Hello, I'm Ai Tamiya Yim.
Originally from Kumamoto, Japan, I moved to the United States at age 31 and have worked in healthcare and caregiving in both countries, Japan and the United States. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges of aging alone, I founded THT Harmony with a mission to support those facing this journey.
As an End-of-Life Planning Advisor and Life Concierge, I'm here to help you live with security and authenticity.
My Background
I moved to the United States at age 31.
Originally, I worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist (ST) in Japan. To advance my career, I decided to challenge myself with English—despite it being my weakest subject—and came to the U.S. as a language student. After language school, I pursued a graduate degree to work as a Speech-Language Pathologist in America. Through clinical internships and my post-graduation Clinical Fellowship (CF), I experienced the U.S. healthcare and caregiving systems firsthand and learned about approaches to care and navigating systems that differ greatly from Japan.
My Healthcare and Caregiving Experience in Japan and the U.S.
In Japan, I worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in settings that utilized both medical and long-term care insurance systems. Through this work, I gained deep insight into the challenges of the field and how healthcare and caregiving collaborate within those systems.
In the United States, I have worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), and home health, primarily serving adults and older adults across a wide range of medical settings.
The U.S. healthcare system operates very differently from Japan's—with shorter hospital stays, clearly defined professional roles where providers rarely step outside their specialty, and fragmented care that often ends when a patient transitions between facilities.
Within this system, I met many older adults who felt overwhelmed by post-discharge life, health management, and navigating complex procedures. Many seniors living independently find that as they age, their decision-making abilities decline, leaving them uncertain about what to do next.
Witnessing their anxiety and isolation, I came to believe strongly that **there is a need for someone who can walk alongside them, help organize their concerns, and be there when they feel lost.**
How My Mission Began
An encounter with one elderly woman became a major turning point in my life.
She had cared for her husband through his final days and continued living independently for over a decade, well into her late 80s. She was a woman of strong will—"I want to do things for myself as much as possible" and "I will live independently until the very end"—and had meticulously prepared for her future.
I first met her when her chronic respiratory condition worsened and she was admitted to the SNF where I worked. It started with me helping as an interpreter. After her discharge, I stayed in touch and began volunteering to help with her daily life.
She had originally designated someone else as her Power of Attorney (POA), but when that person had to step down due to health issues, she asked me to serve as her POA and Trustee.
"I want to live at home as long as possible. When the time comes, I'll move to a facility and pass away there."
I did my best to honor that wish. As her health changed, there were difficult times, but I stayed by her side. After she passed, I handled the funeral arrangements, organized her assets, and distributed her estate—fulfilling each responsibility with care.
Through this experience, I came to understand deeply:
**How incredibly difficult it is to age alone**
**Why so many burdens and hardships descend upon people at the end of life**
At the same time, I felt a powerful calling:
**I want to be someone who can reach out and help**
**I want to support Japanese seniors who have worked so hard throughout their lives**
She left me with these words:
"There is no one else like you. Please help more Japanese people like me who are living on their own."
Those words became the foundation of everything I do.
With that promise in my heart, I founded "Aichan to Seikatsu Support" (now THT Harmony) in 2024.
What I Hold Dear
Japanese seniors who live with dignity, no matter their circumstances—I am deeply moved by their resilience, and supporting them is at the core of my work.
I feel the weight of walking alongside someone through their most important life decisions. Healthcare, finances, living arrangements, and how to face the end of life—each of these holds a lifetime of experiences and feelings.
I also stay close to the complex, often unspoken emotions that seniors face as they confront aging, change, and the future: uncertainty, anxiety, loneliness, conflict, and hope. I honor all of these feelings without judgment, helping each person process them at their own pace so they can feel even a little lighter.
In the United States, where medical and living costs are high and legal matters are deeply woven into daily life, **end-of-life planning is essential preparation**—not just for reducing future anxiety, but for continuing to live authentically. It's an important process for everyone, regardless of age.
As an End-of-Life Planning Advisor and Life Concierge, I help untangle the complex web of healthcare, caregiving, legal matters, finances, and personal wishes—supporting you toward a life of security and authenticity.
As your **"trusted window for solving life's challenges,"** I provide fully personalized, steadfast support rooted in **Trust, Harmony (peace of mind), and Togetherness**, delivered with sincerity and care.
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Testimonial
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Ai Yim for over seven years. During that time, she impressed me deeply with her intelligence, leadership, and remarkable empathy.
Ai originally joined us as a speech-language pathologist, but it quickly became clear that her talents extended far beyond that role. She took initiative not only in therapy but also in leading our interdisciplinary efforts in wound care and nutrition. Her ability to integrate clinical knowledge with practical, patient-centered solutions helped raise the overall standard of care in our facility.
Ai has a unique gift: she is incredibly intelligent, yet she communicates with clarity and warmth across all levels—patients, families, doctors, and hospital case managers. Her insight into healthcare systems, combined with her cultural sensitivity and bilingual skills, made her an irreplaceable member of our team.
What I admire most is her unwavering commitment to supporting elderly individuals, especially during times of transition or vulnerability. Her passion, professionalism, and integrity will no doubt continue to be a blessing to everyone she works with.
Spencer Nordfelt
Facility Administrator, Skilled Nursing Facility