Meet Our Caregivers
Experience the difference with our exceptional team at Cambridge Caregivers.
Anthony
Caregiver
Before coming to the U.S. from Zambia, I worked in hotels and restaurants. I’m a hospitality guy. I like to serve people. When I came to the U.S., I started working in senior care. I’m still serving people, just at a different level.
Working as manager of Manchester Living care home, you get to know each resident, because we only have eight residents at any one time. You connect with each one on an individual level. One resident loves to talk about philosophy with me. She watches the news every morning, and she reads a lot of history, which is an interest of mine, too. She’s reading about Winston Churchill now. Just yesterday she shared a quote with me: “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” I like that! She’s very knowledgeable, she reads a lot, and she’s always got a smile on her face. She’s just a lot of fun to be around.
I have worked for other rehabs, nursing homes and assisted living communities. Manchester Living stands out because they really value what I do. They care for us, the caregiving staff, and encourage us to work as a team. I have learned a lot from Adam Lampert, the CEO, about how to build a team and work together to find solutions to problems when they crop up. The company takes good care of us, so we can take good care of our residents. I’m proud to be part of Manchester Living.
Arianna
Caregiver
Thank you to Arianna, who was another one of our amazing Caregivers to catch a change in a client’s condition, which helped the client avoid hospitalization.
Barretta
Caregiver
I love working at Cambridge Caregivers because they are so supportive. They give me shifts that work around my school schedule. And if you have a difficult situation, they will help you. Before my brother in Michigan passed away, Cambridge Caregivers paid for a plane ticket. They took care of me so that I could be there for my brother.
Like many of our best caregivers, Barretta G. discovered her calling while caring for a family member.
“When my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer, I helped my mom take care of him,” she said. “He appreciated my help and said that I ought to consider doing this professionally. Then, after he passed away, I ended up having to take care of my mom. Those experiences convinced me that this was something I wanted to do as a career.”
She grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., the youngest of six kids – with five “overprotective” older brothers – then relocated to Texas to attend nursing school.
“All the schools in Grand Rapids had long waiting lists,” she said. “I saw that I could get into a nursing program here in Texas fairly quickly.”
Barretta joined Cambridge in May 2018 while continuing to pursue an associate’s degree at Galen College of Nursing in Richardson. When she graduates, she’ll become a registered nurse (RN.)
Barretta says a good caregiver needs three traits: patience, attentiveness and a nurturing attitude. At times, a thick skin can be helpful, too.
“Some of my clients are living with dementia,” she said. “Occasionally they can be aggressive. I don’t take it personally. I know that it’s their disease talking. But when family members tell me, ‘You’re doing a great job with my mom,’ or “You’re so good with my wife.,’ that means a lot. The family appreciates that I’m there and providing good care.”
Cambridge Caregivers has been a great place to work, Barretta adds. She particularly appreciates the helpfulness of Cambridge leadership.
“They’re flexible,” she said. “They’ve always given me shifts that work around my school schedule. And if you have a difficult situation, they are willing to help you.”
A few years ago, one of Barretta’s brothers in Michigan became very ill. Cambridge leadership stepped in to help Barretta with a plane ticket so that she could travel to Michigan to see her brother before he passed away.
“They made sure that I had a roundtrip ticket, so I wasn’t so stressed,” she said. “They took care of me to be able to be there for my brother.”
BJ
Caregiver
Before joining Cambridge Caregivers, BJ worked in a senior living facility—but he’s found his calling in the personal, one-on-one care he provides to clients in their homes.
Before joining Cambridge Caregivers, BJ worked in a senior living facility—but he’s found his calling in the personal, one-on-one care he provides to clients in their homes.
“My clients have become like family,” he said. “They appreciate what I do, and they know I’m dedicated. That means a lot to me.”
BJ has been part of the Cambridge Caregivers team for nearly three years. He says the most important quality in a caregiver is patience.
