FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston’s Executive Director and Co-Owner, Wendy Adlerstein, LSW, recently presented at The Center at the Heights, the Needham Council on Aging’s senior center. Her program, “Living Well at Home and Beyond,” offered practical information for older adults and families who are considering home care options.
Wendy was joined by Deb Tishler, RN, Senior Living Advisor with Assisted Living Locators. Together, they discussed how families can make informed choices as care needs change—whether the goal is to remain safely at home or to explore other senior-living options.
Understanding Home Care
Wendy explained how personalized in-home care can support older adults with everyday activities, companionship, mobility, personal care, recovery after a hospitalization, dementia support, and respite for family caregivers.
A licensed social worker with nearly three decades of experience in elder services, Wendy leads FirstLight’s hands-on case-management model. Dedicated care coordinators manage each client relationship from start to finish, helping ensure communication is clear, care plans can be adjusted promptly, and services remain safe, dignified, and genuinely personal.
In addition to leading the FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston team, Wendy continues to conduct in-home assessments and develop individualized care plans. She collaborates closely with aging life care managers, hospital and rehabilitation discharge teams, and senior living communities to help clients and families navigate changing needs.
Wendy holds a B.A. in Psychology from Clark University and a Certificate in Gerontology from the Worcester Consortium Gerontology Program. She is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner and an active member of the Aging Life Care Association. Wendy holds a Massachusetts Licensed Social Worker license.
Questions From the Audience
The conversation included thoughtful questions from Needham residents and family members.
How Quickly Can Services Be Set Up?
FirstLight can often act quickly when a family’s circumstances change unexpectedly. In some situations, families call because a loved one needs help that same evening for an overnight shift, or because they are being discharged from a hospital or rehabilitation facility the next day.
When appropriate caregivers are available, FirstLight can mobilize quickly to help provide support when it is needed most. The process begins with understanding the individual’s needs, schedule, preferences, and home environment so that the care plan and caregiver match are as effective as possible.
How Does Home Care Work With Long-Term Care Insurance?
Every long-term care insurance policy is different, so it is important to understand the details of a specific policy, including its covered services, benefit amount, eligibility requirements, and whether it includes an elimination period.
Once a family understands its benefits, FirstLight can help simplify the administrative process. Clients can provide their long-term care policy information and claim number, and FirstLight will begin submitting weekly invoices to the insurance carrier. This helps clients document eligible care expenses as they work toward satisfying any elimination period and, when eligible, begin receiving reimbursement for covered services.
Families should also contact their insurance carrier directly to confirm the policy’s terms and reimbursement requirements.
A Meaningful Connection To Needham
Needham holds a special place in the FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston story. It is the hometown of the office’s President and Co-Owner, Steve Stern, who grew up in Needham and graduated from Needham High School with the Class of 1982.
FirstLight is proud to serve older adults, families, and professional partners throughout Needham and the surrounding MetroWest communities. Programs such as “Living Well at Home and Beyond” are part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to providing practical education, compassionate guidance, and trustworthy resources for local families.
Continuing The Conversation
Wendy will continue presenting to local Councils on Aging throughout the fall and winter of 2026. These programs give older adults and their families an opportunity to ask questions, better understand their options, and plan proactively for support at home and beyond.
To learn more about personalized home care services, schedule an in-home assessment, or invite Wendy to speak with your organization or community group, contact FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston at 781-559-0220.
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