Loretta Smith isn’t just a caregiver — she’s a source of light for everyone around her. As the 2024 Caregiver of the Year from the Comfort Keepers® office in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Smith has spent the last five years going above and beyond for her clients, her team and her community. But her commitment to caregiving runs far deeper — it’s a passion she’s nurtured for more than three decades.
“I just love what I do,” said Smith. “I’m very compassionate and I have empathy. I’m very loyal and responsible. I support not just our clients, but I also support our caregivers out in the field and give them the knowledge and experience they need to be successful.”
From personal care to mentoring caregivers and even helping with durable medical equipment education, Smith does it all. But it’s the way she connects with people that truly sets her apart.
Smith’s journey into caregiving started at home. She lost both of her parents at a young age after caring for them through illness. That early experience lit the spark for what became a lifelong career in caregiving.
“I would do anything for anybody,” she said. “Connecting with other people gives me that sense of purpose and satisfaction. It’s just so rewarding caring for people and just being there for them and supporting them through their times of need — especially for those who have more long-term disability. I just love what I do.”
Now, in her senior caregiver role with Comfort Keepers, she channels that passion into every visit and interaction. Her humility and gratitude are palpable when she reflects on the award.
“I’m very humbled,” she said. “It’s not just me that won this award. It’s everyone who helped me get there — my team, my clients, and my caregivers.”
One of the most touching examples of Smith’s caregiving happened recently, when she arranged a surprise outing for a client with Parkinson’s dementia. The client, a local artist, had spent many years volunteering at a nearby horse rescue but hadn’t been able to visit in years. Smith made it happen — and the reunion was unforgettable.
“Not only did this have significant meaning for our client, but the horse rescue owner personally reached out to tell us what an amazing moment it was for everyone,” said Scott Oaks, vice president of franchise development.
For Smith, these are the moments that define her work. “I have a client who’s 100 years old,” she said. “We sat in the kitchen and painted pumpkins together. The happiness that was glowing on his face — it was everything.”
She also puts time into building relationships with clients' families. When caring for a woman with dementia whose children lived in California, Smith documented their activities together in a scrapbook — Q-tip painting, beach outings and coffee filter crafts — and mailed it across the country.
“It gave the family a sense of what she did during the day,” she said. “They were amazed at the quality of care and the time I spent to create that book.”
What makes Smith’s impact even more powerful is the support she extends to fellow caregivers. From sharing her experience in the field to simply being a comforting voice on the other end of the phone, she is always there.
“When I talk to a caregiver,” Smith said, “I tell them, ‘Even though I’m not with you, I’m in your back pocket. Don’t be afraid to call or text anytime.’”
She even found ways to give back during the holidays, arranging a Thanksgiving meal for a caregiver in need through a local grocery store. “That really hit me,” Smith said. “I was in tears, so happy to be able to say, ‘Please use this for your family.’”
Comfort Keepers has long stood out in the senior care space for its Interactive Caregiving™ model, which emphasizes holistic support for seniors — mind, body and spirit. It’s a philosophy Smith lives and breathes every day.
“We’re nothing without our caregivers,” said Oaks. “People like Loretta are the heart of this organization.”
Comfort Keepers’ commitment to its caregivers shows in the numbers — 90% of caregivers report being satisfied with the personal fulfillment gained in their job, and in 2023, the brand earned the Great Place to Work® certification. Part of that caregiver satisfaction is due to the support Comfort Keepers provides to their caregivers and franchisees. Comfort Keepers' system for matching the right caregiver with the right client puts the caregiver in a position to do their best work. This not only impacts job satisfaction but also helps to improve retention.
For Smith, caregiving is more than a job. It’s her purpose. “Comfort Keepers supports me in everything I do, and I can’t say enough about how amazing this company is,” she said. “I love what I do. It just fuels me every day.”
And for Comfort Keepers, she’s the embodiment of their mission: elevating the human spirit, one act of compassion at a time.
For more information on franchising with Comfort Keepers, visit: https://1851franchise.com/comfort-keepers.