“There are going to be good days and bad days. I just stay calm and rely on my patience,” he explained. “That’s what helps me stay grounded and focused on my clients.”
What keeps BJ going, even on the hardest days, is passion.
“When you have passion for the job, you can do it well,” he said. “I cared for my grandparents back in Africa, so I understand what it means to care for someone who needs you. I always try to give the kind of care I’d want to receive—because I know that one day, when I’m elderly, someone will be caring for me.”
Cortez
Caregiver
Doris
Caregiver
When I joined Cambridge Caregivers in 2020, I had a CNA license, but I wanted to progress and become an RN. I went back to school, which meant juggling my job, my classes, and caring for my three kids. Cambridge supported me by accommodating my schedule. And as soon as I graduated in December 2023, they hired me as a registered nurse.
Doris C. had a CNA license when began working at Cambridge Caregivers almost five years ago, but she wanted to earn a registered nurse (RN) degree. That meant going back to school. Somehow, she managed to juggle her job as an in-home caregiver while taking classes and caring for her three children (now ages 8,6 and 3.)
“Cambridge Caregivers has been a good place to work,” she said. “I was able to choose my work schedule while I was going to school. They accommodated me. And as soon as I graduated in December 2023, Cambridge hired me as a registered nurse.”
Doris discovered her interest in caring for older adults back home in Nigeria.
“Prior to coming to the U.S., I took care of my maternal grandmother,” she said. “I became passionate about caring for the vulnerable. That is how I decided to work in the healthcare field and to study for my CNA.”
Being a good caregiver, Doris says, requires compassion and active coping skills.
“You have to love your job,” she said. “You must be empathetic, respectful and understanding. You want to treat your client or patient the way that way you’d like to be treated.”
Self-care is important, too.
“When I’m at home, I try to spend some time just relaxing,” she said. “It’s important to recharge. You need the inner resources to tackle the challenges that may come up.”
Before coming to Cambridge, Doris worked in a nursing home. She thinks Cambridge is unique in the way it treats its employees.
“The leaders of Cambridge Caregivers appreciate their workers,” she said. “They reward you. When you work hard, you see that on your paycheck. And you can build your career with the company. I’m a living witness.”
Elizabeth
Caregiver
Earlier this year, Elizabeth began having trouble seeing out of one eye, so she visited an optometrist for eyeglasses. However, the exam revealed that she had a cataract in one eye and glaucoma. She followed up with an ophthalmologist, who recommended surgery.
Cambridge Caregivers offers medical, vision and dental insurance to full-time employees. But Elizabeth’s surgery involved a steep out-of-pocket cost. She called Cambridge Caregivers’ HR person, Tammy Hooker, to ask about withdrawing cash from her 401K to help cover that cost.
“Tammy told me, ‘I don’t want you to mess with your 401K. We’ll give you a loan,’” Elizabeth recalls. The next day, Tammy called back to confirm that CEO Adam Lampert had approved a no interest loan to cover the cost.
Elizabeth proceeded with the surgery, and now her vision is good.
“I’ll be using eye drops the rest of my life, but my vision is better,” she said. “And I’m grateful to Cambridge Caregivers. I’ve never worked with a company that cares for the staff the way that Cambridge does.”
Elizabeth is back at work now.
“I love the work that I do,” she said. “I’m glad I can be there for my clients and give them the care they need, whatever that involves. I’m there to help any way that I can. If the client needs someone to talk to, or they need help with continence — whatever it is, it gives me joy.”
Fifi
Caregiver
I really love working for Cambridge. The company takes care of its employees, especially full-time people, who get health insurance and retirement savings. For me, I like the ability to keep a flexible schedule.
I’ve been working with seniors since 2013 and with Cambridge Caregivers since 2018. I think I’ve always had the personality for this profession. I just enjoy helping people. My client’s family has always treated me nicely. They seem to really appreciate what I do.
