Meet Steve Stern, Office Co-Owner at FirstLight Home Care and Corporate Partner
April 10, 2023 | Corporate Partner Spotlight
What is your company and role, Steve?
I am the President and Co-Owner of FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston and Boston-Back Bay. I am also the regional owner representative of the FirstLight Home Care franchise to the ALCA New England Chapter, and I serve on the Chapter’s Communications Committee. FirstLight is proud to be a Gold Corporate Partner.
What geographic area do you cover?
My FirstLight office primarily serves the western suburbs of Boston including towns like Needham, Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Brookline, and the downtown Boston neighborhoods like the Back Bay, South End, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, etc. (Other FirstLight Offices serve other areas of New England–links included below).
What services do you provide that would be helpful for care managers and their clients to be aware of?
Our care covers everything from friendly conversation to help with basic household tasks and individual needs like bathing and personal hygiene. We are also able to assist with safety supervision, dementia care, and hospice care. Carefully screened caregivers are matched to provide anywhere from a partial day to a 24-hour day or even live-in assistance. FirstLight caregivers help with daily tasks and activities that may become difficult for your loved one to manage as they age.
Why did you get into this business?
After a long marketing communications career, I began exploring new ways to use my skills while seeking a return to the meaningful work which I enjoyed and missed in my early career. I had managed public awareness campaigns for a range of social issues in support of non-profit organizations and government agencies. Clients included the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, New England Home for Little Wanderers, the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, and the predecessor to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Also, I had personally seen the growing need for services to help people remain independent, through care for my grandmother, relatives, and other family members and here was an opportunity for me to give back to the community–to seniors and others in my hometown and the surrounding area by offering an important service—one which has such a significant impact on quality of life.
What separates you from others in the field?
We have compassionate, hard-working caregivers who are fully vetted, hired and supported by us on a daily basis. Our strength also lies with our highly committed and compassionate office team which closely coordinates care and communicates frequently with clients, families, and care managers–and we always do the right thing. And if something is not working, we truly dive in and fix it. Our focus and specialty is all about people – relationships, honesty, empathy, and support. Communication and open conversations–whether it’s with a client, a family member, a caregiver, or a professional colleague–is what it takes to reach the goal of providing the highest quality care. I am also fortunate to have a very experienced social worker and long-time, ALCA Professional Member as my business partner, Co-Owner and Executive Director, Wendy Adlerstein. Care Managers who have worked with Wendy know about her very high standards.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I love to explore the relatively unknown islands of Boston Harbor and the beautiful, nearby coast in my small motorboat. “Off season”, it’s trips to visit my adult sons in Albuquerque, NM and New York City.
To reach Steve: Steve Stern, President & Co-Owner, FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston and Boston-Back Bay; www.wsboston.firstlighthomecare.com ; 781-559-0220
To reach other FirstLight Home Care offices in New England:
In Southern Maine (includes Cumberland, Oxford, Androscoggin and York Counties)
In Western Connecticut (including Fairfield County)
On the North Shore of Mass. (Swampscott, Marblehead, Salem, etc.)
In Boston Northwest (Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Winchester, etc.)
Or for home care services in the many other states with FirstLight offices, simply visit www.firstlighthomecare.com and enter the Zip Code for where services are needed.
Are you interested in participating in our new “Spotlights” series of the ALCA New England Chapter’s new members, Board and Committee members, and Corporate Partners? This is an opportunity for all Chapter members and partners to get to know each other better. To learn more, visit this page.