Exceptional Caregivers, Remarkable Client service.
TRUE SUCCESS STORIES FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY
JULY, 2024 – ANTOINETTE T.
We are so fortunate to have employed Antoinette T., a resident of the Germantown section of Philadelphia, since 2009 (over 15 years now!). She is one of our longest-tenured, veteran caregivers, and is highly sought after for overnight shifts. Antoinette is a Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.), and can handle any level of care needed by our clients. She has a special gift for hospice cases, because of her obvious skillset, but also because her calm demeanor and friendly personality immediately put our clients and their family members at ease. She is also quite gifted with dementia care for the same reasons.
For the past 8 months, Antoinette has been regularly working overnights with an 80-year-old client, Joan, who lives in a memory care unit in Eastern Montgomery County. Prior to her move to memory care, we offered services in Joan’s home. A super gentle touch is needed with Joan, since she is also deaf, so can be easily startled or agitated if approached in the wrong way. Antoinette assures Joan is safe and calm at night, and accompanies her to the bathroom for any assistance needed. They have become close friends over the long period of time she has been with Joan. According to her daughter, Kay, “Antoinette has been amazing with my mom since she’s started with us. She has a special connection with mom that puts her at ease, and that makes us feel at ease! She is always so detailed with her notes, which has been instrumental in our discussions with mom’s physicians.” We are so thankful to have Antoinette assigned to be mom’s caregiver.
Eileen Edling, Client Care Coordinator for Home Helpers, offered the following: “Antoinette is often requested by families after just one visit. Her gentle, spiritual demeanor is very calming and soothing to both clients and family members. She is an exceptional communicator to both family and staff at Home Helpers, and she treats every client as if they are her own family.”
Antoinette, when presented with the award, was humbled by the recognition, and the gift. She stated that she is so “very grateful for her work family,” and could not believe that 15 years has passed since she started with us. The work of helping others is her passion, and every shift she seeks to represent Home Helpers in the finest light. She said, “With love and respect, I accept this award.”
Congratulations, Antoinette, on this well-deserved honor!
JUNE, 2024 – ELNORA B.
Elnora B. has been a live-in caregiver for Home Helpers for just under 2 years now. Originally from Liberia, Africa, Elnora has a wealth of stories about her childhood and growing up in a dangerous country, so she is thrilled to be in America! She was referred to Home Helpers by another live-in employee. She is a spiritual woman who has a passion for singing, especially with her clients. She treats her clients as beloved family members, just as she would want to be treated someday. Elnora has her certification as a Home Health Aide (HHA), and is deeply-skilled. Therefore, she can be involved in any case, male or female. Additionally, she has a special gift for handling clients with dementia.
We are highlighting her current client, 90-year old Delores, who is able to live in her single family home in eastern Montgomery County because of Elnora. Delores has been a client of Home Helpers for over 7 years. Elnora has been living with Delores for just over a year now, and it is a match made in heaven. Elnora herself comments how blessed she is to have found such a wonderful opportunity to work in this home, with this family, and plans to stay on this assignment for the long term. We surprised Elnora with the award, and she was overjoyed with emotion. Home Helpers’ staff joining Frank Esterle, co-owner, for the honor was field support nurse Eileen Edling, RN, and Marissa Mohammed, live-in care coordinator. Additionally, son, S, and daughter S, joined us in the home, and the other daughter, K, joined by facetime, because they are all so grateful that their mom is aging in place, receiving such top-notch care in her own home. They agreed that one-on-one care from Elnora far exceeds what Delores would receive in a community.
Daughter S, took the lead in summarizing her thoughts in a beautiful letter: “Having Elnora live with and care for my mother has been wonderful. Elnora has been a perfect addition to my mom’s team. As you know, my mother has had dementia for quite a few years and every so often, we can see the disease progressing. Elnora arrived when mom was taking another downturn. That mental decline, along with her diminished physical capacity, made her a bit of a challenge for any caregiver. Elnora jumped right in! My siblings, and I have watched Elnora care for my mom. She is certainly beyond capable of performing all of the duties my mom needs to live and remain healthy, but she does it every day – all day with a smile, and unrelenting determination and LOVE! Knowing she is there beings all of us great peace of mind. Every family member probably thinks that no one cares for their loved one better than they would, but we have that gift in Elnora and we are all very grateful that God has placed her in our family – she is FAMILY now.
Specifically, Elnora’s passion for what she has chosen to do with her life is what brings me peace of mind. Being a caregiver, especially a LIVE-IN caregiver, takes a special person. You are 24/7 and that is a huge responsibility. Elnora makes it look easy, when we all know that it is not. She treats my mom, like her own mom. Whatever she is doing, there is love and respect wrapped around it, like a warm blanket.
My mom, with her dementia, finds it hard to express herself in words. But we can all see it in her smile! When Elnora speaks to her, she listens and mom smiles a lot when they are together. The meals that Elnora lovingly provides are not only nutritious, they are presented just as beautifully as any 5 star restaurant. Mom likes her meals and she smiles at those too!!” The family thanked Home Helpers profusely for the gift of having Elnora in their mom’s home, keeping her company, entertained and safe.
