The talk by Jonathan Mills certainly hit home. All of us will need to take some tough decisions with aging. The work that Cllr Jonathan is doing – “putting the person at the centre when ageing, works”.
Cllr Jonathan Mills built a successful career by working with the elderly and in government, with a deep understanding of the needs of aging populations. Raised in Cape Town by a doctor father and a nurse mother, Jonathan spent ten years in corporate healthcare before founding a nursing agency.
His early exposure to nursing homes made him realize there had to be a better way to approach aging—one that prioritized dignity, independence, and personal choice for the elderly.

This led to his focus on person-centered care, an approach that flips traditional institutional elder care on its head. Rather than fitting individuals into the rigid routines of large institutions, person-centered care tailors support around each person’s unique needs, wants, and preferences. Jonathan understood that a sudden loss of independence, which can happen to anyone, shouldn’t automatically lead to a life of full-time supervision in a nursing home. Instead, he envisioned a more gradual, flexible approach to care, allowing people to retain control over their lives for as long as possible.
In 2012, Jonathan founded CareCompany with this mission in mind. Recognizing that paying for care, especially high-level or end-of-life care, is a luxury many cannot afford, CareCompany focused on creating affordable and flexible care options. By 2016, they had transitioned to a not-for-profit model, driven by the reality of South Africa’s aging population and the need for community-based solutions.
Today, CareCompany supports seniors’ clubs in areas like Masiphumelele, Ocean View, and the Cape Flats. They also run the ‘Whole Heart’ mentoring program, working with elderly societies to connect them with local businesses, NPOs, and government training programs. Their goal is to help these clubs become community assets, offering much-needed support to the elderly in a way that respects their autonomy.
Jonathan’s belief remains at the core of CareCompany: aging doesn’t mean losing control of your destiny. Whether someone needs a little help at home or a safe space for more intensive care, the focus is always on keeping the person at the center of their care journey.


“Team Daniel” did well on Friday. Left: Debby as bosun, Right Lionel giving “heart felt” thanks to Jonathan for the important role he plays to assist the aged grow old with dignity!