Our Story

Elder Roots was originally created as My Personal Assistant, a professional organizing and personal assistant business. When Sarah Oinonen, Elder Roots founder, noticed that her aging clients had specific needs that weren’t being met, she began to fill in the gaps. She supported clients with seasonal home upkeep, tax preparation, and accompanying them to doctors appointments. With these added supports, Sarah’s clients realized they were able to remain in their own homes and community.

With Sarah’s extensive experience in elder care and her natural ability to problem-solve, she transitioned the services she offered and rebranded the business to focus on working with Elders who chose to age in place, renaming it Elder Roots. It was a natural and rewarding fit for Sarah, her employees, and the clients she served.

Elder Roots strives to continue our education and expertise for the well-being of our clients. We understand that the world is changing, and our understanding of Elder care is forever growing. Our team is dedicated to evolving with the changing times.

Sarah Oinonen in Carlisle, Massachusetts

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About Sarah Oinonen

About Sarah

Sarah embodies a lifelong commitment to honoring the wisdom of Elders. From her earliest memories, Sarah found solace and inspiration in the stories and experiences shared by the Elders in her life. Their ability to impart timeless lessons and remain present in each moment left an indelible mark on her.

With a mother who dedicated her life to service, Sarah’s upbringing was modeled on compassion and caregiving. Accompanying her mother, a nurse who managed Long Term Care facilities as a Director of Nursing, Sarah witnessed the challenges Elders faced living in long-term care facilities—the loss of independence and autonomy, often replaced by feelings of boredom and neglect. It was her mother’s commitment to restoring dignity to the lives of her patients that ignited Sarah’s own passion for making a difference.

With nearly 30 years of experience supporting and collaborating with aging adults, Sarah brings a deep understanding and commitment to elder issues. Her journey began as a Personal Care Attendant, PCA, providing invaluable support to individuals at home, offering personalized care and companionship. Throughout her career, she has acquired a diverse range of professional skills and certifications, including Eden Alternative Associate training and Alzheimer’s Association Training and Certification. She also coordinated volunteer Elders, volunteered for Oldie's for Elders, which partners young people with nursing home residents for dancing and socialization, and incorporates art-related activities into her work, drawing from her educational background in Sociology with specializations in Social Justice and Studio Art (BA, Simmons University, Boston). Her career has been a testament to her unwavering commitment to ensuring that every individual receives the highest standard of care.

Sarah is committed to giving back to her community through her professional knowledge and volunteering efforts. She has participated in academic medical settings, including speaking at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Grand Rounds in Boston and having her work published in academic journals. For more than 15 years, Sarah has served as a guest educator at Harvard Medical School, working directly with medical students in discussions on mental health. She also currently volunteers as a Special Education advocate for students and their families. In the past, she trained court-appointed advocates for foster children and completed training as a Certified Volunteer with Battered Women’s Resources. Her extensive experience in volunteer coordination, leadership, and financial administration has allowed her to advocate effectively for her clients across various areas. Sarah is a homeowner in the Concord-Carlisle area.