Heroes of the Pandemic
Help us shine a spotlight on the Heroes of the Pandemic here in our community.
Each day, these amazing caregivers help protect the members of our community that are most at risk, and provide essential services to keep seniors safe and taken care of in their homes. Every week, we will be featuring another Hero of the Pandemic right here and on our Facebook page. Please feel free to leave these amazing caregivers a note of encouragement on our Facebook page!
Award Winning Homecare
Leader in Excellence, Employer of Choice
and Provider of Choice Award Winner
Jen O’Claire
Brave, Thoughtful, and Conscientious
Jen O’Claire is something else. When it came time to put together a volunteer active COVID 19 team, she was one of only a few to volunteer. Jen said that she felt like when she took an oath to be an LNA, that meant she would put herself in harms way to help others. She said, “You know, like if you volunteer in the military, to put your life on the line. That’s how I feel.”
Jen said that she was never afraid for her own health. She was confident in her ability to keep herself safe and has always been blessed with a healthy constitution. She laughed and said that “Strangely, now I felt normal. I have always been a germaphobe. Now everyone was just like me, constantly cleaning, wiping things down, hand washing.” She does admit that when the hot weather comes, mask wearing is a challenge, but she does it to protect our vulnerable clients.
Jen said that the toughest challenge was mask wearing with her dementia clients. She said sometimes, she felt like they were almost offended that she was wearing a mask. When they asked her why, she would simply tell them that she did not want to make them sick.
Jen was remembering when, during the shutdown, being one of the few essential workers out and about on the roads was eerie. “It felt like the apocalypse. Nobody was driving. I felt like me and my client was the only person in the world.” And then she remembered the news story of the nurse who was physically assaulted for publicly wearing scrubs. There was so much fear out in the community and Jen said that sometimes she was fearful to be seen out and about in her scrubs.
Jen is the proud mother to a beautiful 18-year-old daughter who is attending Bible College in Massachusetts. Jen said, “I really have to thank her for putting up with me. I am normally a germaphobe and I stepped it up a little during COVID.’, she said laughing. “She put up with me.”
When Jen is not either teaching young children or caring for our elderly community members, you can find her spending time with her daughter walking or hiking. Jenifer loves yoga.
Jenifer O’Claire, for your fearless dedication to your clients and community, we thank you and salute you!
Kelly Dobe
Tireless, Devoted, and Kind
Kelly has been a devoted Right at Home Caregiver since 2018. Like all of us, the pandemic threw Kelly some curveballs and she juggled them with grace and a smile.
Kelly is the proud wife and mother to a family of four children aged from 2-17. Balancing remote learning, hybrid learning, opposing school schedules while continuing to serve her community has required lots of energy and a positive attitude and that’s where Kelly shines!
Kelly was not afraid to work during the pandemic. She stated that her training and experience with donning and removing PPE in the hospital setting gave her the confidence to stay safe for herself, her clients, and her family. Kelly stated that her clients were thankful when we started wearing masks during care and felt comforted by that. She commented that some of her clients are surprised that we are still wearing masks and she simply educates them on the rationale for continued mask wearing and social distancing.
Kelly keeps her body and mind healthy with kickboxing 3-4 times a week. She likes to get outside with the kids whenever she can. When the weather keeps her inside, she is an avid crafter. She’s handy with the cricut and makes cakes and jewelry too.
Kelly, for your kindness, devotion, and endless smile during one of the most difficult times in our history to be Caregiver, we thank you and salute you!
Loubna Mhouar
This week’s Hero spotlight shines brightly on Loubna Mhouar. Loubna has been a Caregiver at Right at Home since 2016. Loubna has smiled her way through every day of this pandemic. Her cheerful and positive attitude is contagious and has been an inspiration to us at Right at Home. Loubna has been happily married for over 20 years and is the proud mother of 4, 2 boys and twin girls. Like many of us, Loubna has been juggling work with remote learning for her children.
Each day of the Pandemic brings a challenge for Loubna. She must set up four children with remote learning, go see her client and give amazing care, check in frequently to be sure the kids have not drifted from the zoom class over to YouTube, or gaming (which they often do 😊). Then Loubna comes home to more zoom schooling, homework and then makes dinner, does laundry and all those things that a Mother of 4 does that often go unnoticed.
Loubna has a special relationship with her client. So special, in fact, that her client named the family dog after Loubna! Each of us in the office has happily listened to our client talk about what an amazing Caregiver Loubna is!