I grew up in Ethiopia. I finished my diploma there, in secretarial training and accounting. I never planned to come to the U.S, but in 1998, Ethiopia became unsafe for my husband, who is Eritrean. We came to Dallas with our three children; they were 8, 14, and 17 at the time. The community helped me find an apartment and a job. I have worked at so many different jobs in my life! My children are grown now. I have one grandbaby and two grand-dogs.
Cambridge is my second job. During the week I work at Catholic Charities Dallas. I’ve worked there since 2005, in several different departments. Currently I’m a case manager helping resettle refugees from Cuba. I don’t speak Spanish, but I do speak Ethiopian and Eritrean. Sometimes I interpret for my colleagues who work with refugees from Ethiopia or Eritrea, and sometimes my Spanish-speaking colleagues interpret for me. We trade!
I really enjoy my spiritual life. Every Sunday, I’m at the Ethiopian Coptic Church in Garland, and I’m active in the congregation. In 2019, I had the chance to take a sabbatical to travel to Jerusalem for 11 days. It was amazing!
Franclean
Caregiver
To be a good caregiver, you have to look at the client like family,” he said. “I think to myself, ‘What if this was my grandfather, or my mom? How do I provide the best care I can for them?
Franclean is a young man who’s going places. And his career with Cambridge Caregivers is helping him get there.
“I love working for Cambridge, because they’re flexible and they schedule my work around my studies and other commitments,” he said.
Those commitments include studying to become a cybersecurity specialist, as a student in Grand Canyon University’s online program, and serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves. Two or three times a month, he reports to the Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex, where he’s a supplies specialist, trained in supporting missions with the weapons, ammunition, and food needed. He’s attending training there too, working toward a promotion.
But Franclean says he turns his full attention to his clients on the days when he’s working for Cambridge Caregivers.
“To be a good caregiver, you have to look at the client like family,” he said. “I think to myself, ‘What if this was my grandfather, or my mom? How do I provide the best care I can for them?’”
Most of Franclean’s family members are still back home in Cameroon, but he’s starting his own family here in the U.S. too. He got married two months ago!
“Growing up, I was taught to overcome challenges and difficulties,” he said. “I’m taking care of my family back home. I feel like I’m here for a purpose, and I keep pushing to accomplish that purpose.”
Franclean has been with Cambridge over a year and became particularly close to the second client he served.
“He treated me like I was his son,” said Franclean. “I built a relationship with him. I was with him several months until he passed away. He’s the one that inspired me and still inspires me.”
Caregiving can be challenging at times, of course, but Franclean says the support of Cambridge Caregivers keeps him going.
“They are fair, they work around your schedule, and they put the employees and their safety first,” he said. “If you’re feeling stressed, they have resources to help you. Their employees are always their top priority.”
Gloria
Caregiver
I love what I do. I love to help people. I think it’s just in my blood.
Having a job that she loves is important to Gloria, and Cambridge Caregivers fits the bill.
“You have to love your job,” she said. “If you don’t love what you do, you’re never going to be happy. I love what I do. I love to help people. I think it’s just in my blood.”
A key ingredient of her on-the-job happiness, Gloria adds, is the leadership team at Cambridge Caregivers.
“I love that Cambridge takes care of its employees,” she said. “The people in the corporate office have a hand to help you and a shoulder to cry on. And everyone has a good heart. I’m not talking about just money. When a client passes away, or you need to go to a doctor’s appointment, or you need to talk to someone at the office, they are always there for you. Cambridge Caregivers is led by a good team. It’s important to have good people to work for.”
Jay
Caregiver
I guess you could say that I’ve joined the family business: caregiving.
I’m from a huge family in Fort Worth and grew up surrounded by my aunts and other relatives who were CNAs. I saw them caring for people, and I always knew that I wanted to take care of people too. I know caregiving is just a job for some people. For me, it’s more like a calling.
