Bringing Love and Laughter to Homebound Seniors
Sarina Roffé
For many of our community seniors, life at home is lonely and depressing. Many of our seniors are no longer able to join community activities, leaving them homebound and spending much of their days alone and socially isolated. Even with an occasional and quick visit from a loved one, the days are long and very lonely.
That’s where Randi’s Care steps in and is in such high demand. Randi and her team bring light, energy, and joy into the lives of homebound seniors through love, attention, music, dancing, art, games, and small touches that spark both memory and happiness. With her warmth and creativity, Randi transforms what might otherwise be monotonous days into moments of laughter, connection, and dignity.
In August, Randi’s Care began activities specifically to help homebound seniors in our community so that their final years are filled with joy, with respect and dignity. Randi is certified in CPR, First Aid, and as a Personal Care Aide.
On the morning of Friday, August 8th, Randi’s Care held its inaugural breakfast at the home of Sarah and Elliot Tamir with Harry Adjmi as the emcee. Elliot Tamir, the Founder of Randi’s Care, spoke to a house packed with supporters, all of whom saw the tremendous need to fulfill the dreams of the elderly in our community. He thanked Norma Cohen, who managed the event, and Rebecca Harary, Founding Board Member/Treasurer, for her role in launching the organization, and Jack Mann for his fundraising efforts.
“An issue plaguing our community seniors is a silent killer that is very real, but is seldom discussed,” said Elliot Tamir, Founder of Randi’s Care. “We don’t like to think about our seniors being alone. We assume our seniors are okay because they have an aide or family. But I’m telling you, they are not OK. So many of our seniors are sitting in silence, alone, depressed and forgotten. Many are physically wasting away, dying before their time from social isolation.”
Elliot likened Randi to Patch Adams, a character played by Robin Williams, who walks into a children’s hospital ward and makes the sad children smile and come alive with joy and laughter through his magical ways. Randi is her own version of Patch Adams. Guests were each given a red clown nose to wear along with Randi’s Care hats.
Here are some eye-opening statistics:
- Over 1,000 seniors in our community are living completely alone.
- About 70% of them are no longer independent. They can’t just get up and take a walk, go to the doctor, or even use the bathroom without help.
- Around 50% of them have no aides or caretakers.
- Social isolation among the elderly is directly linked to a 30% increased risk of heart attack and a 40% increased risk of stroke.
Randi’s Care.
No one is really watching them. Family visits are not as frequent as they need to be. These are our parents, grandparents, and our great-grandparents.
“This is why Randi’s Care exists. This isn’t just an organization. It’s a lifeline. It’s a mission. It’s a fight for the lives and dignity of our seniors,” said Elliot.
“Randi steps into the lives of our seniors with warmth, joy, love, and a personal touch that transforms their days. Like Patch Adams, Randi brings life back into the room. She dances with them, brings musicians to their homes to play their favorite songs, plays puzzles and brain games with them to keep their minds sharp, and keeps them laughing, engaged, and constantly entertained. Randi brings them delicious meals and their favorite food. And when they’re able to, she actually takes them out on the town, for lunch, for a spa day, and even to a Broadway show. These aren’t just outings, they’re moments of joy and dignity and solid proof that life isn’t over just because they are old.”
More than just providing basic care, Randi’s mission is to make dreams come true. She goes beyond traditional caregiving, understanding each individual’s unique needs and infusing their days with joy, purpose, and excitement. A superhero, Randi challenges them to dream again, taking them on outings to Broadway shows, shopping malls, and movie theaters. She doesn’t just care for seniors, she revives them, bringing light and laughter back into their lives. Her impact extends beyond the seniors, she revitalizes entire households, inspiring caregivers and aides to bring renewed enthusiasm to their roles.
Randi’s Care fills a tremendous need in the community. The organization hopes to train staff in the image of Randi, to spread her joy to many needy seniors in our community.
Randi cared for Claudie Aizer for several years. Sarina Roffé, Executive Director of Randi’s Care, read their comments:
“There are no words big enough to hold the gratitude we feel. The love you gave our mother deserves to be spoken aloud, felt deeply, and remembered forever. In the final chapter of her life, when her world had grown small and her days grew quickly quieter, you arrived not just as a helper, but as a bright, beautiful spark that relit her spirit. You didn’t just care for her, you saw past the frailty, the slow steps, and the medical charts. You saw her as we always did—radiant, witty, full of stories and sass, still hungry for connection, eager to laugh, to love, and to live. And you treated her that way every single day.
“You danced with her in the living room to her favorite oldies, her face lighting up with every beat. You cooked her favorite dishes, not just meals, but memories. You solved puzzles with her, painted by her side, and challenged her mind so gently, so kindly, that she didn’t even realize it was therapy. Mother used to say, ‘Randi brings so much sunshine into my life.’ To her it was friendship, fun, love. You didn’t just create activities, you created a sacred space where generations connected and where our mother felt central, loved, and alive. Randi, you were one of the greatest blessings in our mother’s life and in ours.”
Randi’s essence is carnival fun; she brings a carnival to someone’s house. It’s all wrapped up in a whirlwind of excitement: painting projects, card games, hysterical fun, and multiple activities tailored for each person. She sets up games and fun stations: golf, spike ball, basketball, oversized LEGOs, bowling matches, and more. Even those who struggle to move find themselves standing with support, laughing and playing. She creates whimsical playhouses, brings the joy of outdoor fun, and organizes lively bingo matches.
Randi’s Care is a movement, a call to ensure that our seniors are never forgotten. They are the pillars of our families and communities, and they deserve to be cherished.
“For so many, Randi is a lifeline, an advocate, and a trusted friend. Her mission is simple yet profound: to bring love, life, compassion, and dignity to every senior she touches. What we are doing at Randi’s Care is transformational work. It literally extends lives. And this kind of magic does not exist anywhere else.”
Thanks to this fundraiser, Randi’s Care can obtain a “Randi’s Care Van,” rent a storage space for all of Randi’s toys and equipment, and improve the quality of life for our seniors.
To support Randi’s Care, please go to randiscare.org. If you or someone you love is in need of Randi’s Care services, please call 718-880-7035.
Sarina Roffé, a genealogist and historian, is the author of Branching Out from Sepharad (Sephardic Heritage Project, 2017). She is researching a new book, Syrian Jewish Paths to Freedom. Sarina holds a BA in Journalism, an MA in Jewish Studies, and an MBA.