Loubna never considered staying home during the pandemic. She said, “I would never be afraid. I was only afraid for my client and for the visitors to his home, but I was never scared for myself.” Loubna talked about how recently, she felt ill with a cold and had to stay home even though she was fairly sure it was nothing. She said, “It is important to keep my client healthy, that I go get tested. And I did. It was negative, thankful. But I told him, I could not go there until I get a test.” And I always wear a mask!!
Loubna, for your beautiful smile through adversity, for your generous spirit and for your courage in the face of Covid-19, we see you and we salute you. Thank you for everything you do Loubna Mhouar!
Joan Casaletto
Compassionate, Empathic, Generous
This week’s caregiver Hero spotlight is shining on Joan Casaletto. Joan is an LNA and has been with Right at Home since February 2019. Joan is the proud mother of two grown children. Her son, Dominick, is busy starting his career and her daughter, Sopia, is a college student at Keene state thriving in the online world of college during Covid-19! She has proudly been married to Nick for 19 years!
While Joan is not being a mom or super Caregiver, you can find her around town riding her bike, hiking some local trails, or tending her ever changing flower beds. After a long day, her outside fire pit is a popular refuge.
Joan worked throughout the entire pandemic. She helped several of our clients through these difficult months and kept a smile on her face throughout. If we were to describe Joan in three words, compassionate, empathic, and generous come to mind.
At the start of the pandemic, when we were all learning together how the virus spreads and methods to contain it, Joan was nervous but mostly for her clients and her elderly family members that might be around her. She felt like from a health perspective, she was strong and could conquer the virus, but what kept her up at night was wondering whether her role as a Caregiver would put her loved ones at risk.
Joan kept working by using all the tools the CDC and State of NH DPH has suggested. She has been masking, washing hands, and cleaning surfaces. She stated that once she got a handle on how the virus spread and ways to mitigate risk, she felt more confident that she could keep herself and the people around her as safe as possible.
Joan is also certified as a nutrition consultant and used that knowledge to incorporate healthy choices in her clients’ meals. Joan is helping her clients keep up a strong immune system through diet and nutrition. Way to go Joan!
Stephanie James
This week we are honored to spotlight our Caregiver hero of the week, Stephanie James. Stephanie and her partner of 15 years are the proud parents of two boys, 13 and 8. She has been a valued part of our Right at Home team since September of 2015. Stephanie holds an Associate Degree in Healthcare Administration and is currently enrolled at UNH for billing and coding
When she has time to herself, Stephanie is an artist, and her specialty is acrylic abstracts. She is also a play station 4 and desktop gamer.
When the pandemic crossed the borders into America, both of her clients were scared but one was particularly effected and suffered from extreme anxiety which was heightened during that time. To calm her worries, Stephanie went above and beyond. One particular worry for her client was about the packages Stephanie brought home from grocery shopping. To ease her client’s mind, Stephanie took many extra steps and explained them all in detail to her client before she left and when she returned with the packages. This was Stephanie’s routine.
First, she washed her hands on leaving the client’s home. Then she showed the client her hand sanitizer that she would be using throughout the trip. She used hand sanitizer when she got to the shop. She went to the shop bathroom and washed her hands with soap and water halfway through the shopping. After the shopping, in her car, she used hand sanitizer. When Stephanie arrived with the packages, she washed her hands and wiped everything down before putting it away and then, washed her hands, all while wearing a mask of course. She would explain it all to her client, every step, as many times as needed. Stephanie said that repeating the steps she was taking to be safe helped to ease her client’s anxiety.
One of Stephanie’s favorite memories was when her and a client were watching the news. Her client blurted out some expletives at the political figure that was being featured in the story and it caught them both by surprise. She said they just laughed and laughed about it.
Stephanie shares her love of heavy metal music and tattoos with one of our elderly clients. Stephanie was telling her client about her plans to go to a concert. The client asked who she was going to see, and Stephanie said, “Oh, I don’t think you would know them. They are heavy metal.” The client said, “Try me, I love heavy metal.” Sure enough, the two generations discovered they both loved the same bands.
Stephanie did not miss a shift during the pandemic. She said that she was not afraid to go to work. Her children had to go to school remotely, but she is very thankful to live with her mother. Her mom helped the kids log on and attend school the entire time. She would not have been able to work without her mother’s help! In this case, I think we need to shout out Stephanie AND her mother for helping keep our community safe and learning through this crazy time. Stephanie, we see you and salute you for your bravery during this unprecedented time! Thank you, Stephanie James!
