OUR STAFF

Josh Obeiter is the Executive Director & Owner of Seniors Helping Seniors, a non-medical home care agency that provides companion and caregiver support to seniors, by seniors. It’s unique model provides meaningful employment for older adults who have an intrinsic desire to help and make a difference in the lives of seniors in need. Seniors Helping Seniors relationship based model is focused on the social-emotional connection between caregiver and client, and is intentional with all of the matches that are made.

For the past 20 years, Josh has been intimately involved with volunteering with seniors, primarily providing intergenerational programming at local nursing homes and assisted living communities; he is well-versed in the challenges that seniors and their families face when it comes to providing care and combating social isolation. Josh is active in several other Boston organizations, including the West Suburban Area Alzheimer’s Partnership and the Aging Life Care Association. He is also the Chair of the 2020 Greater Boston Walk to End Alzheimer’s, is a trained Dementia Ambassador through the Alzheimer’s Association, a Certified Dementia Practitioner and sits on the Board of Directors for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly as well as Better Day Adult Social Day Program.

Jan plays a key role in onboarding new clients and families by helping them navigate our services and ensuring that all clients are matched appropriately. Once services begin, Jan provides quality assurance; checking in with both clients and caregivers to determine that transitions are smooth and relationships are off to a good start. Jan is also involved in the development of special programs that benefit both our client population and other communities that support older adults.

Prior to joining Seniors Helping Seniors, Jan’s career focus had been working to support and enhance the lives of adults with disabilities. For 25 years she served as the Director, Programs for Adults with Disabilities for a non-profit mentoring agency, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters (JBBBS). In her role she oversaw the clinical, financial, and administrative operations of the adult program which served approximately 200 clients and 175 volunteers. The program service involved matching, building and sustaining friendships between clients and community volunteers. She was the first point of contact for clients, families, and staff interested in services.

Jan was instrumental in expanding the original service model of the program at JBBBS from only serving adults age 18-35 to adults across the lifespan, recognizing the lifelong need for companionship. She created and spearheaded an annual sports day and an annual Community Seder (dinner) for adults with disabilities for people living in the Greater Boston Community. She collaborated and developed programs with multiple communal agencies and cultivated partnerships with local activity and service vendors.

Her previous experience includes work with older adults as a Caseworker for Mystic Valley Elder Services, and other professional roles at both Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and Massachusetts Association for the Blind.

Jan believes that the need for companionship is universal at all stages of one’s life and is thrilled to be a member of a team that shares her passion and commitment to this work. In the words of Helen Keller, “I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”

Marie is one of the first points of contact at SHS; answering phones, assisting with scheduling, providing caregiver and client support, and liaising between families and caregivers.

Marie joins us with many years of customer service experience in a wide range of industries. Most recently, Marie worked at a dental supply company, and prior to that she worked at an organization where she was directly involved with long term care policies and claims. Marie has a passion for helping seniors.

“Growing up one of five children I am so appreciative of how much work and support my parents gave to all of us. I now want to be there for my own parents along with helping other families deal with the transition of caring for elderly parents. I am a mother of two amazing college aged children. Now that my children are older I want to start giving back.”

Marie has had many customer service positions where she learned that the customer’s happiness is the number one priority. She’s also worked in summer camp programs and as a preschool teacher. Marie found that supporting parents of young children who are entrusting their children to be cared for by someone besides themselves is a big responsibility. This applies to working with families of all ages, where trusting relationships must be developed and communication is key to keeping all members happy.

In her free time, Marie enjoys spending time with her family, going out to eat, playing tennis, walking, and traveling.

Shannon Taylor is one of the newest members of our team at Seniors Helping Seniors, Greater Boston & Metrowest, joining us in September 2021 as a Client Services Assistant. She very quickly lent a hand in so many different aspects of our office and the work we do, and we have been so thankful to have her on the team!

Shannon was attracted to the role and our mission of connecting seniors with caregivers who are at a similar life stage, forging strong relationships as well as providing much-needed companionship services. She thrives on the rewards and the challenges of the role and how no two days at SHS are ever the same!

Prior to working at SHS, Shannon worked in engineering consulting and real estate. She loves working with and helping people, and decided to seek out a client services role where she could take and grow her passions. As a Client Services Assistant, she supports the client services team at every stage of the process. From getting prospective clients into the SHS system, to helping match caregivers with clients, to supporting clients and their families with their ongoing needs, Shannon truly helps with it all and more.

In her spare time, Shannon loves to be outdoors and in nature. From hiking and paddling to cycling and more, she loves it all.

Gail comes to Seniors Helping Seniors, Greater Boston & Metrowest with a wide range of experience. She has held positions in sales, accounting, research, reporting, reception and customer service. A few years ago, Gail made the decision to take a break from office work and work with children in a teaching role, (something she had always wanted to try). She enjoyed working at both a camp and an aftercare program for children with challenges. Most recently, Gail worked at a child development center where she supported both military and civilian families.

