primary care physicians focus on diagnosing and treating specific conditions. Specialists address individual systems. But no one is tasked with helping patients and their families connect the dots. “People simply don’t know what they don’t know,” Scott said.
That lack of guidance often leads to confusion, gaps in care, and unnecessary stress at a time when clarity is needed most. For the Pierces, it became clear that something was missing – and that something needed to be built.
Valerie Colaianni, Robin Coker, Scott Pierce, Amy Pierce, Madison Cassedy, and Cassie Bennett
The Vision
When Coastal Care Partners launched in Savannah in 2018, it began with a single, defining concept: nurse care management.
Rather than leaving families to navigate aging alone, the model places experienced nurses at the center of the process, guiding, coordinating, and advocating every step of the way. “We created a model where a nurse helps families understand the full picture,” Amy said. “Someone who can connect the dots between providers, appointments, and care decisions.”
That role has become increasingly important as medical care grows more complex. It’s not uncommon for older adults to see multiple specialists, each operating independently. “Today’s patients may have five or more physicians involved in their care,” Amy said. “Without someone coordinating that information, it can quickly become overwhelming.”
Through nurse care management, clients receive not only oversight, but also a clear, personalized plan – what Coastal Care Partners calls a “success plan” – designed to support both immediate needs and long-term goals.
As the company grew, so did its understanding of what families truly need. Initially, Coastal Care Partners partnered with outside home care providers. But the experience often fell short of the standard the Pierces had envisioned. “We realized we couldn’t fully control the quality of care if we were relying on outside providers,” Amy said.
So, they expanded. By becoming licensed for in-home care, Coastal Care Partners created a seamless connection between care management and daily support, ensuring that clients received consistent, high-quality care at every level.
“When you combine advocacy with caregiving, the outcomes are significantly better,” Amy said. “Families feel more supported, and clients experience a higher quality of life.”
A Fully Integrated Approach
Today, Coastal Care Partners operates on a three-part model that sets it apart: nurse care management, in-home caregiving, and medical services.
The addition of a chief medical officer and a growing network of concierge primary care practices and specialty services has further strengthened that approach. “Bringing those three components together creates a level of continuity that doesn’t typically exist in healthcare,” Amy said.
Scott noted that most providers operate in silos, focusing on one piece of the puzzle. “Most companies offer a single service,” he said. “What we’ve built is something that addresses the entire journey.”
That distinction has driven rapid growth, positioning Coastal Care Partners as one of the largest providers of its kind in Georgia.
After establishing a strong presence in Savannah, the company recently expanded into Bluffton and Hilton Head, a region with a growing population of retirees and a clear need for specialized aging support.
“We’ve seen such a positive response in the Lowcountry,” Amy said. “There’s a real desire for guidance, especially among families who are trying to plan ahead or manage care from afar.”
Currently offering nurse care management and in-home care, Coastal Care Partners plans to introduce its medical services locally soon, further enhancing its integrated model.
A Process Designed for Peace of Mind
Despite the complexity of aging care, Coastal Care Partners has intentionally designed its process to feel simple and approachable. “It starts with a conversation,” Scott said. “We listen to what’s going on and then send a nurse to meet with the family – at no cost.”
That initial assessment provides clarity and direction, often uncovering needs families might not have recognized on their own. “From there, families can decide what level of support makes sense for them,” he said.
It’s a model built on trust, transparency, and flexibility – meeting families where they are, whether they’re planning proactively or responding to a crisis.
At the heart of Coastal Care Partners is a philosophy that runs counter to much of the traditional healthcare experience. “In health care, you hear ‘no’ all the time,” Scott said. “We built this company to focus on solutions – to figure out how we can say ‘yes’ to families.”
That mindset guides every aspect of the organization, from care planning to day-to-day operations.
It’s a commitment to problem-solving, even when solutions aren’t obvious.
The Donna Rule
For Amy, delivering exceptional care begins with the people who provide it. “We have a standard we call the Donna Rule, named after my mom,” she said. “If we wouldn’t trust someone to care for her, they don’t belong on our team.”
It’s a simple but powerful philosophy, one that resonates deeply with families inviting caregivers into their homes. “We understand how vulnerable that can feel,” Amy said. “So we’re incredibly intentional about who we hire and how we train them.”
To support that commitment, Coastal Care Partners developed its own training program: Coastal Care University.
“It’s a 100-hour program that goes far beyond what’s required,” Amy said. “We wanted to create something that truly prepares caregivers – not just technically, but professionally.”
The program emphasizes communication, mentorship, and ongoing development, ensuring that caregivers are equipped to deliver both skill and compassion.
For families, it offers an added layer of confidence – and peace of mind.
Purpose-Driven Growth
From a two-person startup to a team of more than 300 employees, Coastal Care Partners has grown rapidly, but with intention. “We’ve expanded in a big way, but we’re still very hands-on,” Scott said. “This work is personal to us, and that hasn’t changed.”
That personal connection continues to shape the company’s culture, its services, and its future.
For families navigating the complexities of aging, Coastal Care Partners offers something that is often in short supply: clarity. “What we’ve created is a way to bring everything together so families don’t have to figure it out alone,” Amy said.
In doing so, the Pierces are not only filling a critical gap in the healthcare system, they are redefining what it means to age with dignity, support, and confidence.
To learn more, visit CoastalCarePartners.com.