Van Lankford & Home Instead:
A Business Built on Caring
When Van Lankford opened Home Instead in Mount Airy in 2011, his mission was personal. After losing his mother, Van realized his father needed help living safely and independently at home. As a husband, father, and only child living an hour away, he understood firsthand the challenges families face when caring for aging loved ones.
That experience led Van to Home Instead—not initially as a business owner, but as a client. Years later, after 23 years in church ministry, he found a new way to serve others through senior care. Today, Van and his wife, Ann, co-own the business, helping older adults and their families throughout Surry County.
A Culture of Caring
For Van, Home Instead is more than a business. It’s an extension of his calling to serve others. He takes pride in building a workplace culture that values employees as much as clients, contributing to a team with impressive longevity in an industry known for high turnover.
His approach is grounded in two principles: relationships and service. Van believes that trust is essential to doing business in a small town and that helping others should always come before asking what you can gain.
A Rotarian since 2001, Van has carried that philosophy into his community involvement. He served as president of the Mount Airy Rotary Club in 2014–2015 and as District Governor of Rotary District 7690 in 2023–2024. He remains active with the Surry Sunrise Rotary Club.
Finding a Temporary Home at Interworks
In late 2025, Van needed a temporary office while Home Instead prepared to move to a new location. When the timing of the move didn’t align with the end of his existing lease, he reached out to Interworks.
The coworking space provided the flexibility Home Instead needed to continue serving clients without interruption during the transition.
“I honestly don’t know what I would have done without Interworks,” Van shared. “Mount Airy is extremely fortunate to have a resource like Interworks.”
Beyond the convenience, Van appreciated the welcoming environment and attention to customer experience—values that closely align with how he operates Home Instead. He believes people remember how an organization makes them feel, especially when they are navigating challenging circumstances.
Getting to Know Van
Outside of work, Van enjoys spending time with Ann, their two grown children, their families, and their three granddaughters, with a fourth granddaughter expected in February. He also enjoys visiting Pages Books and Coffee in downtown Mount Airy.
Van has a passion for men’s fashion, too, and works part-time at F. Rees on Main Street—a job that feels more like a hobby than work.
Through Home Instead, Rotary, and his everyday connections around Mount Airy, Van continues to live out his belief that meaningful relationships and a commitment to serving others are at the heart of both business and community.
elderly, Home Instead, homecare, Mount Airy, small business, wellness