Mission Statement
At Tucson Senior Services, we're dedicated to promoting independence and wellbeing among our senior community. Through personalized care and compassionate support, we strive to enhance the quality of life for seniors and their families, expanding access and improving the quality of senior care.
Our Goal
Our goal is to preserve independence, perpetuate peace of mind and improve the level of senior care in Tucson by connecting with seniors, prioritizing wellbeing, improving service delivery, and working with owners to elevate the level of facilities in our community.
Meet Our Co-Founder and CEO
Sam's journey began when she arrived in the United States as a refugee from Laos at the age of 5. Growing up in downtown Tucson, she faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture and longing to belong to a community. Inspired by childhood heroes like Wonder Woman and the characters from Sesame Street, Sam found solace in learning English and discovered her passion for helping others. Her path to caregiving took shape during her time at Amphi High School, where Sam had the opportunity to read to students with developmental disabilities. The warmth and acceptance she received from these students left an indelible mark on her heart, igniting a desire to make a difference in their lives.
In 1994, Sam's journey led her to Easter Seals, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Starting as a caregiver in a group home, she quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a manager and program coordinator. During her 23-year tenure at Easter Seals, Sam developed educational materials and oversaw the training department, showcasing her exceptional skills in leadership and innovation.
In 2017, Sam embarked on a new chapter in her career, joining Danville Services Corporation, a for-profit organization. There, she continued her work with individuals with developmental disabilities, making a lasting impact as the state director. Her ability to connect with and advocate for those in need was unparalleled.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented Sam with an opportunity for reflection and growth. Determined to expand her impact and serve a new demographic, she transitioned into the realm of senior care. Managing assisted living facilities in Tucson, Sam found immense fulfillment in ensuring the well-being of the elderly and providing peace of mind to their families. It was during this time that the seeds of Tucson Senior Services were sown.
With close to three decades of caregiving and training experience in Southern Arizona, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization. She possesses an Assisted Living Manager Certification and has been background checked and approved by the Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card. Additionally, she holds various certifications, including Assisted Living Manager Certification from the Arizona Board of Nursing Care Institution Administrators, Person Centered Planning Instructor from the Arizona Department of Economic Services/Sonoran UCCED, Principles of Caregiving Instructor from the Graham County Rehabilitation Center, and more.
Sam's commitment to making a difference extends beyond the confines of her professional life. She firmly believes in the power of philanthropy and has dedicated her time to serving on the program review committee for the Division of Developmental Disabilities for the State of Arizona.
At Tucson Senior Services, we are privileged to have Sam Bouttirath as our Co-Founder and CEO. Her passion for caregiving, unwavering dedication to those she serves, and commitment to excellence make her an exceptional leader. With her at the helm, we are confident in our ability to provide unparalleled support and care to seniors and their families.
Meet Our Co-Founder
Cecil Hopper has spent his career making memories for others, working for more than 25 years in the hospitality industry with a focus on luxury service and value creation. He said over the years, he listened to Sam talk about the care both people with disabilities and seniors were receiving and how there were so many similarities with the hospitality industry. In each instance, authentic connections, warmth, and personalization are what make an experience truly exceptional, yet in the senior care industry, these service pillars are completely absent.
“It comes down to economics. The staffing level required of facilities is 10 to 1. It does not matter if the facility is charging $12K a month or $3K and in each instance, delivering personalized care at that staffing level nearly impossible. We concepted concierge advocacy to address that obvious gap, created our own staffing solutions that prioritize service and identified a way to help facilities adopt the same level of obsession with exceptional care.”
There are some facilities which have solved this puzzle and are doing something exceptional. We have them in our network and help clients match their needs with these extraordinary homes. Our work at the facility level is to identify owners looking to elevate their product and to work with them to make it happen, all with the aim of improving the quality of life for seniors in our community.
Tucson Senior Services is not a small business, it is our passion project. Very rarely is one presented with the opportunity to see a problem in the community, identify a solution and then see the benefits of implementation. That’s exactly what is happening with Tucson Senior Services, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.
Cecil has a B.A. from New Mexico Sate University in Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Administration, an MBA and MS from Grand Canyon University and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree at the University of Southern California in Organizational Change Leadership.
Why Choose Tucson Senior Services?
Senior caregivers and assisted living facilities are often so overwhelmed and focused on the physical and medical needs of their clients, they can overlook the emotional and mental wellbeing of their patients.
Tucson Senior Services fills the gaps in care for our clients. We provide the individualized, non-medical care and services our clients need and deserve. By fulfilling the special needs of each client, we ensure the whole person is cared from the intellectual, emotional, and mental health perspectives as well as their physical wellbeing and safety.
With assistance and support from Tucson Senior Services, you or your loved one can live your best life!