Lisa Weisberg
Conscientious, Flexible, Thorough, Reliable
Lisa Weisberg is in the spotlight this week because without Caregivers like Lisa, where would the seniors of our community be?
Lisa did not miss a day of work at any time throughout the pandemic. In fact, she picked up many extra. I asked her why. She said, very plainly, “I felt obligated.” I get a lump in my throat as I write it. She is right too. Our community needed us more than ever. Like many of the heroes in the global community, Lisa suited up, and took care of people in need. In normal times, that is very special. In the setting of a global pandemic, so inspiring.
In addition to being an incredible Caregiver, Lisa is a devoted wife of over 30 years. She is the proud Auntie of Rosie, her sister’s Havernese, pictured. She enjoys a quiet life with her family and friends. She is a shrewd Scrabble player and laughed heartily as she recalled her 72-point word in last weeks’ scrabble game. After working for 25 years in an optometry clinic, Lisa “retired” to work as a caregiver. She wanted to use her time in a meaningful way.
One of Lisa’s most beautiful attributes is her humility. You will not hear Lisa talking much about herself. She is the embodiment of selfless. She is always there to help a client whose caregiver was out sick or to pick up an extra shift if it means she can help someone in need. Who would be there if Caregivers like Lisa and so many others like her did not show up? If you are reading this, would you join me in thanking Lisa for putting her fear aside to give her all every day? Lisa, we see you and thank you!
Lynne Meehan
Constant, Compassionate, Generous
Lynne Meehan is in our hero spotlight for this week. Lynne is a wife and the proud mother of two grown boys and grandmother to three. Lynne has worked her regular clients with Right at Home through the entirety of the pandemic. While we may say, ‘Hats off Lynne”, hold off. She also works part time for two other Home Cares in MA. And she has continued to care for those clients throughout the pandemic as well.
On her off time, you will find Lynne outside. She enjoys hiking with her grandkids. She says that every year, they walk the flume and lost river gorge. They also love to do Stratham Hill Park and Odiorne. Easter week she colored 60 eggs with the grand kids. She has got to do something to keep them busy while they wait for the tadpoles to come out. They catch them together every year!
Lynne shared that she was scared about contracting Covid 19 both for herself and because she cares for at risk family members. “If anything ever happened to them because I brought Covid 19 home, I don’t think I could live with myself.” So why did she continue to serve her community? Well, you have to know Lynne.
Lynne’s work philosophy is that if she cannot give 100% to her clients, she should not be working. And she does give 100% every time. Lynne has done everything with her clients from shopping, to walks, to gardening, composting, and even sledding! And to hear the way that Lynne talks about her clients, if you did not know; you would think she was talking about her own family. Lynne Meehan, we see you and your community salutes you. Thank you for all you do!
Matt Mutrie
Encouraging, Gentle, Meticulous
It is my honor to introduce another RAH Hero of the Pandemic, Matt Mutrie. Matt is the proud father of two beautiful daughters, 11 and 15 years old. Interesting fact about Matt Mutrie…Matt studied theatre in Boston, MA and has performed on and off Broadway!! He is also a talented playwright with a future reading of his own play in Wolfboro, NH.
Matt has a strong Christian faith and worked with Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity in India. Matt has survived Dengue Fever from Thailand, parasites from India and was in NYC during the attacks on 911. He has been working with Right at Home since 2012!
It only seems just that while navigating a global pandemic, other life crisis such as family, non-corona virus health problems, financial etc. should take a pause and then once the pandemic loosens its grip, we can face these other “normal” life problems. But that is not what happens, right? And Matt Mutrie’s experience has been no different! While stepping through each day of non-stop Corona virus, life has handed Matt and his family many challenges which makes his contribution to fighting the virus and caring for our community that much more inspiring!
Very early in the stay-at-home order, Matt’s client was faced with Covid-19. I made that familiar call to Matt letting him know and then of course had to ask, “Do you feel comfortable caring for this client?” Matt, being a caregiver for his elderly mother had many questions and then needed some time to think it over, but not much. After a couple hours, he called, and I found myself on I93 in the dark and driving rain to meet him at our client’s home for full PPE training. It would not be the only time Matt found himself wrapped from head to toe in PPE either. Matt has been there for his client after another close brush with Covid-19, no questions asked.
Matt, even in the face of his own difficulties, when it came to caring for his client, put a smile on his face and went to work, even in the trial of an unprecedented pandemic. For this reason and for everything you do, we see you and salute you! Thank you Matt.