My Grandma once told me, “Jay, you’ve never met a stranger.” That’s the way I was brought up, always seeking to bring whatever joy I can. When I go into a client’s house, I’m there to fill a void, to help them with whatever they’re going through. I love being with people and just bringing some light.
I enjoy working for Cambridge Caregivers. They do a good job of matching caregivers with clients. Such a good job that I’ve gotten a little attached to some of my clients, and sometimes that’s hard.
I cared for an older couple, and they felt like my adopted grandparents. I was there when the husband passed. My first client was an older gentleman who was in the last stages of cancer treatment. I had lost my father to cancer less than a year earlier, so it kind of hit home.
To help me process that, Cambridge Caregivers put me in contact with the grief counselor. She’s really been really helping me out. I’ve learned that I try to always be strong for everyone and that’s not always healthy for me. She has given a lot of support on how to properly grieve, and I’m grateful for that.
Jayeola
Caregiver
Like many of our members of the Cambridge Caregivers team, Jayeola’s compassionate caregiving is rooted in personal experience with a family member.
Jayeola learned the practical skills and knowledge the job requires while earning her CNA. But she first discovered her heart for this work while caring for a beloved family member.
“My grandmom in Nigeria took care of me when I was a baby and raised me until about age 9,” she said. “When she got old, I took care of her. She lived almost until age 100. I think that experience taught me about how to be a good caregiver.”
Being a caregiver is hard work, Jayeola added, both physical and mentally.
“Physically, you may have to support or lift the client,” she said. “Mentally, you must have empathy. You must have kindness.”
Occasionally, a client living with dementia may become confused or uncooperative or may ask the same question over and over. To stay patient and calm, Jayeola said, a good caregiver must be emotionally and mentally grounded.
“You need to just breath in and breathe out,” she said. “Sometimes you may need to redirect.” That means gently turning the client’s attention away from whatever is upsetting them, to something positive, like a hobby or a happy memory.
Clients and their families love Jayeola’s genuine caring attitude. She’s always on time, and always willing to go above and beyond to help wherever she can.
“If you’re not a kind or empathetic person, you cannot do this kind of job,” she said. “To be a good caregiver, you must enjoy what you are doing, and I do.”
Jeneive
Caregiver
Being a good caregiver requires compassion. You have to understand the client’s situation from their viewpoint.
I once met a new client living with dementia and mobility issues. When I introduced myself, she immediately said she did not need help. So I sat next to her and said, “I am here today for you. Whatever you need me to do, I can help you. If you feel like you want to do something yourself, I can also help.” She loved that approach.
So we started the dishes—I washed, and she dried!
I’ve been with Cambridge Caregivers for almost a year. The agency is just so much more professional than the one I worked for before. The Cambridge staff really cares about the caregivers. My scheduler, Nikki Tucker, goes above and beyond. If you need any adjustments in the schedule, she makes it happen right away. If you just need an ear, someone to talk to, she’s always there. She takes time to listen and give you the advice you need. I’m really impressed with Cambridge. I feel so lucky that I found them.
I’ve always known I wanted to work in caregiving because I enjoy helping people. When my clients tell me that I’ve made a big difference in their lives, it means the world to me.
Juliet
Caregiver
Good caregiving often demands patience and compassion. But most of all, it takes love, according to Juliet, manager of the Manchester Care Home in Preston Hollow.
Good caregiving often demands patience and compassion. But most of all, it takes love, according to Juliet, manager of the Manchester Care Home in Preston Hollow.
“You have to love your job,” she said. “It’s not just about the money. Yes, we all need to get paid, but with caregiving, you must have love. I look at every one of our residents as my mom or my dad. I think, ‘If my mom or dad was in a home, how would I want them to be taken care of?’ The answer is, I would want them to be given the best level of care possible. So that’s how I approach my job every day.”
Juliet likes to listen to self-help books, which keeps her positive.
“I think the most important lesson in life is to approach everything with love,” she said. “Yes, some days are stressful or challenging. But the biggest thing for me is love.”