Comfort Keepers
SPONSORED
Recognized as Comfort Keeper of the Year by Comfort Keepers, Smith uplifts clients, mentors caregivers and brings joy to her community through heartfelt service.
Loretta Smith isn’t just a caregiver — she’s a source of light for everyone around her. As the 2024 Caregiver of the Year from the Comfort Keepers® office in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Smith has spent the last five years going above and beyond for her clients, her team and her community. But her commitment to caregiving runs far deeper — it’s a passion she’s nurtured for more than three decades.
“I just love what I do,” said Smith. “I’m very compassionate and I have empathy. I’m very loyal and responsible. I support not just our clients, but I also support our caregivers out in the field and give them the knowledge and experience they need to be successful.”
From personal care to mentoring caregivers and even helping with durable medical equipment education, Smith does it all. But it’s the way she connects with people that truly sets her apart.
Smith’s journey into caregiving started at home. She lost both of her parents at a young age after caring for them through illness. That early experience lit the spark for what became a lifelong career in caregiving.
“I would do anything for anybody,” she said. “Connecting with other people gives me that sense of purpose and satisfaction. It’s just so rewarding caring for people and just being there for them and supporting them through their times of need — especially for those who have more long-term disability. I just love what I do.”
Now, in her senior caregiver role with Comfort Keepers, she channels that passion into every visit and interaction. Her humility and gratitude are palpable when she reflects on the award.
“I’m very humbled,” she said. “It’s not just me that won this award. It’s everyone who helped me get there — my team, my clients, and my caregivers.”
One of the most touching examples of Smith’s caregiving happened recently, when she arranged a surprise outing for a client with Parkinson’s dementia. The client, a local artist, had spent many years volunteering at a nearby horse rescue but hadn’t been able to visit in years. Smith made it happen — and the reunion was unforgettable.
“Not only did this have significant meaning for our client, but the horse rescue owner personally reached out to tell us what an amazing moment it was for everyone,” said Scott Oaks, vice president of franchise development.
For Smith, these are the moments that define her work. “I have a client who’s 100 years old,” she said. “We sat in the kitchen and painted pumpkins together. The happiness that was glowing on his face — it was everything.”
She also puts time into building relationships with clients' families. When caring for a woman with dementia whose children lived in California, Smith documented their activities together in a scrapbook — Q-tip painting, beach outings and coffee filter crafts — and mailed it across the country.
“It gave the family a sense of what she did during the day,” she said. “They were amazed at the quality of care and the time I spent to create that book.”
What makes Smith’s impact even more powerful is the support she extends to fellow caregivers. From sharing her experience in the field to simply being a comforting voice on the other end of the phone, she is always there.
“When I talk to a caregiver,” Smith said, “I tell them, ‘Even though I’m not with you, I’m in your back pocket. Don’t be afraid to call or text anytime.’”
She even found ways to give back during the holidays, arranging a Thanksgiving meal for a caregiver in need through a local grocery store. “That really hit me,” Smith said. “I was in tears, so happy to be able to say, ‘Please use this for your family.’”
Comfort Keepers has long stood out in the senior care space for its Interactive Caregiving™ model, which emphasizes holistic support for seniors — mind, body and spirit. It’s a philosophy Smith lives and breathes every day.
“We’re nothing without our caregivers,” said Oaks. “People like Loretta are the heart of this organization.”
Comfort Keepers’ commitment to its caregivers shows in the numbers — 90% of caregivers report being satisfied with the personal fulfillment gained in their job, and in 2023, the brand earned the Great Place to Work® certification. Part of that caregiver satisfaction is due to the support Comfort Keepers provides to their caregivers and franchisees. Comfort Keepers' system for matching the right caregiver with the right client puts the caregiver in a position to do their best work. This not only impacts job satisfaction but also helps to improve retention.
For Smith, caregiving is more than a job. It’s her purpose. “Comfort Keepers supports me in everything I do, and I can’t say enough about how amazing this company is,” she said. “I love what I do. It just fuels me every day.”
And for Comfort Keepers, she’s the embodiment of their mission: elevating the human spirit, one act of compassion at a time.
For more information on franchising with Comfort Keepers, visit: https://1851franchise.com/comfort-keepers.
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