Meet some of our caregivers

Susan joined Seniors Helping Seniors, Greater Boston & Metrowest in February 2021, after a long career as a postmaster. Susan thrives on helping others, and that’s what drove her to seek out a role with us at SHS, and she immediately bonded with her clients.

She loves being able to provide help, love, companionship and friendship for her clients, and is committed to making sure they are safe and happy. Susan is a true nurturer and quickly works to build trust with her clients and their families. The relationships she’s built is her favorite part about SHS. Recently, Susan had a client get released from the hospital and she lights up when she talks about the excitement they both had when they were reunited. 

A typical day for Susan and her clients involves making sure medicine is taken, helping to shower, get dressed, brushing teeth and styling hair (which she loves doing!). The remainder of the days are spent on little adventures to get lunch, the movies or to see a play, or even a mani/pedi. Other days include a long car ride and conversations, exercises and lots of walks in the fresh air. Susan also helps clients get ready for bed, helps make dinner, and ensures a safe sleep. 

In her free time, Susan loves spending time with her grandchildren, boating, traveling, reading and walking.

Rama joined Seniors Helping Seniors, Greater Boston & Metrowest in February 2021, eager to do something she’d be interested in for a while — working with the elderly population. Prior to SHS, Rama worked as an architect before owning and managing a restaurant with her husband, which they unfortunately closed due to the pandemic. She was ready for a fresh start in a new industry helping others!

Since losing her mother, Rama finds it nourishing to be able to work and care for elderly clients as she had for years with her own mother. That compassion drives her daily work at SHS. She currently says each visit with her clients feels like she is visiting her mother. With these clients, she cooks, cleans, shops, goes on walks and exercises, all while conversing to stimulate old memories for those who have Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. She feels humbled by their love and appreciation, and notes that this is the most fulfilling job she’s had.

Recently, Rama supported one of her clients through radiation treatments and was with her during her final treatment when she was able to ring the bell to signify the end. She notes how the smile while joyously ringing the bell is one of her best memories to date. Rama is truly inspired by everyone she works with and we’re inspired by her!

In her free time, Rama loves cooking and art, whether it’s painting, architecture or knitting clothing for herself and family. She also loves running with her dog and they recently completed a half marathon!

Claire joined Seniors Helping Seniors, Greater Boston & Metrowest in October 2017 upon retirement. With her husband still working full time, Claire quickly realized she needed something rewarding to occupy her new free time. Upon discovering SHS, she was excited to be able to do something she loved — helping others!

Prior to working with SHS, Claire worked as a Surgical Technologist in various operating rooms for more than 50 years… quite an accomplishment! She loves how she now has flexibility in her work schedule and how well she’s been matched with each of her clients’ personalities.

Claire notes how each of her client experiences are unique but often they spend a lot of time reminiscing and sharing each others’ life stories. Laughter and music is also a big part of her client experience and she loves singing with clients and finding the fun in everything they do together. She also takes clients on errands, like grocery shopping, doctor appointments and even hair appointments.

She has one client whom she’d often shop with then enjoy walks along the Charles River, visits to museums, libraries and even out to lunch.

Museum visits are a favorite of Claire’s with clients. One of her best SHS memories is visiting the Museum of Fine Arts with a client who could guide her through every single exhibit and artist there!

When she’s not with her SHS clients, Claire enjoys working out and spending time with her husband, daughter and grandson. 

Jeff joined Seniors Helping Seniors, Greater Boston & Metrowest at the end of June 2020 and immediately began helping our team! She had recently lost her volunteer job at Emerson Hospital due to COVID-19 but still wanted to be involved in the community. She heard about SHS from her neighbor, Ed, another one of our caregivers.

Prior to working with SHS, Jeff held various sales and marketing roles for 40 years and then worked as a F.I.S.H. Coordinator. She is a natural-born helper, and loves being a part of a team of people who love what they do, helping others.

With SHS, Jeff provides companionship, performs light household chores like fixing meals and doing laundry, and loves walking and watching Judge Judy with her client (it’s her client’s favorite show!). She is a great listener and loves to talk, bond and connect over shared stories, past memories and laughs.

Jeff dedicates her free time to her dogs and loves to make life fun!

Betsy joined Seniors Helping Seniors, Greater Boston & Metrowest in 2017, eager to spread love and support, while providing valuable companionship! Betsy came to us with past experience working as a companion, helping people who are isolated and disenfranchised, in prison, shelters and recovery programs. She is also a holistic health educator, Interfaith minister and mediator, committed to helping all of those around her.

Betsy was drawn to SHS because of the sense of community we have amongst our caregivers and the caregiving work we do. She cherishes the relationships she’s built with her clients, and a typical week of caregiving for her includes talking, singing, listening and laughing, walking, meditating, doing puzzles, yoga, cooking and running errands. Betsy has also helped many of our caregivers address bereavement, leading our Death Cafes and The Conversation Project.

