Dear Kevin,

This letter is long over-due and for that I apologize.  I want to thank you for all that you did in easing the last few months of my dad’s life and in providing necessary help to my step-mom. I appreciated your professional manner from the beginning. You returned calls promptly, asked thoughtful questions, and never put any pressure on us. You seemed to understand my dad’s need to be “ready” to accept outside help. At first, just as I suspected, my father refused to have any help in the house but wanted to hold onto your number, “just in case.”

Three months after I initially contacted you, my dad needed home-care services. At that point my dad was in the hospital and realized he would be unable to care for his ailing wife upon his release. You went out of your way to meet my dad and me at the hospital where parking was difficult. You listened to my father and his needs. As my father did various calculations to see what he felt he could afford, you waited patiently and treated him with respect, which he appreciated.

Although my father would be released on Thanksgiving Day, you were able to provide immediate help for him. You were kind enough to discuss the two possibilities you had and ask for his feedback.

Then on the day of his release you brought Paula, whom he had decided to employ, to his apartment. Although the time of release kept getting postponed, you took it in-stride. You and Paula became acquainted with the place and what my father wanted help with.

The next day Paula arrived on time and began straightening up without being asked. When my dad’s wife was brought home (from staying with her son), Paula immediately bonded with her. My step-mom had not done so with previous caregivers.

A month later my father was hospitalized again. Paula was asked to stay with my step-mom. At one point my step-mother, because of her dementia, forgot who Paula was and called the police. Kevin, you raced right over and helped straighten out the situation.

My father reported to me that you came over on a number of occasions to check on how things were going; he felt that was beyond your duty. You even shopped for some groceries for him on at least one occasion and pick up a prescription. Another time, you needed to handle a discrepancy between what my father wanted in the way of care and what my step-mother’s son had wanted. I thought you were realistic in what my father could provide and again respected his wishes for the wife he had been married to for almost 30 years.

On his second hospital visit in December, you went over to check on him and called me to report on what was going on. Nothing in the agreement had required you to make a call on my father at the hospital, nor to update me.

When my father died in January, you were at the apartment to check on things. You arranged for Paula to stay 24 hours and eventually arranged for a second caregiver to be there at night so Paula could have a break. You worked it out so there would be overlap and my step-mother would feel comfortable with the new caregiver.

You and Paula both attended the funeral, something you obviously did not need to do.  After my dad’s death, Paula continued to care for my step-mom. My step-brother wrote, “She thrived under her home health aide, Paula.”

I am very appreciative for all you’ve done. You have gone above and beyond what was required. Kevin, thank you very much. I’m very comfortable recommending you and Best Senior Home Care to others.

Sincerely,

A T (daughter of client)