Pat Murray's grandmother was diagnosed with dementia while he was in college.
While he has a large family who was able to step in to care for her, he realized not every family has that option. Today, he helps Kendal at Home members and their families navigate their next steps as a care coordinator for Massachusetts, along with Ali Sacco-Currie.
He joined the team about a year ago after more than a decade in the state's aging services network, most recently as a case manager with Visiting Angels in Newton and Canton. Before that, he held leadership and direct-service roles at Springwell, BayPath Elder Services, and Elder Services of Worcester Area, including a five-year stretch doing protective services work, both as a caseworker and a supervisor.
Most of that work was service-based. Kendal at Home is based on building long-term relationships with members, which appealed to him.
“They really work with people from a longevity standpoint,” Pat said. “They're starting with people when they're relatively healthy, and continuing that relationship, that partnership, throughout their life. That's probably been my favorite part of the job so far.”
Pat got married last year, and he and his wife Melissa bought a house in Rhode Island. They have a dog, Lucy, a pit bull mix. When he’s not working, he enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends.
We sat down with Pat to talk about what makes the Massachusetts membership unique, how he supports members before they need care, and what keeps him in this work.
What's life like for Kendal at Home members in Massachusetts?
Like many Kendal at Home members, most of the people he works with are healthy and independent. They want to do whatever they can to stay that way and to continue living in the homes and neighborhoods they’ve loved for decades.
Many members still work or volunteer. Some travel the world. Those who didn’t grow up here were drawn by the region's healthcare resources and the various art and entertainment options available in the area.
What does it look like when a new member joins?
Because the main focus is helping members live how and where they want, the relationship starts with a conversation about their goals. A common one is to stay healthy and active, so he’ll often refer them to a personal trainer if they’re not already working with someone.
He’ll also conduct health assessments and a home safety audit to identify potential hazards, like outdoor areas with poor lighting, and make recommendations to address them.
Kendal at Home also offers courses like the Stepping On fall-prevention program and a subscription to virtual fitness classes.
Members who are looking to connect with others can join virtual book clubs or attend dinners or other less formal meet-ups.
How does Pat support members when they need more help?
This past winter, one of the members Pat works with fell on ice while getting her mail and fractured her hip. Pat worked with the hospital team to get her into a rehab facility and helped her track her progress against the goals that would get her home.
She knew she would need more assistance with things like dressing and preparing meals when she returned home, so Pat arranged for a home care agency to come in. He continued to check in with her to make sure she had what she needed as she healed.
After some time, she regained her mobility and can manage her routine on her own.
“She was relatively independent before the fall, and is still pretty independent,” he said.
Pat's members know him as their primary point of contact, but he's quick to point out that they're really getting a full team. That’s different from geriatric care managers, who typically work alone and charge by the hour.
He works closely with Kendal’s other care coordinators who have backgrounds in areas such as occupational and physical therapy, nursing, and social work, which complement his experience in case management and protective services.
Earlier this year, Pat and his Western Massachusetts counterpart became Certified Care Managers, sharpening their knowledge of the broader aging-services landscape across the state. This reinforced a lot of the work he already does and gave him a better understanding of how to support members while allowing them to be as independent as possible.
What's most rewarding about the work?
Pat enjoys getting to know his members and being there for whatever comes next, whether that's a home maintenance question or or a move across the country.
One of his members recently moved to another state, and he’s continued to check in with her over the phone or through Zoom conversations.
If she needs care in her new home, Pat can arrange for it through Kendal’s extensive network of trusted providers.
Get to know your care coordinator
Care coordinators like Pat are the bedrock of Kendal at Home membership, helping you live how and where you want for as long as possible. The relationship starts with a plan and can also include care coverage if you need it.
If you're new to Kendal at Home, learn more about what care coordinators do. If you have questions or would like to know more about how this could look for you, join us for an upcoming seminar in person or online.
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