What Sets Family First Home Companions Apart

At Home Caregivers, Medford, NY

Hi, I’m Jennifer Benjamin, the owner of Family First Home Companions. My mother, Alice Bonora, and I started this company over 19 years ago, and I wanted to share a little about our story and what makes Family First unique in the world of home care. Our journey into caregiving began with our own family, and it’s that deeply personal experience that continues to drive us today.

The Family Caregiving Experience That Started It All

My grandmother, whom I loved dearly, lived with dementia for over ten years. It was a challenging time for our family, watching her memory and independence slip away while also trying to find the right balance of care that would allow her to feel safe and secure at home. My grandfather, meanwhile, struggled with Parkinson’s disease, and his needs were equally complex. My mom and I found ourselves navigating a maze of caregiving decisions, researching everything from safe transfers and medication management to understanding the emotional impact of dementia on the whole family.

Over time, we realized there was no “one-size-fits-all” approach to caregiving. We needed to find caregivers who understood the nuances of my grandparents’ personalities, who could be patient, flexible, and compassionate. Through this experience, my mom and I saw firsthand how much it matters to have caregivers who truly fit with a person’s needs and personality. That realization became the foundation of Family First Home Companions. We wanted to provide high-quality, personalized care for older adults, allowing them to thrive at home while giving their families peace of mind.

Why Family First Home Companions?

When we started Family First Home Companions, our goal was clear: to help older adults stay independent, happy, and comfortable in their own homes, no matter the challenges they faced. We wanted to offer families a trusted solution, so they didn’t have to go through the stressful trial-and-error process that we did.

Today, Family First Home Companions provides a wide range of services, from hourly assistance to 24/7 live-in care. But what really sets us apart is our CareMatch Plus program. This program grew from our belief that a strong match between caregiver and client isn’t just about skill level—it’s about compatibility, personality, and trust. Here’s how CareMatch Plus works and why it’s at the heart of what makes Family First special.

The CareMatch Plus Program: Personalized Care with Heart

CareMatch Plus is our unique approach to pairing clients with caregivers. Instead of simply matching a caregiver’s skills to a client’s needs, we take a more holistic approach, factoring in the client’s personality, preferences, and lifestyle. This process takes time, but it makes a world of difference in the quality of care and comfort our clients experience.

Here are some real-life scenarios that show how CareMatch Plus can make an impact:

1. New to Home Care and Apprehensive

Imagine you’re reaching the point where you need help at home, but the thought of having a stranger in your personal space makes you nervous. Many of our clients are entirely new to home care and feel apprehensive about inviting a caregiver into their lives. CareMatch Plus helps ease this transition. We select caregivers with gentle, friendly personalities who can quickly build rapport and respect boundaries. We’ve found that when clients feel understood and respected from day one, they’re more comfortable accepting the help they need to maintain their independence.

2. Overcoming Bad Past Experiences

One of the hardest parts of caregiving is knowing that some families have had negative experiences with caregivers or agencies in the past. These clients often come to us feeling wary and cautious, which is entirely understandable. CareMatch Plus allows us to rebuild that trust by being thoughtful and meticulous in our caregiver selections. We seek out caregivers who have both the skills and the personal qualities to provide a fresh start. Hearing feedback from clients who say, “This time it’s different; I finally feel safe,” is incredibly rewarding.

3. Dementia Clients in Need of Companionship

As someone who has lived through the ups and downs of dementia caregiving, I know how important it is for those with memory issues to feel secure and connected. Many of our clients with dementia benefit from companionship that is not just professional but personal. With CareMatch Plus, we match clients with caregivers who understand the importance of routine, familiarity, and patience. This personalized approach provides comfort, stability, and meaningful companionship that goes beyond simply meeting physical needs.

A Higher Standard of Care

We created CareMatch Plus because we saw a gap in the way home care agencies traditionally approached caregiving. Too often, families are left feeling like just another number, with caregivers shuffled in and out based on availability rather than compatibility. At Family First, we reject that one-size-fits-all model. We know every family’s needs are unique, and so we take the time to understand those needs on a deeper level.

Our caregivers don’t just perform tasks—they form relationships. When we hire, we look for individuals who bring warmth, compassion, and reliability to their work. We want caregivers who care as much about making a client feel comfortable as they do about completing their daily responsibilities. With CareMatch Plus, we’re setting a higher standard for what families can expect from home care.

To learn more about what sets us apart and our CareMatch Plus program, check out the video below.