Juliet says working for Manchester Care Homes is the best job she has ever had.
“Everyone in the company—from Adam, the CEO, on down—respects everyone. Adam appreciates us as caregivers. He knows how challenging our work can be at times. Knowing how much the leadership team values us means a lot.”
Caregiving is the latest in Juliet’s varied career. She’s a mom of four, with two grown children (“They’re both engineers!” she says proudly) and two younger kids, ages 13 and 4. Before coming to America, she helped manage a family construction equipment business in Zimbabwe. Had you met her back then, she might have been wearing coveralls and a hard hat!
Juliet was also a bodybuilder back in Zimbabwe, winner of a couple of national competitions and a card-carrying member of the International Federation of Body Builders.
“Now I just work out to stay healthy!” she said.
Kami
Caregiver
Thank you to our fantastic Caregiver, Kami. Kami was able to report a change accurately and quickly in the client’s condition that resulted in an early catch treated at the PCP’s office rather than a hospitalization.
For Kami, caregiving isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. A former teacher, Kami brings patience, emotional intelligence, and a heart for service to every shift. She has worked with multiple clients at Cambridge Caregivers, including two women she’s served for more than a year. “They’ve both become like family,” she said.
When working with clients experiencing cognitive decline, Kami has learned how to meet them where they are.
“You step into their reality, even if that means apologizing for things you didn’t do,” she said. “Their feelings are their facts, and you validate them with love.”
Kami, who often works 15-hour shifts, says the emotional weight can be heavy—but it’s a privilege to hold someone’s memories and help preserve their dignity.
“This is a season of service for me,” she said. “I try to show up with grace, because I hope someone will care for my mom one day the way I care for these ladies.”
For Kami, every act of care is personal, purposeful, and rooted in empathy. “We don’t do this for recognition—we do it because we believe every life deserves love, respect, and compassion,” she said.
Kayla
Caregiver
Kayla is another one of our Houston Caregivers that set the bar high. She worked with one of our clients that is currently on hold. She set the stand so high that her client continued service even after she was feeling better.
Kayla recently stepped into a new role—training incoming caregivers at Cambridge Caregivers’ Houston office. Her goal: to help them deliver the same compassionate, high-quality care she’s known for.
Kayla teaches essential skills like safely assisting clients in and out of bed or a wheelchair, maintaining hygiene and understanding HIPAA regulations. But she emphasizes that the most important skill can’t be taught from a manual.
“You must have compassion,” she tells new caregivers. “Put yourself in your client’s shoes. Think about how you’d want your own loved one treated—especially if they couldn’t do things for themselves.”
Patience, she adds, is just as vital. “You might have a million things going on in your life, but as a caregiver, you set that aside when you walk into the client’s home. You show up focused on the person you’re caring for.”
Kayla’s passion for caregiving grew as she cared for her late father during his cancer treatments. “I like helping people—it’s my hobby,” she said with a smile. “But I also understand what families are going through when someone they love is sick or struggling.”
When a client has a difficult day—especially those living with dementia—Kayla leans on redirection and a gentle sense of humor. “If a client doesn’t want to shower, I might say, ‘Do you smell that? Did you take your shower yet?’ Sometimes a little humor makes all the difference.”
Laura
Caregiver
Growing up in Ukraine, I was a sickly child and spent a lot of time in the hospital. I’m healthy now, thankfully, but I was inspired by the nurses who cared for me.
I saw a lot of good nurses, who really cared about their patients. I thought, “I’m going to go into the medical field, and I want to be one of the good ones.”
And I did. I was a physician assistant in Ukraine, then became an RN when I came to the States in 2002. I’ve been with Cambridge Caregivers since 2022.
To me, being a good nurse and caregiver means being detail-oriented and having empathy for patients or clients. You have to have compassion, to be able to listen and hear and understand.
I think Cambridge Caregivers is also “one of the good ones” when it comes to in-home care companies. The staff is attentive. If you raise a concern, they respond. Everyone really wants to give the best care to our clients.
