Mimi Almonor, LNA, Honored for Transforming Lives Through Human Connection at Manchester-Area Senior Assisted Living Community
BEDFORD, N.H., March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Benchmark, the largest senior living provider in New England, today announced that Mimi Almonor, LNA, of Derry, N.H., lead aide at The Arbors of Bedford, a Benchmark Mind & Memory Care community for people with Alzheimer's, dementia and other memory impairments, has received the Benchmark 2024 Compassionate Caregiver Award, the company's highest honor.
At Benchmark's 22nd Annual Awards Gala held on March 13, 2025, Almonor was selected out of over 7,200 associates for best fulfilling the company's mission of meeting individuals where they are and connecting them to the people, passions and things that matter most to them. She was recognized by residents' family members and her fellow associates for providing excellent care for The Arbors' residents over the past 18 years and demonstrating an immense passion for caring for people.
"Dementia can be a very difficult disease for individuals to come to terms with and they often struggle to connect with their loved one," said Shannon Bernier, executive director of The Arbors of Bedford. "Mimi embraces everyone as family. She listens intently, communicates with residents in the way she knows is needed, and educates families to help them understand the disease and make their interactions with family members as meaningful as possible. Our families see the positive impact Mimi has on our residents, often under some of the most difficult circumstances. They gravitate to her because they respect and trust her expertise."
Each year, Benchmark asks their residents and families to nominate a caregiver to be honored. Over 400 nominations were submitted this year, including from Michelle Rosenthal, whose mother is a resident of The Arbors, and Allan Palmer, whose mother also lived at The Arbors.
"I was so impressed with Mimi and decided very quickly that The Arbors was the place for my mom," said Rosenthal. "Despite not being verbal for a while, there were moments when she would just say 'thank you' or even 'I love you" to Mimi. I know there is comfort in that for her as I know there is for me."
After experiencing a rocky road with dementia associated behaviors, the Palmers too found The Arbors and nervously moved their mom in. "Mimi made it happen right away, and it was just beautiful from there on out. Mimi was always taking care of her and they soon became the best of friends," said Allan Palmer.
Almonor has cared for people with memory loss professionally for over 20 years. As a child in Haiti, she cared for her mother and grandmother before their passing. After that, she took it upon herself to raise her sister and later dedicated her life to serving others. She sees her mother and grandmother in every resident she cares for.
"The compassion and care our associates exhibit daily is truly inspiring," said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark. "Our annual awards gala is a time when we all can come together to celebrate the incredible work that our associates do every day to transform lives through human connection. I couldn't be more proud of this year's winners and all they've accomplished."
Click here to learn more about Mimi Almonor and The Arbors of Bedford.
About Benchmark Senior Living
Benchmark is New England's largest senior living provider with 66 independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care communities and over 7,200 dedicated associates providing compassionate care and outstanding experiences throughout the Northeast. The Waltham, Mass.-based company was founded over 28 years ago by Tom Grape with the purpose of Transforming Lives Through Human Connection. Since then, Benchmark has continued to set the industry standard, having won over 300 hundred local, regional and national awards for its care, programs and as a top workplace. Benchmark has been named one of the Top Places to Work for 17 straight years in The Boston Globe's annual employee-based survey and received repeated recognition in FORTUNE's Best Workplaces for Aging Services list. In 2024, Benchmark communities received 62 U.S. News & World Report Best of Senior Living excellence awards based on resident and family feedback. For more information, visit BenchmarkSeniorLiving.com.
Media Contact
Carol Arnold, Benchmark Senior Living, 1 6035020469, [email protected], http://www.benchmarkseniorliving.com
SOURCE Benchmark Senior Living
Share this article