Home Caregiver Recognitions
Our Case Managers meet to choose a Caregiver for Angel of the Month. A Case Manager will generally nominate someone with an explanation as to why this person is chosen. The Caregiver is notified that they have been selected and comes into the office for a full celebration. This person is honored with treats, a certificate, gift card and the Case Manager that selected them will read a full write-up about why they were chosen. The Caregiver is interviewed and then featured in the monthly newsletter as well as on Facebook. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton has the most amazing team of people to care for our Clients. Our Caregivers work tirelessly with their Case Managers to ensure top-quality care.
Angel of the Month
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Fatmata Kemokai
October 2024
Congratulations, Fatmata Kemokai, on being named our Angel of the Month for October 2024. It may be the month for trick or treating, but when Fatmata’s clients see her at the door, they welcome her into their homes with open arms. Her smile and jovial nature make her visits all treats! Since joining the team in June of 2023, Fatmata has warmed the hearts of five different clients and their families with her caring, compassionate nature. While it can be tough at times, it all starts with being a reliable companion, Fatmata says.“Everyone needs someone to talk to. Most of my clients, when I first meet them, they’re too
lonely,” Fatmata explained. “You have to give them attention like they’re your own mother or father. They need that love and compassion.”
Fatmata earned her CNA license in 2009 and quickly got to work honing her skills as a care professional, working at Vinfen while taking classes at Roxbury Community College. When she graduated in 2013, Fatmata had almost five years of hands-on experience. She went on to work at a local hospital and multiple homecare agencies, accumulating over 15 years of experience by the time she was recommended for hire by a respected care professional on our team.
Office and Staffing Coordinator, Ryan Allen, remembered when he first interviewed Fatmata. “I was pretty new in my role at the time, so I wasn’t entirely comfortable telling jokes and trying to find ways to lighten the mood just yet,” he explained. “I remember Fatmata’s laugh was so joyful, though. I could tell she really loved what she did.” And given her accomplishments with Visiting Angels clients over the past year and a half, it’s clear that she wouldn’t want to be doing anything else!
“It’s just me,” Fatmata said very matter of factly. “I like to be with people, and I don’t like seeing people suffer, especially older people.”
Senior Case Manager, Elizabeth Quagraine, has had the pleasure of sending Fatmata to several of her clients over the past year and half and has always been happy to hear from them after she leaves. “They’re always disappointed that she has to go!” Elizabeth said. “If they could, they’d
keep her there around the clock because not only is she a great care professional, she’s great company as well. She loves having conversations with her clients, and they appreciate that very much.”
Fatmata prides herself on understanding clients and taking time to get to know them. She stressed how important it is for care professionals to take an interest in human behavior, so they can understand the needs of their clients. As an example, Fatmata shared a story about one client who did not like it when she would use her phone to clock-in for her shift.
“The client would say, ‘I don’t want you to use your phone in here,’ even after I explained to her that was how I had to clock in,” Fatmata recalled. “But from that moment on, I understood her and kept my phone hidden while I was with her. I would make sure to clock in for the shift while I was outside her door, right before I even entered the house.”
Case Manager Michael Albrecht recalled one client who had a hard time remembering Fatmata’s name so she’d call her Martha instead. “Those two formed such a wonderful connection because Fatmata never took it seriously and would always play along,” he said. “She always has a positive mindset and is willing to go the extra mile for her clients just to make them happy.”
Fatmata has graciously filled in for other care professionals during times of need for Case Manager Patrick Murray. He echoed Michael’s sentiments and has been nothing less than impressed with her work. “Her understanding of clients is so impressive. I know that whenever she’s with a client, they’ll be receiving the best care possible,” Patrick said.
Fatmata humbly chalks her success up to having met so many friendly clients in her short time here, but she knows that may not always be the case. “Some of them aren’t in the best place when you meet them,” she explained. “In my experience, before you can work with a client, you have to understand them and know what they like first. Even those with dementia, if you keep on talking to them and asking questions, you can learn a lot about what they do and don’t like.”
Director of Client Services Julie McBain has heard firsthand from many of our clients how happy they are when Fatmata comes by for a visit. Like most on her case management team, she noted what a pleasure Fatmata is to work with and how seamlessly she connects with clients and their families. “She’s skilled, reliable, and always communicates with the case managers about any obstacles a client may encounter or any changes in the client’s condition. This type of feedback really helps us when it comes to reevaluating the care plan or scheduling our next visit with the client.”
As a care professional Fatmata, too, appreciates the openness and communication she has with the case managers. “You guys in the office are so good. You know how to communicate with us, and in an emergency you’re always responsive and helpful. In the end, it helps me to do my job, too,” Fatmata said.
We deeply appreciate everything you do for our clients, Fatmata. With kindness, empathy, and compassion, you embody everything it means to be a Visiting Angel. Your hard work and dedication give us, as well as our clients and their families, peace of mind, which is why we’re thrilled to name you our Angel of the Month. Thank you for being all treats and no tricks!
Fatmata Kemokai - AOM October-2024.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Ndaka Chigariro
August 2024
Ndaka Chigariro-AOM August 2024.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | G.Quaye
July 2024
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Nerlande R.