Sherrie Raymond
Comforting, Hardworking, Attentive
Sherrie Raymond is in our Heroes of the Pandemic Spotlight this week. Congratulations Sherrie!
Sherrie is the youngest of three siblings, with two older brothers.
Her father was a Nashua Firefighter and her mother worked from home as a seamstress when the kids were young. When they got older, she worked outside of the home as a secretary.
Sherrie has a beautiful grown daughter and has many hobbies to keep her busy when she is not Caregiving. Sherrie loves being outside and is an avid birdwatcher. She is also a talented woodworker and builds her own birdhouses!
In the winter, you might find her on the lake ice fishing. In the warmer months, Sherrie can be found out in the garden growing everything from flowers and herbs to vegetables.
Sherrie loves to cook and bake and recalled teaching her daughter to bake. Sherrie took 2nd place in the apple pie contest and has been known to whip up some pies for her clients too!
Sherrie shared some memories of trips to Florida with clients, and other fun things to help her clients such as kayaking. For all those reasons, Sherrie is a great Caregiver.
Why is Sherrie featured this week? We have been so deeply touched by the heroism our Caregivers show with every day. Sherrie, like most of us, had anxiety surrounding the Corona virus with worries about getting sick, how to keep her clients and her own family safe. At first, Sherrie was hesitant to take a client assignment where full PPE was involved and rightly so. At Right at Home, whenever full PPE is involved in a client assignment, the caregivers are asked if they feel comfortable caring for that client. If the answer is yes, great. If the answer is no, there is never judgement or negative consequences. We understand that each person must make a decision that is best for them.
At first Sherrie, declined the full ppe case. But before long, she saw that her clients needed her, and she learned how to don and remove full ppe and how to keep herself and clients as safe as possible. I met Sherrie at a client’s home, and we went through the full ppe process. Sherrie asked me many, many questions. Great questions. She made sure that she fully understood the entire process before she began her shift, and I was so impressed by that. That day had involved multiple calls with the department of public health, and family members of clients and clients. Whenever Covid 19 is involved, anxiety is high, there are many questions, and I was on the phone and with clients most of the day. I never got a chance to tell Sherrie how much I appreciated her care and attention to detail but I will say now that I saw Sherrie in a different way that day and she earned my respect.
And Sherrie never looked back. Sherrie has been there steady for our community, caring for clients during a risky and unknown time. For that and everything else you do Sherrie, we see you and we salute you!
Gail Davis
Courage, Humble, Steadfast.
These words come to me when I think of Caregiver, Gail Davis. Gail is one of the thousands of hero Caregivers from all over the world. We would like to take some time to honor her contribution to our own small corner of the world doing their best to survive this pandemic.
Gail Davis has been a Caregiver her entire life. She would describe herself as her Father’s child. She recently shared with me how much he shaped her life. He lived his life with honor and integrity, and she learned from him and has lived her life guided by his example. Gail is a devoted Mother, Daughter, and Grandmother. She has four beautiful grandsons that range from age 3-10. And we cannot talk about Gail without mentioning her beloved dogs. One of which, Bailey passed away, but she still has her other devoted Labrador Retriever, Leah.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we had a client that became Covid-19 positive. We got the news while Gail was at the client’s home. I called Gail to tell her. “Gail, your client is Covid-19 positive. Do you still feel comfortable Caregiving to this client?” I fully expected her to be fearful and ask to be relieved of the case and that I would surely be on the way to the home to relieve her. Every time I think of this conversation, I get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Gail’s response, without hesitation, “Of course.” And she has remained a steadfast and devoted Caregiver ever since.
I got a chance to talk with Gail so that I could include some personal details in this article and there was something special that happened during the conversation. While Gail patiently answered my journalistic questions, instead of talking about herself, she spent much of our time describing her respect and admiration for her fellow Caregivers. She talked about how special they were to her, how they support each other and help each other. She mentioned so many names Nancy, Megan, Skylar, Debbie, Angela, and Brenda. I remembered, through all my years as a Caregiver, the value of teamwork and how we help each other navigate the emotional world of Caregiving. We are all so proud of the Right at Home team, the strongest team in Homecare.
Gail and Caregivers like her are the bedrock of our community. Gail understands that our Community requires care through Covid-19, through hail, snow, sleet and rain, Gail is there for her clients. You are the embodiment of Caregiver. For this Gail, we salute you and thank you.