When Vincent and Maria Marino were looking to launch a business, they found themselves gravitating toward a helping field. In 2021, the Bernardsville couple opened Seniors Helping Seniors in Basking Ridge, which takes a unique approach to caregiving by matching trained companion and personal care professionals who are themselves seniors with seniors in need of assistance.
“Companionship from peers is important at any age but it can be an essential lifeline for seniors who live at home,” Vincent says. “A twenty-year-old caregiver cannot build the same type of relationship as someone of a similar age who is relatable and more empathetic.”
Studies have shown that seniors who have regular social interaction with people around their own age enjoy improved mental, emotional and physical health. In addition, regular social interaction—paired with physical and mental activity—can reduce the risk of dementia and depression and stave off health concerns like high blood pressure. “Companionship greatly improves a senior’s quality of life,” Maria says.
“We offer two levels of trained care,” says Michael Marino, the couple’s son. “Companion care provides companionship for people who are alone and need help with tasks like laundry, light housekeeping and trips to the grocery store or appointments. Or they might interact socially, whether it is playing games, going for walks or simply talking. Personal care assistants are certified as home health aides by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and provide intensive help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, feeding and going to the bathroom.”
The Marinos take the time to get to know the caregivers they will place. “We perform thorough interviews, background checks and evaluations to make sure we create compatible matches for our senior clients,” Vincent says. “As a result, we match caregivers and seniors who are likely to become friends.”
“Many of our senior caregivers already have taken care of loved ones,” Maria adds. “They know the difficulties that can arise and want to help other families out.”
Seniors Helping Seniors—which primarily serves Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties—provides whatever services clients may need, from meal planning, shopping and cooking to light housekeeping and yard work to pet care. Often, the caregivers fill in the gaps, doing routine tasks like reminding clients to take their medication, mailing bills, watching for potential tripping hazards and running errands.
Respite care can help prevent burnout in spouses who are caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s. “Our senior caregivers can give spouses a much-needed break, allowing them to go to appointments or have lunch with a friend,” Maria says. “We even provide overnight stays and 24-hour care as needed.” If family members live a distance away, caregivers can connect with them on a regular basis to provide updates on their loved one.
The Marinos often hear from senior clients that their friends have moved, passed away or themselves are unable to travel to visit, leaving them increasingly alone and lonely.
“The real key is companionship, whether personal care is needed or not,” Vincent says. “There is someone present with mom or dad or both, playing cards, reading with them or going to an event if their physical abilities allow. It’s nice for family members to have someone help parents with meal preparation or accompany them to a hair or medical appointment if the senior no longer drives. This relieves the burden from families, especially if they live far away.”
Find out more services offered by Seniors Helping Seniors at SeniorsHelpingSeniors.com.