When I’m not working, I stay busy with my family. My mother, my brother, and his family are all here in Dallas… I also spend time gardening, doing repairs around the house, and fixing the car.
I’m a doer. I’m constantly busy with something. When I’m sitting around with nothing to do, that’s a bad time for me!
Lisa
Caregiver
Lisa went above and beyond by collaborating with Presbyterian Village North to gain valuable insights on providing the best possible care for the client. Throughout her shift, she kept Cambridge Caregivers informed with regular updates and shared thoughtful observations and insights once her shift concluded, showcasing her dedication to exceptional care and teamwork.
Maria
Caregiver
Maria is absolutely fantastic in the care and empathy she provides. Her compassionate nature and dedication shine through in everything she does, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she cares for.
Mark
Caregiver
After I retired, I was looking for a sense of purpose. Working with Cambridge Caregivers provides that for me. When Clayton and I get together, we do a lot of laughing. There are no off-limit subjects. This is not just a client-caregiver relationship. We’re friends.
After retiring from a career in tech sales, service, and consulting in 2022, Mark L. kept busy with a home remodeling project and a volunteer project for his synagogue. But when those two projects wrapped up around the same time in early 2024, Mark found himself at loose ends. He needed a sense of purpose and a way to keep busy.
“I’m a giver,” said Mark. “I wanted to do something with purpose.”
As it turned out, he made a friend.
By way of Chief Relationship Officer Brian Levy, Mark learned about Cambridge Caregivers’ concierge program, which provides a high level of “white glove” service, typically for older adult clients who are ambulatory but unable to drive. Mark decided to give it a try and underwent training.
Soon after, a Cambridge Community Liaison introduced Mark to Clayton, 84, a client who is active and relatively healthy, but no longer able to drive after cancer treatment. Clayton was looking for companionship and someone to drive him to outings and errands. One stipulation the Community Liaison shared about the assignment: Mark would have to drive Clayton in his Tesla Model 3.
Mark replied: “I’m in!”
At their first meeting, the two men immediately hit it off. Mark learned that Clayton had been a successful businessman in San Francisco in the 1980s. Both had worked with some of the same companies.
“Clayton was there on the ground floor, in the golden age of tech, with a packaging business that supplied companies like Microsoft and Atari,” said Mark.
The two men also discovered they had a lot of other things in common. They’re both foodies and enjoy going out to eat. They also share a similar sense of humor.
“When we get together, we do a lot of laughing,” said Mark. “There are no off-limit subjects. This is not just a client-caregiver relationship. We’re friends. When we’re driving someplace, sometimes we chat and sometimes we just sit in the car in companionable silence. That’s the stage the friendship is in.”
Mary
Caregiver
I miss my family in Kenya, but I feel like I have family here, too, with my clients. We sit outside together. We play Bingo or cards. I have someone to talk to, and they make me smile.
I know what it’s like to rely on a caregiver for basic needs. I’ve been there myself. I know what it’s like to lie in bed, wanting a glass of water, and you can’t reach it for yourself. I know because I had to rely on my family and my doctors twice in recent years while I underwent treatment for breast cancer and later when I broke my ankle.
I discovered a lump in 2019 and a biopsy confirmed cancer. I still remember getting the call with the news. I was so frightened. I told my children, “Just divide what I have among yourselves. I think I’m done.”
But my daughter, who is nurse, told me that many people who get cancer will survive. My doctor told me to stay hopeful. I had surgery and radiation. That was a very rough time. But now I’m cancer free and I thank God for that.
Then, in late 2022, I stumbled in my apartment and broke my ankle. I had to crawl to the front door to let first responders into my apartment. The pain was so bad.
After the surgery, I couldn’t work for several weeks. I’m so grateful for the company’s support during that time. Colleagues called and checked on me. Cambridge Caregivers continued to pay me while I recovered. That’s why I love Cambridge. They really took care of me when I needed it.