In her free time, Betsy loves to stay active, travel, visit with friends and family, read and sing in her hospice choir, Journey Songs. Singing is a true passion of hers, and one of her fondest memories is singing with a client, and as his memory faded for words, they would improvise, making up tunes and words with each other, while laughing and dancing. Finding and celebrating the simple joys is something Betsy is incredible at, and we are so thankful for!

Bill joined Seniors Helping Seniors, Greater Boston & Metrowest in March 2019, coming to us with some incredible prior experience working with the elderly. Bill’s past experience includes working as a Home Health Aide for Mount Auburn Home Care, and later for the Arlington Council on Aging as Transportation Coordinator and Supervisor of Volunteer Program. Bill credits these experiences, as well as working in Tanzania, East Africa in the 1970’s, for his ability to sit, listen and develop meaningful relationships.

Bill cherishes his time spent with seniors, listening to their stories and providing mutually beneficial stimulation for their retirement years. He loves the variety of activities he’s able to share with clients, from long walks and dining out along the Charles River, to museum visits, including the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, and sharing root beer floats at Cabot’s Ice Cream and Restaurant (a client favorite!).

With a smiling face and friendly personality, everyone who meets Bill feels an instant connection, and we love chatting with him at our Tuesday Evening Support Group and so much more.

John began his work with SHS in May of 2017 after a long career as a Mental Health Counselor. Upon meeting John and hearing about his background working with individuals struggling with a variety of issues including substance abuse and homelessness, we quickly realized that he had a heart of gold and would work well with our population. John took to learning about his new role as a caregiver with ease and has taken advantage of every learning opportunity that comes his way. We are particularly struck by John’s ability to connect with his clients as a peer. He uses his life experiences to relate to others and approaches his work with a tremendous amount of compassion and empathy. John works hard to find commonalities with his clients, treating them as equals with valuable life experiences and lessons. He is supportive of his Caregiver colleagues and humble about his vast experience and credentials in the mental health industry. To his clients, John is a calm and respectful presence who helps people feel at ease about accepting help, and emphasizing the mutual benefits he receives by the relationship. We are grateful that John chose SHS to enhance life after retirement, or, as John would say, “post-career”!

Amy has been working with Seniors Helping Seniors since October of 2016, and she’s been an amazing support to her clients. Amy has an exceptional warmth and compassion, which is apparent immediately after meeting her. She has an infectious smile and laugh, and an uncanny ability to brighten the day of her clients. Amy grew up in Kenya and she understands and is sensitive to how other cultures view aging. Amy takes her role as a caregiver very seriously and is often trying to find creative ways to keep her clients’ engaged. Her clients love her upbeat personality and her willingness to help in any way she can. She is communicative with the office staff and takes advantage of any learning opportunity that she can in order to understand how best to support her clients. She exudes empathy and we feel so fortunate to have her on our team.

Judy has been with SHS since 2015, and in fact, was one of the first caregivers that we hired! Judy is a natural caregiver and companion and gives 150% to everyone that she visits. She builds tremendous relationships with all those that she helps – whether it’s visiting with someone twice a week to ensure they are safe, stimulated and engaged, or driving someone to a medical appointment! Judy makes a lasting positive impression on our clients and their families – who are extraordinarily grateful to have her in their life. Judy is an advocate for everyone she spends time with. She is thorough, communicative and always warm. Judy is exceptionally flexible and goes out of her way to accommodate the different needs of everyone that she helps and supports. When asked recently about her time on staff at SHS, Judy replied that she feels fortunate that the lovely people she takes care of are ones she truly enjoys spending time with. We are lucky to have such a thoughtful and conscientious bright light in our SHS family.

Marge has been working for SHS since 2016. During her time on staff, she has made a big impact on both her clients and her colleagues. Marge is a retired pediatric nurse and has been able to apply a combination of clinical knowledge and compassion to the work that she does with her clients. Her clients refer to her as a “treasure” and “superb” and we agree! Marge is kind and patient in the face of resistance and has the ability to make even the most ambivalent clients receptive to care. Marge has an amazing ability to make people feel like she’s an old and dear friend. She is insightful and intuitive; both qualities that make her stand out as an exceptional caregiver. We have learned a lot from Marge and find ourselves seeking her guidance on challenging situations. We feel very fortunate to have Marge on our SHS caregiving team!

Victor came on board Seniors Helping Seniors in September 2020, inspired by his desire to give back and be helpful to others at this stage of his life. His background includes personal family experience with dementia. Victor earned an associate’s degree from Ben Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston; before joining SHS, he worked in the automotive industry for 25 years, preceded by administrative stints in healthcare and corporate world settings. While in the auto industry, Victor worked primarily as a mechanic. He has a friendly, easy-going personality and is very empathic, making him a good fit for this work. Family is very important to Victor and much of his family lives on his block, a rarity these days. When not working, Victor likes to keep active and enjoys camping, biking, hiking with his dog, gardening, reading, and anything car-related.