Ghanaian Caregiver Earns $5K From Employer

Live-in caregiver Charlotte Kyere of West Hartford, Connecticut, has been named the Platinum Caregiver of the Year for 2023 by Assisted Living Home Care Services (ALS). The ALS team presented Kyere with the $5,000 award at Hoffman Summerwood, an assisted living facility in West Hartford, on March 7. Kyere was chosen from the company’s 55 monthly winners for providing outstanding care for her client—and living at Hoffman Summerwood.

“We are thrilled to recognize Charlotte’s stellar support and unwavering dedication to her client,” said Mario D’Aquila, chief operating officer of the family-owned homecare agency, which has offices in the Connecticut towns of Cheshire, Westport and Putnam. “Charlotte exemplifies the spirit of the award for home caregivers who become devoted, extended members of the family.”

D’Aquila said the ALS live-in department selected Kyere as the recipient of the monthly Platinum Caregiver Award in May 2023, and the company chose her as the annual winner. Kyere, who is originally from Ghana, has provided live-in care to Mina Rosenberg since Oct. 13, 2021.

• “Mina thrives when Charlotte is around and Charlotte advocates for Mina as a family member would. If I needed someone to take care of my family member, Charlotte would be it,” said Tracey Messina, executive director.
• Sally Rosenberg, Mina’s daughter, said, “Charlotte has truly been a godsend to us. She has immensely improved and extended the life of my cherished mother.”
• Rabbi R. Aaron Jaffee recalls while Charlotte was away on vacation, Mina’s health declined, and they were preparing for the worst. Once Charlotte returned “Mina perked up and her soul sparkled again. It was very apparent that Mina’s return to us was due to the care, love and dedication Charlotte has for her.”

Each month, five caregivers earn a $1,000 monetary bonus accompanied by a crystal statue and certificate of merit in response to an employee and client survey administered by Homecare Pulse, a third-party company that measures customer satisfaction. Caregivers can also be recognized by their clients through 5-star Google reviews, written letters, or reviews via emails and phone calls. Additionally, ALS office staff can nominate caregivers for excellent work performance such as covering shifts and perfect attendance.

“We are so proud to have Charlotte as part of the Assisted Living Services family and look forward to many more years of service to our seniors,” said D’Aquila. “Caregiving is not only a profession, but also a personal commitment to lovingly care for someone as their own family would day in and day out.”