Those experiences help me understand what my clients are going through. But I’ve also always been a caregiver. I grew up in Kenya, the second of nine children and the oldest girl. I had to cook and help out a lot.
I miss my family in Kenya, but I feel like I have family here, too, with my clients. We sit outside together. We play Bingo or cards. I have someone to talk to, and they make me smile.
Melissa
Caregiver
As a caregiver, I understand that I’m coming into someone’s home. That person doesn’t know me yet. I try to show my respect for their home. I’m attentive, and I make it clear that I’m there to help. It’s all about trust and listening.
Cambridge Caregivers’ clients have invited Melissa C. to special occasions—a birthday party, a Thanksgiving dinner, a granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah.
That’s because good caregiving is about relationships, said Melissa, a member of the Cambridge Caregivers team.
For these social occasions, she said, “The client needed my help, but they also wanted me to be there. One client told me, ‘I’m so happy to have you here.’ We’ve become good friends.”
From the moment she walks into a client’s home for the first time, Melissa said she’s focused on building a relationship with the client.
“Relationships are the foundation of everything you do,” she said. “As a caregiver, I understand that I’m coming into someone’s home. That person doesn’t know me yet. I try to show my respect for their home. I’m attentive, and I make it clear that I’m there to help. It’s all about trust and listening.”
“Going above and beyond” is another key to a successful caregiving relationship. “Some clients are particular about how they want things done,” she said. “I’m careful about following their instructions and wishes. To me, it’s about manners. It’s how I was raised. My mother made me help around the house, so I know how to take care of a home.”
If a client is having a bad day, Melissa adds, soft words and patience go a long way. “If someone is a little cranky, I remember it may just be the state they’re in that day,” she said. “I don’t take it personally. I stay calm. As a caregiver, how you react will set the tone.
When you stay calm, the client can stay calm, and the situation can resolve peacefully.”
When she’s not working as a caregiver, Melissa is busy with church and school. She’s an active member of the World Mission Society Church of God in Richardson and is studying psychology at the University of Texas at Dallas. She’s able to schedule her caregiving shifts around her classes. Melissa will graduate next December. Ultimately, she hopes to attend medical school and become a psychiatrist.
“My uncle has a psychiatric practice in Garland, and I’d love to work there one day,” she said.
Michael
Caregiver
At Cambridge, my hard work is appreciated. I’m just thankful to have a job that allows me to give back to people. I feel very fortunate to work for the clients I have. One has a great sense of humor and makes me laugh every day. I tend to take things too literally. He brings me out of my shell!
I’ve always been a giving person. Before joining Cambridge, I worked as a doorman. An acquaintance who works in the caregiving industry saw my patience and ability to work with people. He suggested that I’d be a good caregiver. A light bulb went off. I thought, “Maybe this is something that is for me.” I’ve always enjoyed being around elders. I had a grandmother, Miss Annie, who was a great lady. She had a lot of patience, and she was funny! She was a big influence in my life when I was young.
I feel very fortunate to work for the clients I have. Many of them are veterans. If they ask me to arrive at 11 a.m., I get there at 10:55 a.m. They expect things to be done right! One gentleman in particular has a great sense of humor. He makes me laugh every day. I tend to be uptight and take things too literally, so he brings me out of my shell! His eyesight is not good, so I drive him to the gym, to get a haircut, or just to hang out and get a smoothie. I learn something new every day I’m with him, and I think he appreciates me, too.
So, that acquaintance who encouraged me to work in caregiving was right. This is the job for me. At Cambridge, my hard work and dedication are appreciated. I’m just thankful that this job allows me to do what I do best, which is giving back to people.
RoseMary
Caregiver
When I visit the corporate office, there’s always someone who will listen. Our CEO, Adam Lampert, has an open-door policy. Cambridge Caregivers feels like my second home!
Rosemary has been with Cambridge Caregivers since 2019, and she plans to stay.
