Left to right: CEO Adam Lampert, Caregiver Jessica, Community Liaison Rachel O’Brien, COO Ernie Cote, Caregivers Mamie and John.
Cambridge Caregivers Hosts Roundtable in Fort Worth
On Feb. 14, Cambridge Caregivers hosted a Roundtable for staff and Caregivers at the company’s Fort Worth office. The lunch gathering provided a chance to share ideas, voice concerns and strengthen the culture of continuous improvement. This is just one way Cambridge Caregivers actively supports its Caregivers in delivering the concierge-level service clients expect.
Chief Executive Officer Adam Lampert and Chief Operating Officer Ernie Cote were on hand, along with caregivers Vanesta, John, Jessica, Vanessa and Mamie. Leading the meeting was Community Liaison Rachel O’Brien, who assigns and supports in-home Caregivers serving the Fort Worth area.
Rachel opened the meeting by welcoming both constructive criticism and praise.
“This is how we learn and grow. We’re going to become better together,” she said.
Adam reinforced the agency’s commitment to its caregivers.
“I want to prove to each of you that we’re a different kind of company,” he said. “We know you have options. You can work anywhere. But here, you can expect something different. Work should be something we’re proud of—something we look forward to each day.”
Caregivers: The Heart of the Company
Adam emphasized that caregivers are the face of Cambridge Caregivers.
“To our clients, you are Cambridge Caregivers. They don’t see me—they see you. Your care shapes their experience,” he said.
His words resonated with Caregiver John, who joined Cambridge Caregivers six months ago.
“I’m really enjoying the work because of the support the leadership team gives me,” he shared.
Caregiver Vanesta echoed this sentiment, reflecting on her personal connection to caregiving. “I love the collaborative approach here,” she said. “I like what you guys [the leadership team] stand for. It’s rare these days.”
Jessica, another caregiver, praised the company’s structured and supportive environment.
“Other companies just tell you, ‘Okay, go here,’” she said. “You may walk into a new client’s home and end up stumbling because nobody’s told you anything. That’s not the case with Cambridge Caregivers. For every client I’ve worked with, someone from the office has briefed me on the client’s needs and situation. I go in feeling confident.”
Jessica also shared how she builds trust with clients: “When I meet a new client, I introduce myself and say, ‘I’m just here to help you. I’m not here to rearrange your life or take over. This is your home. I’m here to help.’ That approach always seems to work smoothly.”
Empowering Caregivers to Succeed
As a concierge provider of in-home care, Cambridge Caregivers actively supports its caregiving team members from day one.
“When a Caregiver visits a new client for the first time, we send Rachel or another team member with them,” Adam said. “That way, Rachel can interact with the client while the caregiver takes in their needs. That’s our investment in you, the Caregiver.”
John shared an experience that underscored Cambridge Caregivers’ reputation: “About a month ago, as I was leaving a client’s home, a police officer stopped me because one of my headlights was out. When he asked where I was coming from, I told him I was with Cambridge Caregivers. The officer said, ‘Oh, you mean Mr. Adam’s company?’ He let me go without even checking my license! I’m glad I work for a company that’s so well-respected.”
Vanessa acknowledged the impact of the company’s collaborative approach. “I appreciate having this close-knit working relationship with the people in the office,” she said. Turning to Adam Lampert, she added, “I’ve never met a CEO before! I appreciate having the chance to meet you in person.”
Clients have noticed Vanessa’s dedication, Rachel added.
“Every client I’ve matched Vanessa with loves her,” she said. “In fact, every caregiver in this room has received high praise from clients.”
Bringing Stability and Comfort to Clients
Another key topic of the Roundtable was the importance of consistency in client care. Rachel pointed out that other home care companies frequently rotate caregivers for logistical convenience, sending one caregiver one day, another the next, and yet another the next day.
“But the most important question for the client’s family is, ‘Are we going to get the same caregiver from one day to the next?’ That’s what truly matters to them. They don’t want a revolving door,” she said.
To help boost retention and provide that consistency of care, Cambridge Caregivers offers benefits like paid time off (PTO), bonuses, and gas stipends.
At the Roundtable, Caregiver Mamie asked if she could carry over her PTO days from 2024 into 2025.
“The short answer is yes,” Adam said. “Most in-home caregiving companies don’t offer PTO. We do, and we allow employees to accumulate it over time. We designed our PTO policy to accommodate extended trips. Many of our caregivers travel internationally to visit family, and we want to support that. If someone is visiting family in the Congo, Ghana, or the Virgin Islands, they’re likely staying for several weeks. The ability to accumulate PTO makes that possible.”
Cambridge Caregivers also offers financial incentives to encourage retention.
“Turnover in caregiving is high—about 80% a year,” Ernie noted. “We offer benefits because we want caregivers to stay year after year and recommend our company to their friends and family.”
For employees who work full-time, Cambridge Caregivers provides an annual bonus to encourage retention.
“When we paid the last round of bonuses in December, 92% went to employees who had also received a bonus in July. That’s unheard of in this industry,” Ernie said.
Additionally, the company provides a gas stipend. Adam shared the experience that inspired the initiative a few years ago:
“One night, I saw a mom at a gas station struggling to fill her truck because prices had skyrocketed. It hit me—it’s tough to make ends meet. The next day, we implemented a new policy. Now every full-time caregiver gets a $30 gas stipend every two weeks.”
A Commitment to Concierge-Level Care
By fostering a supportive environment for caregivers, Cambridge Caregivers offers the kind of high-touch, concierge-level service that clients expect. The Roundtable underscored the company’s dedication to both its staff and the families they serve.
“This company is different,” Vanessa affirmed. “I appreciate working for a company that trusts us with clients. And I appreciate the families that welcome us into their homes.”
At Cambridge Caregivers, exceptional care starts with exceptional people. By investing in caregivers, we ensure every client receives the warmth, trust, and consistency they deserve.