June 2024
Nerlande R. - AOM June 2024.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Rosemary Atieno
May 2024
Rosemary Atieno - AOM May 2024.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Sallay Mboyawa
April 2024
Sallay Mboyawa - AOM April 2024.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Marie Ketsia Daille
March 2024
Marie Ketsia Daille - AOM March 2024.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Maliza
February 2024
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Ruth Ellis
January 2024
Ruth Ellis AOM January 2024.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Andell Sylvester
October 2023
Andell Sylvester AOM November 2023.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Dawna Nogueira
September 2023
Dawna-Nogueira-AOM-September-2023.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Kettly Aurelus
August 2023
Kettly-Aurelus-AOM-August-2023.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Eileen Duggan
July 2023
Eileen-Duggan-AOM-July-2023.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Pat Durrant-Campbell
June 2023
Pat-Durrant-Campbell-AOM-June-2023.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Sheila Small
May 2023
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Sandy Souza
April 2023
Sandy-Souza-AOM-April-2023.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Glorieuse Antoine
March 2023
Glorieuse-Antoine-AOM-March-2023
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Leonie Benson
February 2023
Leonie-Benson-AOM-February-2023.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Raxanne Wright
January 2023
Raxanne-Wright-AOM-January-2023.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Karen Breen
December 2022
Karen-Breen-AOM-December-2022.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Nadya Harriet
November 2022
Nadya-Harriet-AOM-November-2022.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Betie Mondestin
October 2022
Betie-Mondestin-AOM-October-2022.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Marie Bellefleur-Raymond
September 2022
MarieBellefleur-Raymond_AOM_September2022
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Paul Geneus
July 2022
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Nosa Ogbebor
June 2022
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Kettlie Juste
May 2022
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Williams Ejimonyeabala
April 2022
newton-WilliamsEjimonyeabala_AOM_APRIL2022.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Rody Fils-Aime
March 2022
newton-RodyFils-Aime_AOM_MARCH2022.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Mirla Joseph
January 2022
newton-MirlaJoseph_AOM_JANUARY2022.pdf
ANGEL OF THE MONTH 2021 Awardees
ANGEL OF THE MONTH 2020 Awardees
ANGEL OF THE MONTH 2019 Awardees
ANGEL OF THE MONTH 2018 Awardees
Special Recognitions
Timeless Gratitude to Alice Kimani
No, this is not a new award we’re giving, but a special commendation to Alice Kimani, who gave live-in care to one of our clients. One night in November 2016, she was awakened by the smell of smoke. There was a fire in the garage, which quickly spread to the rest of the house - but not before Alice successfully evacuated the senior whom she was caring for, as well as the adult son. The house was burned to the ground, fed by a full tank of heating oil. Two cars in the driveway, one of them Alice’s, were melted. But thanks to Alice’s heroism, nobody was injured, except for the senior’s pet cat, which unfortunately perished. Alice, we think that you are wonderful!
Tama Lewis – Massachusetts Home Care Alliance 2009 Aide of the Year
The HCA has 150 member agencies employing over 19,000 home health aides, and one of our very own was chosen as the 2009 Home Care Star Award Aide of the Year. Tama embodies the essence of what every family wants in a home care aide: skill, good judgment, compassion, integrity, kindness, reliability, good humor, caring, wisdom, dedication, warmth and respect in dealing with seniors. She has been with Visiting Angels for five years, but like all our caregivers, she came to us with years of experience in giving care to seniors.
For four years she was the lead caregiver to a man named Joe, who had no family or friends to help in his declining years. Although he had Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, with Tama's care he was able to remain at home, where he wanted to be. When she came on the case, his health was declining rapidly despite ongoing medical attention. Soon Joe's deteriorating health began to improve as Tama made sure that he got a healthy diet and took his medications. His home got cleaner, and his appearance improved. Eventually Tama was joined by other caregivers, but she remained the lead person of the team that organized his life, did the shopping, got him to medical appointments, cleaned his house, prepared meals and kept him clean. With help from Tama and the rest of our team, Joe attended his Masons meetings, continued his treasured Saturday evening buffet at the Marriott, and visited places where he had spent his youth. When he developed pancreatic cancer, he died at home with Tama by his side. She was the closest thing to family that he had.
At Visiting Angels of Newton & Canton, we are proud of our reputation with our many referral sources and clients who note the excellence of our services and the quality of the people that we employ. That reputation rests on providing home care with men and women like Tama Lewis since 2004. As deserving as she is of the award, Visiting Angels has many other caregivers who are just as dedicated, give just as much of themselves, and who deserve their own awards. We salute Tama and all of the fine caregivers who work for us and allow seniors the joy of remaining at home where they want to be.
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton is an award-winning accredited home care agency that provides elder care services in Brookline, Newton, Needham, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Natick, Wellesley, Stoughton, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby areas. If you aspire to be the best caregiver you can be, contact us at 617-795-2727 or fill out the form on our home care careers page.
If you are looking for the best home care services in the Newton/Canton area, contact us at 617-795-2727 or click the button below to tell us about your case. We're ready to help you!
Serving Brookline, Canton, Dedham, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Stoughton, Watertown, Wellesley and Westwood
Visiting Angels NEWTON/CANTON, MA
29 Crafts St #320Newton, MA 02458
Phone: 617-795-2727
Fax: 617-244-0260