 

Our Broader Mission: Independence and Peace of Mind

Our mission goes beyond simply providing caregivers; we want to give families the reassurance that their loved ones are in good hands. Alice and I have been through the ups and downs of caregiving ourselves, and we know the peace of mind that comes with having dependable, compassionate support. We started Family First Home Companions because we wanted to help other families avoid the stress, worry, and frustration we went through.

Every day, our goal is to help older adults not only stay in their homes but truly thrive there. We believe that with the right support, our clients can live fulfilling lives, engaging in hobbies, maintaining friendships, and enjoying moments of joy and independence. Family members can rest assured, knowing their loved ones are being cared for by people who genuinely care.

Beyond Caregiving: Supporting the Whole Family

At Family First Home Companions, we also recognize that caregiving affects the entire family. Through CareMatch Plus and our broader caregiving philosophy, we provide a level of support that goes beyond what traditional agencies offer. By offering hourly, overnight, and 24/7 live-in care options, we give families the flexibility to choose the type and level of support that best fits their lives.

When you work with Family First, you’re not just hiring a caregiver—you’re gaining a partner in care. We’re here to support families as they navigate the emotional and logistical challenges of caring for a loved one. Whether it’s a weekly check-in, assistance with managing care needs, or a compassionate voice on the other end of the phone, we’re here to make life easier.

Thank You for Trusting Us

If you’re reading this, you may be considering home care for yourself or a loved one. I want to thank you for taking the time to learn about Family First Home Companions and what we stand for. My mom and I built this company with the hope that we could make a positive difference in the lives of families, and we’re incredibly proud of the compassionate, dedicated team we’ve built.

Whether you’re new to home care, looking for a fresh start after a difficult experience, or hoping to find companionship for a loved one with dementia, Family First is here to help. We’re honored to be a trusted resource for families, and we look forward to serving your loved ones with the care, respect, and kindness they deserve.

At Family First Home Companions of Long Island, NY our mission is to provide an outstanding home care service that is professional and personalized.  We diligently hire attentive, qualified staff to meet each client’s unique needs and do so with compassion and integrity.  It is an honor and a privilege to help seniors at home to maintain their independence and quality of life in Long Island, NY.  If you or a senior loved one needs help with daily activities such as, meal preparation, household chores, errands, transportation, guidance and supervision for safety at home, please call Family First Home Companions at 631-319-3961.  We proudly serve seniors at home in Albertson, Amityville, Babylon, Baldwin, Bayport, Bay Shore, Bayville, Bellerose Terrace, Bellmore, Bellport, Bethpage, Blue Point, Bohemia, Brentwood, Brightwaters, Brookhaven, Brookville, Calverton, Carle Place, Cedarhurst, Center Moriches, Centereach, Centerport, Central Islip, Cold Spring Harbor, Commack, Copiague, Coram, Deer Park, Dix Hills, East Islip, East Marion, East Meadow, East Moriches, East Northport, East Norwich, East Patchogue, East Quogue, East Rockaway, East Setauket, Eastport, Elmont, Elwood, Farmingdale, Farmingville, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Freeport,  Garden City, Glen Head Glenwood Landing,  Great Neck, Great River, Greenlawn, Greenvale, Hampton Bays, Hauppauge, Hempstead, Hewlett, Hicksville, Holbrook, Holtsville, Huntington, Huntington Station, Inwood,  Island Park, Islandia, Islip, Islip Terrace, Jamesport, Jericho, Kings Park, Kings Point, Lake Grove, Lawrence, Levittown, Lindenhurst, Lloyd Harbor, Locust Valley, Lynbrook, Malverne, Manhasset, Manorville, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Medford, Melville, Merrick, Middle Island, Mill Neck, Miller Place, Mineola, Moriches, Mount Sinai, Nesconset, New Hyde Park, North Amityville, North Babylon, North Lynbrook, North New Hyde Park, North Patchogue, North Valley Stream, North Woodmere,  Northport, Oakdale, Oceanside, Old Bethpage, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay, Patchogue,  Plainview, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Port Washington, Quogue, , Ridge, Riverhead, Rockville Centre, Rocky Point, Ronkonkoma, Roosevelt, Roslyn,  Roslyn Heights, Saint James, Sands Point, Sayville, Sea Cliff, Seaford, Selden, Shirley, Shoreham, Smithtown, Sound Beach, South Hempstead, Southampton, Stony Brook, Syosset, Uniondale, Upton, Valley Stream, Wading River, Wantagh, West Babylon, West Hempstead, West Islip, West Sayville, Westbury, Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, Williston Park, Woodbury, Woodmere, Wyandanch, Yaphank