In October 2016, Emmie Knox and her husband, Louis LeSassier, opened Assisting Hands West Austin with a simple but meaningful goal: to help older adults and families get the personalized support they need to age in place safely and comfortably at home. 

That goal continues to guide everything we do. Over the past 10 years, we’ve had the privilege of caring for over 950 older adults and families throughout Austin and the surrounding communities. We have welcomed countless caregivers to our team, built relationships with local organizations — such as the Area Agency on Aging, the Aging Services Council of Central Texas, and the Memory Caregiver Academy of Austin — and professionals, and, most importantly, been invited into the homes and lives of the people we serve.

As we celebrate 10 years in business, we’re taking a moment to look back with gratitude and look ahead to the years to come. 

A Decade of Personalized Care Rooted in the Austin Community

From the beginning, personalized care has been at the heart of Assisting Hands West Austin. Every person has different needs, preferences, routines, and goals, and the right support should reflect those differences. Whether someone needs help with bathing and dressing, assistance with meals and errands, companionship, or support during a transition in their health, our goal is to provide care that fits the individual. 

Some of the best reflections on our work come from the people and families who have experienced it firsthand:

“Lovely caregivers – brilliant administrative staff – always willing to work with the client no matter the issue. My father (and I) could not have made a better choice than Assisting Hands for his home healthcare needs.”

—Caleb D. 

“We have worked with Assisting Hands for more than three years to provide home care for my father and mother, and Assisting Hands has been very helpful and supportive to our family during a very difficult care giving season.”

—Cindy S.

“Desiree and her team have been nothing short of amazing, they continue to go above and beyond for my mom every time they visit. I could not have asked for better & more competent care. 10/10”

—William R.

Our approach is also deeply rooted in social work. Emmie’s background includes medical social work, hospice, skilled nursing, and crisis intervention, and those experiences helped shape the way Assisting Hands West Austin approaches home care. We believe good care starts with listening, understanding the whole person, and recognizing the needs of both clients and their families.

Meet our social work team here. 

Being part of the Austin community for the past 10 years has also allowed us to build meaningful relationships beyond the homes we serve. We’re grateful for the healthcare professionals, social workers, local organizations, caregivers, families, and community members who have supported us and worked alongside us over the years. 

Here’s what a few of them have to say about their experiences with Assisting Hands West Austin:

“I just wanted to take the time to say how proud I am to work for this company. I truly mean that in every aspect. Emmie never fails to help her employees in any way possible, and alongside her husband, Louis, and the rest of the amazing office staff, they truly make you feel like part of the family. I couldn’t recommend a better company to work for or trust with the care of your loved ones. Assisting Hands provides compassionate care with the proper bedside manner every family deserves.”

—Riana R.

“Love this organization! The couple that own/run it, Emmie and Louis, are very involved and personally get to know their customers. Their staff is well trained and courteous. They do their best to match their caregivers with their customers needs and personalities. Assisting Hands West Austin has been invaluable to several friends of mine in their 90’s. I have personally met many of the staff and seen them in action … It has really given us, and their families, peace of mind to know these seniors are well cared for and in good company.”

—Sue R.

“Working for Assisting Hands has been such a blessing. The staff is amazing and very committed to us and our clients.  Happy 10 yrs in business and I see 30 more years to Go!!!!”

—Nora S.

At the end of the day, home care is about more than helping with everyday tasks. It’s about building relationships, supporting independence, and helping people continue to live their lives in a place they know and love. 

Celebrating 10 Years By Giving Back

Of course, we couldn’t celebrate 10 years of caring for our community without giving back to that community.

To mark this milestone, Assisting Hands West Austin is celebrating with 10 Acts of Kindness over 10 days. Beginning this week, we’ll be spreading a little extra kindness to our caregivers, team, local seniors, and the Austin community. This is just a small way for us to express our gratitude, spread a little joy, and celebrate the people and community who have supported us throughout the past decade.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page, where we’ll be sharing our daily acts of kindness, including what we did, who we celebrated, and what these experiences meant to our team.

Looking Ahead to the Next 10 Years

Reaching 10 years gives us an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come, but it also reminds us why we started in the first place. 

Families will continue to face new challenges as their loved ones age. Care needs will change. Circumstances will shift. And people will continue to want the same thing they’ve wanted for generations: the ability to live with dignity, independence, and support in the place they call home.

We are honored to be a part of that journey.

To every client and family who has trusted Assisting Hands West Austin over the past decade, thank you. To every caregiver who has helped make a difference in someone’s day, thank you. And to the Austin community that has welcomed, supported, and grown alongside us, thank you for being part of our story. 

Here’s to 10 years of care, connection, and community, and to all that lies ahead!