William Diamond

Companion Caregiver, Live-in

Semi-retired former sports agent for professional athletes whose been volunteering performing charitable work the past several years. Including but not limited to; mentoring high school student-athlete with their college and financial aid application process. My second career has become serving as an Executive Companion after my mother, a young 85 was no longer able to drive and was diagnosed with the very early stages of Alzheimer's and wanted to remain independent.  We traveled and became best friends as she lived life to the fullest.

My experience as an Executive Companion date back to April of 2010 when one day while taking a ride with my mother Marilyn to the mall, I noticed her driving instincts and depth perception weren’t as sharp as they used to be. After discussing my observations with our family physician and my mother, we visited a Geriatric Psychiatrist who performed some tests. He concluded she had the very early stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and since my father had passed away 9 years earlier, she had now become lonely and depressed. He stated that in his opinion, it would be in her best to no longer drive. That news was extremely upsetting to her, to say the least. She had always been very independent since my father had passed away, living alone in the house. A few weeks later she fell in her house and called me, and I in turn had to call 911. A week later, I moved in with her and became her Executive Companion. 

It was the best gift I ever gave her. She was rejuvenated as a person and glowing over the fact she had someone to spend time to have conversations with, cook and clean for, take her shopping, all without having the pressure about transportation not only during the day (she hadn’t driven at night for a few years) but now she could attend events at night she had been craving the past few years. Her friends, my aunts and cousins were amazed how enthusiastic she had become since I had moved in. 

Mom kept her same daily routine, was able to handle her own personal hygiene requirements, insisted on still cooking for me and herself, cleaned the house and did the laundry. She remained active in her various charitable and social activities. I just became her driver. I began to pay the bills, reconciled her bank statements, repair items around the house, when necessary, schedule all her appointments for doctors, hair and nails, managed her medication. If she needed help around the house, she asked but she rarely did. I offered to make some changes I the bathroom and around the house to make it safer and easier to communicate and she welcomed the suggestions. I use the work “Executive” because I’m a master of handling administrative tasks.

She insisted on remaining independent despite the fact she couldn’t drive; she always knew I was on call whenever she needed me. We attended Broadway shows, dined out at least three times a week, traveled to both Florida and California for a week to visit our relatives, making all the special logistical arrangements to make life easier for her during the trip. She became my best friend and we laughed together every single day. 

I remained her Executive Companion for two years and her friends became jealous of her because she was living like a queen. I had a girlfriend and a nice social life while serving as high school basketball scout, and she felt happy, safe, and secure with the adjustments. After two years when mom’s physical health began to decline, she had to move into Assisted Living.

However, not too much had changed except now I became a secondary caregiver. Visiting 3-5 times a week and speaking with her on the phone every day, we just considered it a change of scenery. We still went shopping, out to eat; I scheduled her appointments, and she still was active with her charitable and social events when she felt well enough to go outside, and I took care of all her business affairs. 

My friends were amazed how I was able to balance my personal life and take care of her at the same time, but it wasn’t a job to me, it was something I loved doing. They used to ask me “how did you learn how to do this or that,” and I used to respond, “you just do it.” Having a Companion and a purpose in life is what became the most important thing to her and since we both had a great sense of humor, there was always something to laugh about whenever we were together. Even if we were playing bingo, singing to old songs, or eating up all the baskets of bread at the Cheesecake Factory.

After mom passed away a friend from college approached me about taking care of his mom and the idea intrigued me. It was a very similar situation; he made a generous offer and I agreed. And loved it. Then she required more caregiving and medical attention and moved into a nursing home. Then I was approached by another longtime friend who had recently began a job in San Diego and was looking to bring his aunt from New York out to live near him. He asked if I would take her for at least a year and then assist him in screening and hiring a full-time caregiver to take over which I did. 

The timing of returning to New Jersey couldn’t have been better. I began to be a volunteer high school basketball coach when I returned and a friend, I attended high school with spoke to me about his mom living alone. A few months later the Coronavirus began. He begged me to move in with her as his job was going to force him to travel during he pandemic and needed to know she would be safe, calm and have everything she needed. I accepted his offer and Mr. Anderson can tell you in his own words the numerous miracles I created to keep his mother happy while I worked for him. Once things calmed down, Mr. Anderson’s daughter moved in to live with her.

Most recently I began working as a Building Based Substitute Teacher for a school, grades K-8, all subjects, including working as a Substitute Paraprofessional with students who have Autism. I’ve found this some of the most rewarding work of my life.

Studies have shown loneliness shortens the lifespans of senior citizens s and accelerates mental health diseases. My affable personality coupled with my bubbly sense of humor are intangible assets which can’t be taught because they’re innate. Every client I’ve worked for has required different levels of service. We’ve worked together to formulate a plan which incorporated my strengths as well as areas which I required some extra health.

If you’re looking for a special person who will appreciate having stimulated and joyful conversations, can adapt to anyone’s daily or weekly routine and is proactive and always looking ways to create a positive atmosphere, then you’ve finally found the perfect match. 

As a former sports agent and business manager for professional athletes and celebrities, I know what it’s like to be flexible and on call 24/7/365. That’s why my reputations as an Executive Companion and in my former profession, are impeccable. 

• I will complete my sixty (60) classroom hours towards being a Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) by April 22, 2022. I’m only seeking a full-time, Live-in position with a client whose goal is maintaining their independence but now needs someone to serve in a support capacity in their daily routine and lifestyle. A vibrant companion with a good sense of humor who now requires a driver, outstanding conversationalist and might even enjoy cooking for their companion. Someone who wants to feel young again and have fun! Salary is negotiable. I’m open to relocating and my schedule is very flexible including weekends and holidays. Salary is negotiable.

WORK EXPERIENCE                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Building-Based Substitute Teacher/Paraprofessional                             1/2022 – present

Victor Mravlag School

Elizabeth, New Jersey 

Executive Companion

Betty Anderson (son, Reginald) (Live-In/Live-Out)                           2/2019 – 12/2021

Vauxhall, New Jersey

Doris Rencher (son, Terrence) (Live-In)                                            8/2017 – 12/2019

San Diego, California

Lydia Schulz (son, John) (Live-In)                                                       9/2015 – 7/2017

Summit, New Jersey

Diamond Sumner Group, LLC                                                              8/1991 – 6/2015

Co-Owner

Business Manager for professional athletes and entertainers

Union, New Jersey

VOLUNTEER WORK

American Express: UStrive Online Mentor, College Application Program; selected by American Express to nationally virtually mentor high school seniors assisting with their college and financial aid application process. 

New Jersey Cares: Server in soup kitchens; sorter of clothes in shelter of battered women; mentor in the nationally acclaimed Lights On Program at West Side High School

EDUCATION

American University – BA Criminal Justice

Washington, DC

UDC David A. Clarke School of Law (formerly Antioch School of Law) – Juris Doctor

Washington DC

• Notes 

CPR/AED Certified (Red Cross); December 2021

Vaccinated with 2 Boosters (Moderna)

TB Test Negative; December 2021

Criminal Background Check Certified;December 2021

New Jersey Driving Record; No Points w/auto and insurance

References available upon request

I graduated from American University and attended UDC Michael A. Clarke School of Law (formerly Antioch School of Law) in Washington, DC as well.