Family
Caregivers
Hall of Fame

Throughout 61 years of marriage, Clare Bensusan has been a loving and caring partner for her husband Al.

Al and Clare Bensusan love sailing, having spent countless time cruising along the East Coast and the Carribean in their sail boat from their home state of Rhode Island.

After retirement, their on-land time has been dedicated to active participation in the Brown (University) Learning Community for Retirees.

Between Al's work as a mechanical engineer and Clare's work in the Phi Beta Kappa office at Brown University, the two raised a son and daughter.

Their seafaring came to an end only when Al was diagnosed with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

As Al's illnesses progressed, Clare remained at his side. Her caring and concern for him never wavered; not when they moved to an assisted-living center, and certainly not now that Al is in a nursing home.

Described as an "avid exerciser," Clare makes sure Al gets the physical movement he needs, spending every day at his side, determined to maintain and improve his physical conditioning, range of motion, nourishment and cleanliness.

Without her constant attention, her cueing to achieve independence in self feeding and some wheelchair mobility, their is little doubt that Al would be in a significantly decreased state of wellness today.

Clare was nominated to the Caregivers Hall of Fame by her son Rick Bensusan, Vice Principal, Nathaniel Middle Green School, Providence, RI, and daughter, Leslie Paine, Manager, Markstein Cancer Education and Prevention Center, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Oakland, CA.