“I plan to retire with this company!” she said. “Working for Cambridge Caregivers is a pleasure. The staff are so eager to help and willing to listen. Our CEO, Adam Lampert, has an open-door policy. As an immigrant, Cambridge Caregivers feels like my second home.”
Before coming to the U.S., Rosemary earned a master’s degree in disaster management in her home country, South Africa. Surprisingly, that education helps her serve clients as a caregiver.
“With disaster management, you have to be very alert, and you learn about risk assessment,” she said. “As a caregiver, part of my job is paying attention to safety risks in the home, or possible signs of developing health issues, so that I can alert the client or their family members, and they can address them if needed. I’m very blessed that I can apply those concepts in the work I do.”
Rosemary adds that reliability, passion, and good listening skills are also essential to providing great caregiving. It’s about respecting the client’s autonomy and independence, as much as the client wants and is able to maintain.
“As a caregiver, you are not taking control,” she said. “You are assisting someone with daily life. So, you listen. You create a rapport first. That builds trust.”
Teandra
Caregiver
In her first year with Cambridge Caregivers in Houston, Teandra has already distinguished herself as a compassionate caregiver and trusted teammate. Known for her empathy, communication skills and ability to connect with clients—especially those living with dementia—she was recently named to the Houston trainer team, reflecting her dedication to excellence in caregiving.
In August, Teandra celebrated her first anniversary with Cambridge Caregivers in Houston, marking a milestone that reflects her dedication, compassion and natural calling to caregiving.
“Caregiving is just who I am at my core,” she said. “I’m a problem-solver and someone who genuinely cares.”
That caring spirit has not gone unnoticed. Teandra’s colleagues in the Houston office describe her as a caregiver who consistently sets the standard high. She was recently selected as one of four caregivers to serve on the Houston office’s trainer team. Known as an excellent communicator, she keeps the entire team updated about new developments and concerns that may arise with a client, ensuring the highest quality of care.
Beyond her daily work, Teandra is also investing in her future. She is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Chamberlain University, carrying a perfect 4.0 GPA and a spot on the Dean’s List. Her ultimate goal is to become a registered nurse specializing in geriatrics. “I’ve worked in residential care facilities and learned a lot through hands-on experience,” she explains. “Now I’m building on that foundation through nursing school.”
For Teandra, caregiving is deeply personal. As a mother of four and a grandmother of two, she often thinks about the kind of care she would want her own family members to receive. “I always think about how I would want someone to care for my own family members,” she said. “That mindset keeps me grounded and reminds me to always lead with patience and compassion, especially on the hard days.”
Her empathy is especially evident in her work with clients living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. “I really enjoy building that one-on-one connection,” she said. “That’s definitely where my heart is. People living with dementia just want to be heard, not talked down to in a condescending or belittling manner. A lot of what I do is reassuring.”
Teandra says a lighthearted approach is often the best way to help clients through difficult moments. “I do a lot of redirecting of the client’s thoughts or energies,” she explains. If she’s transferring a client – holding them close while assisting in a move from a wheelchair to a living room chair, for example — she’ll say things like, “Let’s dance!” – sparking a smile and putting the client at ease.
Her approach reflects her belief in what sets an exceptional caregiver apart.
“To me, what makes a caregiver truly indispensable is the ability to take initiative and step in with confidence,” she said. “It’s about showing up, giving your best and providing consistent quality care that reflects well on the company. It’s also about the relationships. When clients feel as if you’ve become part of their family, that’s when you know you’re doing something right.”
For Teandra, caregiving is not just a career—it’s a calling. “There’s a big difference between being a good caregiver and being an exceptional one,” she said. “And that difference is you. It’s your attitude, your heart and how you choose to show up every day that sets you apart.”
Tommie
Caregiver
Tommie is one of our truly terrific Caregivers. One of our clients was so moved by his care and support that they described him as a “national treasure” – a testament to the incredible difference he makes.