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Meet the Founder

Photo of Meriatrics founder, Emma Donnelly
Emma Donnelly

As the founder and manager of Meriatrics LLC, I'm passionate about promoting and advancing the social needs of older adults, with whom I've long enjoyed a warm and rewarding rapport.  

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I grew up in Massachusetts and have been a resident of NH for the last 18 years. From 1979-2012, I was a flight attendant for United Airlines, the flexibility of which afforded many other pursuits. 

 

Over the years, I've provided extensive care, companionship, support and end-of-life care for older adults, as well as elementary educational support services (including SPED) at public schools in MA and NH. 

 

In 2008, I created "The Reminder Book", a self-help resource designed to comfort and reassure older adults in transition due to mild memory loss, relocations, health challenges, etc. 

   

In my spare time, I've served as a volunteer in various capacities:

 

  • Church parish, OLMM, Hampton NH, Outreach Program correspondence

  • Exeter Hospital, Exeter, NH, Ambassador/ER support for Patient Relations 

  • Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused/neglected children (Merrimack Valley, MA)

  • Citizens' advocate and candidate for mayor (Methuen, MA) 

 

For fun, I enjoy the beach, fitness, travel, writing, cooking, dancing, golf and all Boston sports.

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Thanks for visiting! 

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With warm regards, 

Emma

Founder's Message

Founder's Message

Human connection is a golden thread woven through the tapestry of our lives. No matter our age, we are social beings. And our quality of life (as we all learned during pandemic quarantining) is largely dependent on connecting and sharing with others. 

 

Yet, when it comes to older adults, there's often a culture of indifference, whether due to ageism, insensitivity or a lack of understanding as to conditions that negatively impact older adults' social-emotional well-being. Consider the following: 

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  • Social deficits for older adults usually result from conditions outside of their control, such as the death of a spouse, failing health, reduced mobility, loss of a driver's license, etc. ​

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  • Living independently does not guarantee social engagement.

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  • In-home care and support programs tend to combine services (i.e. personal care, medical treatment, housekeeping, meal preparation, errands, etc.), often limiting time for quality one-on-one social engagement with clients. 

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  • Long-term care programs provide group socialization and activity, but may not have the staffing or funding to address specific individual needs. ​

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  • Families and friends may be unable to provide the desired level of social support, due to busy schedules, competing responsibilities, reduced proximity, etc.

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It's our pleasure to help! Please call on us anytime at 603.396.0426.  

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