In 2017, Kelly Dugmore took the leap many dream of but few dare—starting her own care company in a foreign country. Today, as CEO of Algarve Care Services (ACS) and a proud IPBN member, Kelly is leading the way in transforming how expat communities in the Algarve experience care, particularly when it comes to living with dementia. As the business undergoes a major rebrand and gears up for expansion, Kelly reflects on a deeply personal journey that inspired her mission.

“After caring for my dad and my nan in the UK, I knew I had found my calling,” she shared. “Setting up a care company wasn’t just a dream—it became a tribute to the people who shaped me.”

Kelly’s professional path began with hands-on care and evolved into leadership, healthcare training, and eventually business ownership. But it was a personal tragedy that gave her work a new sense of urgency. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, her mother—Janet Dugmore, a lifelong inspiration—was diagnosed with early-stage dementia. A month later, she passed away after contracting COVID-19.

“Her final words to me were: ‘Don’t worry darling, don’t cry, it will all be OK, I promise. Be strong. I love you.’ Those words are now part of the DNA of ACS—they guide everything we do.”

Algarve Care Services is more than a care provider. It’s a community-focused initiative built to serve English-speaking residents of Portugal who want to age with dignity and support. The company offers hourly and live-in care options that allow individuals to remain comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible.

Kelly’s commitment to dementia care has driven one of ACS’s most innovative new projects: the Memory Lane Dementia Café. “It’s a sanctuary—not just for those living with dementia, but also for their families,” she explained. “It’s a space where people can find support, engage in fun and meaningful activities, and connect with others who understand what they’re going through.”

With over 12 years of healthcare experience in the UK and now two successful care businesses under her belt, Kelly is steering ACS into a bold three-phase growth plan: first, to expand its community care services across the Algarve; next, to develop small residential care settings; and ultimately, to create a purpose-built Dementia Care Holiday Resort—a one-of-a-kind project that blends respite with support in a way rarely seen in Europe.

“The Algarve isn’t just home—it’s where this dream was made real,” said Kelly. “Portugal has made huge strides in social care, but there’s still work to do. We’re here to help bridge that gap, especially for the expat community.”

Through it all, Kelly remains deeply connected to the human side of her work. “I’m not a nurse, but I care. I always have. My skill is in understanding people, listening, and making things happen. Our slogan sums it up best: ‘It’s better to know us and not need us than to need us and not know us.’”

Kelly Dugmore’s journey is one of courage, compassion, and a fierce determination to make things better—not only for her clients, but for the care landscape in Portugal as a whole.