When faced with the life-changing challenge of caring for aging loved ones, there are countless tasks to manage and decisions to be made, often making the process overwhelming. Thankfully, people like Jane Pamphile Mundt are there to help. From their home office in San Clemente, Jane and her husband, Keith, run Next Step Senior Care Inc, providing vital guidance and support to families in San Clemente and nearby communities as they navigate the complex world of elder care. 

For Jane, caregiving isn’t just a profession-it is a calling deeply rooted in her upbringing and personal experiences. Her journey into a life of care planning and advocacy began in childhood, inspired by her mother, Maud Pamphile, a dedicated nurse. From an early age, Jane and her siblings were taught the importance of serving others. Known as the Pamphile 4, they performed gospel songs for elderly residents in skilled nursing facilities, spreading joy and connection through music. “She raised us to have compassion for individuals who are often undervalued and overlooked in society,” Jane reflects. This early foundation of empathy and service became the cornerstone of her life’s work. 

When Jane was just 18, her caregiving role became deeply personal. Her father, who had been terminally ill for much of her childhood, needed her care during his final years. She recalls growing up in hospital halls, where she became familiar with the challenges and resilience of caregiving. Little did she know that this experience would prepare her for even greater challenges ahead. 

In her 20s, Jane found herself stepping into the role of caregiver once again when her mother was diagnosed with early-onset dementia after the removal of a brain tumor. Despite her young age, Jane managed her mother’s care through various stages, from independent living to skilled nursing facilities, until Maud’s passing in October 2014. Jane earned her certification as an RCFE (Retirement Community for the Elderly) administrator certification and gerontology, a certificate in gerontology that she has paired with her master's degree in education, strengthening her voice as an advocate for her mom and/or other aging individuals and their family. Throughout this journey, Jane’s resilience and resourcefulness grew as she navigated the complexities of caregiving and became a tireless advocate for her mother and others in similar situations. 

Jane’s advocacy efforts intensified when her mother moved into the community, Capistrano Care Center (formerly Beverly Manor), which was chosen for its proximity to her home. At the time, Capo Care had a poor reputation, but Jane was determined to make a difference. Drawing on guidance from California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), she co-founded a family council, rallied other families, and spearheaded a complete transformation of the facility. Over time, Capo Care’s rating soared from zero to five stars, earning recognition as one of California’s top facilities for a season. 

Jane’s approach focused on fostering a supportive environment for staff, recognizing that happy, appreciated caregivers provide better care for residents. She organized staff appreciation events throughout the year, from providing meals for every shift to giving small tokens of gratitude. This not only boosted staff morale but also inspired management to invest in renovations, turning Capo Care into a place of excellence for both staff and residents. 

A pivotal moment in Jane’s journey came in 2007 when her mother suffered a stroke. At the time, Jane was a ten-year veteran schoolteacher and fitness instructor. That summer, she dedicated herself to aiding her mother’s recovery at a rehabilitation facility, integrating breathwork techniques into her care. The results were remarkable: not only did her mother’s recovery accelerate, but the progression of her dementia also slowed, a success noted by the facility’s Director of Rehabilitation. 

Inspired by this outcome, Jane decided to pivot her career entirely. She retired from teaching and focused on helping older adults improve their quality of life through fitness and breathwork. She developed the F.I.T. (Functional Integrated Training) program, an integrative breathing and fitness class for individuals in assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. The program enhances memory stimulation and promotes cognitive and physical health in older adults. 

As she immersed herself in local communities with F.I.T., Jane recognized the need for more support and guidance for families transitioning their loved ones into communities. This led her to start Next Step Senior Care Inc. with a mission to connect families to the right care solutions with compassion and genuine expertise. At Next Step Senior Care Inc., Jane and her team are dedicated to empowering seniors and their families to navigate life’s transitions with dignity and ease. They provide professional referrals for senior living options, care coordination for caregiver services, and resources, along with personalized care plan development to address current and future needs. 

Next Step’s placement services are free and invaluable, as Jane has personal relationships with the local assisted living communities and board-and-care homes and helps you identify which options are the best fit for each individual and their family. “I want to find the right fit and provide families with as much knowledge as possible upfront. I aim to equip elders and their families to start this journey successfully, making them feel comfortable and confident in their decisions. That means working closely with the communities or board-and-care owners to ensure their facilities are the best they can be. I also check in with families to ensure everything is going well and help them problem-solve or find their voice if they need assistance. I don’t want them to feel stuck. My goal is to make the environment the best possible for their loved ones.” 

For seniors aging at home, Next Step provides care coordination and creates customized emergency plans and detailed care guidebooks. They educate clients on various options and coordinate services to ensure personalized, reliable care. Next Step is not a caregiver agency; they work with families and the agencies or individual caregivers (family or friends) enlisted to provide care. 

Jane Mundt has created a legacy of care, advocacy, and innovation. Her personal journey, combined with her professional abilities, makes her a trusted guide for families seeking the right care solutions. With a heart full of compassion and a mind dedicated to excellence, Jane continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.b 

Next Step Senior Care 

(949) 573-8504 | www.nextstepsco.com