Compassionate In-Home Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care — Serving Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh and communities throughout the Triangle
From short-visit companion care to round-the-clock 24/7 needs, call Acorn when you want your loved one to live safely and comfortably at home.
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Meet Acorn
Acorn is a family-owned business founded by husband and wife, Lorenzo Mejia and Mary Lynn Ryerson. After caring for Lorenzo’s mother for several years following her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, they understand the value of compassionate, high-quality in-home caregivers.
Both Lorenzo and Mary Lynn were certified as Qualified Dementia Care Specialists in 2012, bringing deep personal experience and a strong commitment to preserving the dignity of every client.
Lorenzo’s leadership and advocacy have earned him both national and local recognition. In 2014, he was named the Dementia Care Professional of the Year by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. In 2018, Chapel Hill voted Acorn “The People’s Choice” for Helping Hands. Acorn has also received numerous recognitions from the Orange County Department on Aging. Acorn carefully screens every caregiver to ensure satisfaction and peace of mind for families in Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh and beyond.
As a locally owned, technology-forward company, we prioritize delivering the best customer experience without corporate influence, emphasizing a personal touch and focusing on the unique needs of you and your loved ones.
Our Areas of Expertise
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
Compassionate support ensuring dignity and safety for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Companion Care
Trusted companionship and support to promote independence and community engagement.
24/7 Care
Continuous, around-the-clock care providing peace of mind for families and loved ones.
Short Visits
We have no hourly minimum. In many cases, we can provide caregivers for short visits as needed.
Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Support with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, transfers, ambulation, and medication reminders.
Hospice Support
During your loved one’s final days, we work alongside the hospice company you have selected to ensure continuous care and peace of mind.
Recognitions of Excellence
Our Journey of Trusted Care
2012
Mary Lynn and Lorenzo found Acorn after caring for Lorenzo’s mom for five years.
2013
Mary Lynn and Lorenzo become Qualified Dementia
Care Specialists.
2014
🏆 Dementia Care Professional of the Year
Lorenzo Mejia received this prestigious national honor from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America for outstanding advocacy and service.
2015
🌟 Orange County Caregiver of the Year
Caregiver Cassandra Graham recognized for exceptional, compassionate care by Orange County officials. Other caregivers were also recognized.
2018
🎖 Best Helping Hands
Acorn voted “Best Helping Hands” in Chapel Hill’s People’s Choice Awards, beating out nominees including The Ronald McDonald House and The Orange County Department on Aging.
2018
Hometown Hero
Lorenzo named Hometown Hero by WCHL radio for his work founding and promoting Dementia Friendly Orange County.
2019
Lorenzo is a frequent speaker on Alzheimers and Dementia at local and regional conferences.
2020
Acorn receives its 50th 5-star review in Google.
2023
Lorenzo launches The Caring Corner on YouTube, offering care guidance and information about Alzheimers, dementia, nursing homes, care at home, etc. Garners over 1 million views.
2024
Acorn receives over 100 5-star reviews in Google.
2025
Acorn helps over 850 clients care for their loved ones in Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh and other communities throughout the Triangle.
The Acorn Difference
Proven Leadership in Dementia Care
Founder Lorenzo Mejia, honored nationally and locally, leads with deep experience — including awards from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, WCHL, and the Orange County Department on Aging. He also founded Dementia Friendly Orange County.
Exceptional Caregivers
With Acorn, you don’t just get the “caregiver of the day”. You have the right to meet and interview the caregiver in advance. Once you pick the ideal person to help your loved one, that relationship is permanent. We will never assign them to another client.
Smarter, Streamlined Care
Secure digital tools make scheduling and
communication simple—improving service while keeping costs efficient.
Locally Owned, Personally Committed
As a family-run agency, we deliver the service we’d want for our own loved ones—driven by values, not corporate policy.
Trusted, personalized support for seniors across North Carolina— so your family can rest easy.
Real Families, Real Stories
We were so lucky to have have had the assistance of of Nyasha! She was dependable, kind, smart, with a cheerful demeanor and oh so gentle when helping my grandmother…yet she’s mighty strong when moving her. We have nothing but the highest respect for her skills and spirit! And another great person who helped immensely was Bela. A very engaging helpful young lady, with an infectious smile, is a great listener, also very dependable, intelligent and gentle. Again, we were so lucky so have them both attending to my elderly grandmother.
I’ve been using Acorn for the past several months for my 92 year old mother, and they are the best! I’m so thankful for this service and the wonderful people we get from them. A special thank you goes to Crystal and Yolanda. My mother loves them both, and I think they love her too. I don’t know what I’d do without this service!
I am grateful for ACORN’s quick action in providing sitters when the need arose for a family member. They were dedicated to our patient’s comfort and brought expertise and sensitivity to their work. The administrators and owners of ACORN also care deeply about their clients and spent much time on the phone with me providing insight into my patient’s situation. Special thanks to sitters Gideon, Victor, Yenniser, and John!
ACORN
141 Providence Road, Suite 230A, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: +1 (919) 877-6947
Email: info@acornhcs.com
Copyright © 2025 Acorn Holdings, Inc – All Rights Reserved.