Companions & Homemakers Salutes Caregivers in Statewide Campaign

Companions & Homemakers, Connecticut’s leading homecare agency, has launched a campaign to highlight the extraordinary caregivers that are at the heart of the company.

The initiative, “The Promise…A Caregiver’s Story,” features a series of interviews with caregivers reflecting on the work they do for their clients, and why it is so meaningful to them. The interviews will be heard and seen on radio and television in Connecticut during January and February.

The mission of Companions & Homemakers, to preserve dignity through independence at home, has been heartily embraced by families across the state since its founding three decades ago. Now Connecticut’s largest and most trusted provider of non-medical home care, Companions & Homemakers has earned that reputation by providing quality in-home care, in every community in the state, to thousands of older residents.

“They teach you just as much as you teach them,” said caregiver Linda Tosado in one of the featured interviews. “Having that company that you can trust and you can rely on, I think is very important. That’s dependability right there. Just being able to take care of somebody who can’t do something for themselves, I think that just means the world – to me and to them.” Adds caregiver Kim Blankenburg: “I love the people that I get to spend time with. And when you can meet somebody, and you know them for a couple of weeks or a month and they hug you…that’s what you’re supposed to do, and that’s what they deserve.”

According to the Home Care Association of America, 90 percent of people age 65 and over would prefer to stay in their own homes as they get older — and not go to a nursing home or assisted living facility.

“The caliber of care we provide is the most important measure of what we do, helping people to stay in their homes, where they are most comfortable,” said COO Bill Geiger. “Our caregivers are quite inspiring, providing valuable companionship and tangible assistance and support, and often developing a person-to-person connection that is very meaningful.”

The spark that launched the campaign was a message shared with all caregivers. The “Companions & Homemakers Promise” reads, in part: “Using integrity in all we do, we promise to treat every client, caregiver and co-worker with respect and empathy. We will be accountable for our actions and words and tenacious in our efforts.” It concludes, “What makes our company GREAT? Our Values and Our Promise. InteGrity - Respect - Empathy - Accountability – Tenacity”

“It’s just knowing that any little thing I can do for them, lets them stay where they are,” said caregiver Emily Reid, who currently works with two clients. “They appreciate any cleaning, any meal prep, any laundry, errands… anything that makes them the most comfortable, is what makes me happy – because this is where they want to be.”

“To be with the elderly you have to have an open mind, and a heart of gold,” said caregiver Milsa Rodriguez. “Being home, they have something to live and look forward to.”

Through the years, Companions & Homemakers has actively supported the organizations whose activities directly benefit their clients and caregivers. Each year at the holidays, for example, the entire office staff gets to participate in choosing how a substantial financial donation is divided among a number of worthy organizations.

That process recently concluded for the 2019 holiday season, with donations totaling $50,000 going to American Cancer Society ($7,500), American Parkinson’s Disease Association ($2,250), Father Nadolny Good News Fund ($7,000), Gaylord Hospital ($4,500), Lucky Pup Rescue ($10,500), Meals on Wheels ($6,100), National Multiple Sclerosis Society ($1,650) and Wounded Warrior Project ($10,500).

Companions & Homemakers is a charter member of the Connecticut Chapter of the Home Care Association of America and an accredited member, with an A+ rating, of the Better Business Bureau. Companions & Homemakers’ 11 Connecticut offices are located in Avon, Berlin, Clinton, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Hamden, Litchfield, Middlebury, Norwich and Stratford.