In home care, there are caregivers who simply do their job, and there are caregivers who families come to depend on the way they’d depend on family. Cheryl Macey has spent nearly a decade and a half proving she belongs in the second category.
Cheryl has been a New York State-certified Home Health Aide since February 6, 2010. For the past nine years, she has worked exclusively for Alvita Care, joining the agency on July 3, 2017, and staying ever since. In an industry where turnover is common, Cheryl’s loyalty has given her something valuable to offer her clients: familiarity. Because she knows Alvita’s routines inside and out, she’s trusted with consistent, recurring assignments — the kind that let a caregiver and client build real rapport over time.
The Night She Didn’t Go Home
Ask anyone on Alvita’s Team New York City about Cheryl, and one story comes up almost immediately.
It was a shift with her longtime client living with dementia, in Brooklyn. Partway through the day, Cheryl learned that the caregiver scheduled to relieve her was a no call, no show. For most people, that would be a problem for someone else to solve. For Cheryl, it wasn’t a question.
“I stayed until 12:00 AM because I wasn’t going to leave her alone,” Cheryl said. “That’s just not something I could do.”
She stayed well past midnight, making sure her client was safe, calm, and cared for. Then, just hours later, Cheryl was back on the clock at 8:30 AM.
What makes the story even more remarkable is the commute. Cheryl lives in the Bronx. Both of her clients that day were in Brooklyn, meaning she made the trip twice within a matter of hours, on almost no sleep, without complaint. It’s the kind of quiet sacrifice that rarely gets noticed unless someone thinks to ask about it — but it’s exactly the kind of reliability that makes a coordinator’s job easier and a family’s peace of mind possible.
Skilled, Patient, and Trained for the Hard Moments
Reliability is only part of what makes Cheryl stand out. She also carries specialized training in dementia and memory care, a skill set that matters enormously for families navigating a diagnosis that can be frightening and unpredictable.
Cheryl is experienced in managing the more complex behavioral symptoms that can come with dementia — wandering, aggression, and agitation — while still handling the everyday essentials of the job: bathing, dressing, and the countless small tasks that make up a client’s daily routine. She approaches all of it using person-centered techniques, meeting each client where they are rather than expecting them to adjust to her.
“You have to meet people with patience, not frustration,” Cheryl explained. “Every client is different, and my job is to figure out what they need in that moment — not what’s easiest for me.”
That balance of clinical skill and emotional steadiness is a big part of why families and coordinators alike ask for her by name.
What Inspires Her
For Cheryl, the motivation behind the long hours and the difficult days comes down to something simple: independence and dignity.
“I am deeply motivated by the opportunity to help clients maintain their independence and dignity at home,” she said. “Building a trusting relationship and seeing the positive impact of my care on a client’s daily quality of life is the most rewarding part of the job for me.”
It’s a reminder that home care isn’t just about tasks completed — it’s about a person’s ability to keep living life on their own terms, in their own home, with someone they trust beside them.
Advice for Fellow Caregivers
Nine years in, Cheryl has learned a few things about pacing herself in a job that can be emotionally and physically demanding. Her advice to other caregivers is refreshingly grounded.
“Take it one day at a time,” Cheryl said. “Focus on what you can control. Forgive yourself for mistakes and celebrate small victories.”
Where She Finds Pride
When asked what makes her proud as a caregiver, Cheryl doesn’t point to recognition or praise. She points to presence.
“I often feel the deepest pride in being a reliable presence during tough times, forming strong bonds, and successfully helping loved ones remain safe and independent in their own homes,”
That word — reliable — comes up again and again with Cheryl, whether she’s describing herself or being described by the coordinators who work with her.
Nine Years and Still Going Strong
Cheryl doesn’t have much to say about Alvita Care that isn’t positive, which, after nearly a decade, speaks for itself.
“I’ve been with Alvita Care for almost a decade and I’m enjoying the steady pay increases, great managers and coordinators — no major complaints from me,”
For an agency that depends on caregivers like Cheryl to keep its promise to families, that kind of long-term loyalty matters just as much in the other direction.
Families and coordinators across New York City already know exactly what to expect when she’s on the schedule: she’ll be there, she’ll be prepared, and she won’t leave until the job is done.
About Alvita Care
Alvita Care is the most trusted Home Care Services Agency offering professional and compassionate care and nursing services to clients wherever they call home. We proudly serve New York City, Westchester, Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey with a team of licensed and experienced home health aides and nurses dedicated to providing the highest standard of care.