Gail is thrilled to have found a company with a mission that makes sense and is “a match” for her skills, talents and personality. She has first hand knowledge of how Alzheimer’s can progress and how the disease can affect a loved one and her family. Gail finds that she cares for her mother in many of the same ways our clients’ family members and SHS caregivers do. She truly understands how patience and compassion are desirable qualities when it comes to being a SHS companion/caregiver.

Gail looks forward to getting to know SHS caregivers, clients and families. She is very thankful to have been invited to be a part of the SHS community and is committed to bringing her best self to the office each day.

Gail is a wife, a mother of three adult children, one daughter-in-law and a grandmother of two young children. She enjoys spending time with her family and extended family as they gather for holidays, celebrations and vacations. In her free time Gail likes to babysit the grandchildren and take day trips. She loves attending musicals and has a habit of singing throughout the day.

Sue Ann is the first in-person point of contact for all new clients and their families. Sue Ann conducts in-person assessments to get a holistic view of our client’s needs and preferences, and works closely with our team to identify a best fit match.  She then facilitates client/companion introductions to ensure a seamless start to services. Sue Ann also leads our caregiver support group.

Sue Ann has been a Rabbi for over 30 years, and this position uses many of the skills she has developed throughout her career as a congregational rabbi, department head in a national non-profit organization, chaplain intern in a hospital and student rabbi in a continuous care retirement community.

As a student at Brandeis University, Sue Ann participated in and eventually coordinated the Roxbury Group. This group of volunteer students led Saturday morning worship at a nursing home. From that experience Sue Ann developed a strong connection to serving seniors. While in Rabbinical school she was the student rabbi in a continuous care retirement community in the Bronx, NY. There she learned to value seniors and the wisdom they have to share.

Her years of serving congregations, in particular, has given her a great deal of counseling experience; working with families through both joyous and challenging life moments. Sue Ann has supported families as they have struggled to provide care for their aging parents as well as congregants who were themselves aging and in need of greater support. In her own family she has seen how difficult it is to care for aging parents who live at a distance—how critical it is to have local support services for them.

Doug owned the Seniors Helping Seniors franchise in the Metrowest area since 2011. Prior to joining Seniors Helping Seniors Metrowest, Doug had a 30 year career as a senior manager in Human Resources. He saw a need for this service first hand as he was the primary caregiver for his mother for over four years after his father passed. It also became evident that there were many seniors like himself who were not ready to slow down or retire but meaningful jobs for seniors are hard to come by. Being able to provide jobs that allow seniors to give back and make a difference has been a driving force for him. He always took a very hands-on approach to the business and was an active caregiver himself for many of his clients.

A 40 year resident in the Southborough community, Doug has a strong dedication to the surrounding communities and to seniors. He is Certified Senior Advisor and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. He currently sits on the board for BayPath Elder Services, the Southborough Council on Aging and the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he has been active in the Metrowest Alzheimer’s Partnership, the Elder Community Collaborative serving the Marlborough and Hudson areas and the Friends of the Marlborough Seniors.

Additionally, he has given many presentation on caregiving and aging at home to Rotary Clubs, Libraries and area churches.

Besides his new role in the Boston/Metrowest franchise, Doug has started a nonprofit called Still Here For a Reason. It will focus on helping seniors answer the question: How can I still feel useful as I age?

Jeanne worked in academia for a number of years before joining Seniors Helping Seniors. Having been a caregiver herself, Jeanne is mindful of the work caregivers do in order to support our seniors. “After years of working with students, I felt it was time to switch gears and work in an industry that values the older members of society and our unsung heroes, the caregivers.Seniors Helping Seniors gives me the opportunity to work part time and still contribute in a meaningful way.”

Jeanne has a BA in history and an MS in administrative studies.She lives in the Boston area near her two adult children and her large extended family. Jeanne’s hobbies include cooking, traveling and growing bonsai.

Danielle Haynes comes to Seniors Helping Seniors, Greater Boston & MetroWest with a degree in Social Work and a decade of experience in the helping profession. She has worked in various positions throughout her career, but more recently, she was a Director of Care Management, working with children, adults, and Seniors who have Intellectual Disabilities. 

 After being laid off in 2018, Danielle took the opportunity to become a stay-at-home mom. However, she missed helping others, so Danielle joined the team as a Weekend On-Call Care Coordinator. She was attracted to this position because of the agency’s mission to provide person-centered support to seniors, which is her core belief. In Danielle’s experience, the person-centered approach dramatically increases the quality of life of seniors and yields better health outcomes. Therefore, Danielle is excited to be a part of the Seniors Helping Seniors to support the mission. 

 In her spare time, Danielle enjoys reading and listening to music. One of her favorite quotes is “Let nothing dim the light that shines from within,” Maya Angelo.