Our People
Our mission has always been to improve the quality of life for the seniors and adults with disabilities we serve. That means it's always about the people we serve and our dedicated team of caregivers and office members who work tirelessly to care for clients. We live and breathe our mission every day, with the goal of helping you navigate the journey. These are the people who work to bring you and your loved ones the highest caliber of in‑home care.
Need help right now? Call us anytime at
(352) 363-5552
Christine Blum, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, BA - Owner and President
I am honored to be the owner and president of Right at Home Ocala. As a recent retiree from an executive role in corporate America, my choice was clear - to improve the quality of life for our aging population who want and deserve to live and thrive in their homes for as long as is reasonably possible. This is close to my heart as I was a daughter and caregiver to my mother for over 20 years.
My father passed away suddenly when I was just 15 years old. My mother was disabled, could not drive and needed help with basic daily living such as grocery shopping, doctor visits, meals and hygiene. She was my mom and we were in it together. I saw my mom through independent living to assisted living, through cognitive care and skilled nursing facilities and finally Hospice. It was my honor and privilege to do so even while attending college, building a career and starting a family.
My mother was laid to rest at the age of 79 while I was just 33 years old. I went on to help care for several other precious and spunky seniors through my extended friends and family, one of which is also a part of the Right at Home Ocala team.
Being an executive working for a fortune 100 company required commitment, hard work, and tenacity all of which I have and then some. When the time came to retire, I knew what my next calling was. While my loved ones had the people and resources to care for them, many do not. So many need just a bit more care and companionship to be healthy and happy in their own homes and to maintain independence. Families want that for their loved ones even when they can't be there themselves. I am committed to extend my experience and passion for helping others with their physical and emotional well-being, head to toe, heart to soul.
As a part of the Hernando and Citrus County communities, we pledge to provide the absolute best in homecare and assistance through an experienced and qualified staff, continuing education, and support.
Thank you for the honor and privilege to serve you and your loved ones.
Christine Blum, Owner and President
Mary Boshears-Birchler, CNA, Care Manager
I am thrilled to start a new chapter of my life with the Right at Home Ocala team. Up until now, I worked in various jobs in the medical field, owned and operated a landscaping company but most gratifying was my position serving those with mental disabilities through the Hernando ARC. I think caring for others has always been my calling and I’ve had the honor of caring for my aging loved-ones over the years. At the age of 30, my grandmother lived with me rather than the alternative of an Assisted Living Community. Like most seniors, she preferred to remain as independent as possible as she grew older. I loved listening to the stories she’d share with me, especially the ones about her and my grandpop. I cared for my grandmother for two years until she passed away at 90 years old with me by her side, holding her hand.
After that early experience, I made a promise to my parents to always be there to take care of them. At the age of 60 my father was diagnosed with colon cancer and shortly after with Parkinson’s. After his wife passed away unexpectedly, I didn’t hesitate to move him and my little sister into my home. For 10 years my father slowly lost his abilities of daily living but he was always positive and happy to be home surrounded by friends and family. As long as he had his sweet tea, The Pittsburgh Steelers on the TV and an occasional game of Poker (in which he always swept the table), he was smiling. My father passed away two weeks after his 70th birthday in my home and with a jar full of poker change on his end table.
My mother was a strong-willed woman and had a heart of gold. Her independence took a sudden turn when was diagnosed with a brain aneurism requiring three brain surgeries. Even with the headaches and tremors, she tried to remain in her own home but we knew it was time for her to live with me. While she needed assistance with daily activities, we would also go shopping, out to eat, to get her hair done, or simply go to her favorite place for sangrias. My mother passed away on April 3rd, 2020 after complications from a fall so Fall Prevention is a passion of mine that I want to pass onto others.
My mom was so excited when her second daughter and my life-long friend, Christine, asked me to come aboard with her to be a part of the Right at Home Ocala team. I know she is smiling down on us as we pursue the work that has a special place in both their hearts.
Tina S. Smith, RN, BSN, Registered Nurse and Administrator
Upon earning my nursing degree in Missouri many years ago, I began my career as most nurses did at that time, on a medical/surgical ward in a city hospital. That is where a new nurse would learn all the basic skills of nursing, as well as lab testing, diagnostic testing, the most common surgeries, and medical conditions a nurse would need to be familiar with in their career. As my passion grew for caring for those in need, I began to venture out into other areas of the healthcare field.
I currently possess over 30 years of nursing experience in various fields of nursing, instruction, and management. Home health and training have been my most recent experiences and my most rewarding. My nursing background includes being a Long Term Care Charge Nurse, Home Health Registered Nurse, Chronic and Acute Hemodialysis Nurse, plus nursing instruction and management background as a Home Health Aide Instructor, Nursing Assistant Instructor, Health Services Administrator for a Non-profit Company and Manager, Nationwide Vaccination Company across the State of Florida.
I am all too familiar with the services that may be needed for loved ones to age in place and allow them to stay as independent as possible. I am now caring for my 82-year-old mother (in her own home) and thankful that Right at Home can provide services to assist me with many of the things my mother requires assistance with. As the Registered Nurse and Administrator for Right at Home Nature Coast, I will confirm and monitor safe practices in the client’s home. In addition, I will ensure our caregivers are skilled through initial and ongoing training as well as in-home supervisory visits.
We are committed to our clients and senior population and pledge to provide the very best in home care and assistance. I hope you will give Right at Home Ocala the opportunity to serve the needs of your own family and loved ones.
