ElderHouse Executive Director Denise Cesareo has announced that she will retire at the end of the year. Ms. Cesareo has led the Norwalk-based nonprofit organization which provides services to older adults and their family caregivers since 1992.
Photo from ElderHouse
Denise Cesareo, executive director of ElderHouse in Norwalk since 1992, will be stepping down at the end of the year.
“Denise brought a unique combination of vision, charisma and tenacity to her work from which ElderHouse has benefited greatly over the years. She will be greatly missed by staff, clients, the Board of Directors and community partners,” said Charles Carroll, Board President.
ElderHouse is an adult day center that provides older adults with full days of social engagement, enjoyable activities and personal attention to enhance health and wellbeing. While seniors are at ElderHouse, family caregivers benefit from reliable, affordable, high-quality care for their loved one and a respite from their caregiving duties.
During her tenure, ElderHouse became one of the first adult day centers in the state to be certified, and was one of the top providers of ADA transportation for the elderly and disabled in the Norwalk area.
The organization doubled its square footage for client activities, and grew its service area to include Norwalk, Wilton, Westport, Weston, Darien, New Cannan and Stamford.
Under Ms. Cesareo’s directorship, the organization raised the profile of Adult Day Services on a statewide level as Commissioner – CT Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, President – CT Association of Adult Day Services, Member-CT Home Care Advisory Committee of the Dept of Social Services, and Member- Long Term Care Advisory Council Commission on Aging.
Locally, as a leader in the field of elder care, Ms. Cesareo served as President of the Norwalk Senior Services Co-ordinating Council, an advisory board member for Southwestern CT Agency on Aging and Founding Board Member of the Marvin Under One Roof in Norwalk. ElderHouse has earned a National Merit Award, Silver Source Outstanding Organization Contribution to Community Award and was the first not-for-profit to be recognized for a small business award by the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce.
“The first time I walked into ElderHouse, I heard seniors laughing and singing. I knew it was a happy place. Over the past 30 years, I wanted to make sure that it always stayed a happy and welcoming place for seniors. It has been a great honor to serve this community.”
The ElderHouse Board of Directors will conduct a search to identify a new Executive Director, with a goal of finding someone who can match Ms. Cesareo’s passion for improving the lives of our most needy individuals, and her leadership ability, management skills and drive to deliver on ElderHouse’s mission.
To learn more about ElderHouse, or to inquire about the position, please send inquiries to info@elderhouse.org or call 203-847-1998.