Meet Roida Christopher: COHME Home Health Aide

By Katerina Yang

Roida has been with COHME since 2018. Originally from Tanzania, East Africa, she moved to New York in 2002. Outside of her work, Roida enjoys spending time with her kids, often taking them swimming.

Let’s get to know a little more about Roida:

What inspired you to enter this field?

Initially, I was working as a babysitter, but one day I met someone who needed help caring for her parents. I decided to give it a try and started working as a private aide for them. I found it interesting to care for the elderly, as they often share such fascinating stories. At that time, I already had a certificate as a home health aide, though I hadn’t signed up with an agency yet. Through a connection from my babysitting job, I was introduced to COHME.

What’s it like working as a home health aide?

It’s incredibly joyful to work with older adults. Every person has a unique story, and I love listening to them and being there for them. My job is to help, support, and listen to their experiences. In the 99% of cases I’ve had, I’ve gotten along with my clients very well because they appreciate having someone around who genuinely wants to hear what they’ve been through.

What do you enjoy about working with older adults?

I like encouraging them to get up and engage in activities. I love hearing stories about their past, how they grew up, and how different their lives are now. Having those interesting conversations really motivates me. I also enjoy learning about how they would like their lives to be and respecting their space and privacy. Over time, they gradually opened up more.

What are some challenges you've faced?

Most challenges came from their family members and friends. In one of my past cases, my client had a friend, who was very demanding and had different expectations than my client. There were many times I wanted to quit my job. The reason I didn’t quit was because my clients asked me to stay and believed that I had a genuine interest in taking care of them. My agent also kindly asked me to stay because my clients liked me.

How have your career goals evolved?

I started as a babysitter and transitioned into being a home health aide, and now this is my long-term career. I really enjoy it. I’ve found that working with elderly people is something I truly love, and it’s the work I want to continue doing.

Has this work changed you?

I 've learned to put myself in their shoes. The way I treat them is the way I would want to be treated with kindness and love. Loneliness is a major issue. Most of them have family but they do not see them very often. We spend most of the day together from sunrise to sundown and I became like family to them.

How do you balance work and life?

I generally find a good work-life balance. The job is flexible, which is one of the reasons I chose it. Working with new clients can sometimes be challenging, but once you get to know them, it becomes smoother. I also don’t have to work all 12 hours in one go. There are shifts, and I get to choose the ones that work for me. If I’m ever sick or need time off, there’s always someone to take over my shift, so I don’t worry too much. That flexibility makes it easier to balance everything.

What’s been your biggest reward?

The greatest reward for me is seeing my clients recover, especially when they’re able to stand up again or overcome an illness. It’s fulfilling to start working with a client who is sick and unable to care for themselves, and then watch them regain their independence. This is my day-to-day motivation.