The daughter continued… “I hope you have more wonderful employees just like her (we do). I hope you are bringing to other families what you have allowed us to have – skilled and loyal caregivers, caregivers with patience, empathy, compassion, integrity. My mom certainly misses my father’s humor. Elnora’s humor is a great comfort to mom, not having dad around to kid with her. We are so pleased that you are honoring such a great, worthy, lady!!”
After this was read, Elnora broke into song, and there was not a dry eye in the living room! Thank you Elnora, for being a gift to Home Helpers as well. You are an excellent employee in every way, and a gifted communicator all around! Congratulations!
MAY, 2024 – ASHLEY W.
Ashley W. is a resident of Upper Montgomery County, and has been in our employment for over 4 years now. Ashley is deeply-skilled and can handle most clients we request of her. Because of the demands of a special needs family member in her care, early on in her employment, Ashley was only available to us for a few days a week in the mornings. She cared for a 95+ year old World War 2 veteran for many years during that time, and was like a daughter to him! As her family member became more stable, Ashley made herself available 5 days a week, for longer periods of time, and we have maxed out her availability! She has proven week in and out that she will delight every client she meets, and deliver above-and-beyond service with little to no direction or supervision.
We are highlighting a relationship Ashley has developed with one of her current clients, 96-year old CT, in Central Montgomery County. Ashley initiated care with CT in March, and has been with him since, now twice a week for am care. With the assistance of Home Helpers Home Care, Mr. CT is able to engage with the community and participate in events, remaining in his personal care unit. We provide standby assist for key personal care activities and make sure he is clean and ready for the day.
BT, our client’s son, simply adores Ashley. He says that “my Dad is in a CCRC, 600 miles away, and the staff simply doesn’t have time to keep me updated. I knew Home Helpers’ nurse, Bernadette Roman from her time there as an administrator, and have a high level of confidence in her. Since she joined HH, it seemed like an easy decision to get a higher level of care through twice-weekly visits from a private duty agency. Now, I get updated on my Dad’s overall wellbeing with each call to Ashley after every shift. Ashely is caring and understanding, very patient with my dad, and keeps me informed about his progress and any issues. This brings me extreme peace of mind. BT jokes that his dad’s memory is poor, but he definitely knows when Ashley is the caregiver working with him, as he calls her that “nice girl!”
Bernadette agreed that Ashley is the perfect fit for CT, and is thrilled to have her on many of her cases. “Ashley is a great communicator, and every client appreciates her “above and beyond” approach to each shift, and wants more time with her.”
APRIL, 2024 – COLLEEN M.
Colleen M, a resident of Central Montgomery County, is Home Helpers’ longest-tenured caregiver. She began her service with Home Helpers in May 2008, so she is approaching her 16th anniversary! Colleen brought valuable previous caregiving experience to Home Helpers through her years of employment as a certified nursing assistant in group homes and retirement communities. She quickly established herself as a very flexible and reliable employee, and became known to our schedulers as the “short shift specialist.” “I love the diversity of my job when I can make an impact on several clients in one day,” she says. Her dedication to our clients is second to none. Once assigned to a client, she entrenches herself in the home and becomes their true advocate. During one stretch, Colleen served a client for nearly 12 years, becoming like a daughter to him. Colleen has a special talent for handling our most critical clients, especially those living with ALS disease. She brings a unique skillset and passion to these delicate situations, and has been the primary caregiver for dozens of our clients afflicted with this disease. Colleen states that she loves this career because of the simple rewards she receives every day. “The smiles I experience every time I arrive to a shift, and the thank you’s I receive at the end of the shift warm my heart. She learns something from every client, and grows personally as a result, she says. “What job could be better than this?”
One of Colleen’s current clients, DC, who we have served for about one year, lives in Lansdale with his wife in an independent living unit of a CCRC. DC is veteran (life-long Coast Guard), in his mid-80s, and receives services from Home Helpers via our contract with the Veterans Administration. Colleen was involved in his care from the beginning, and has delighted DC’s wife, Nancy, as she now has 2 days of respite to herself. DC suffers with cognitive impairment, yet is still quite active physically, so Colleen’s presence is a breath of fresh air for Nancy who gets freedom, 8 hours a week, to handle her personal errands. Nancy was filled with praise for Colleen. “She is consistent, reliable, timely, full of tips for DC’s care, professional, hard-working and always cheerful. I have no concerns leaving her alone with DC because I trust her deeply. DC chimed in that “she has a great sense of humor, which is necessary to deal with me!” Nancy wanted to acknowledge Home Helpers’ office staff for always being there for her, being accommodating and flexible, and referenced the time when she needed care for herself after a surgery. She turned to Frank Esterle, co-owner, and stated that we were a blessing to her and that “Home Helpers does the work of the Lord!”
MARCH, 2024 – DEBBIE K.
Debbie K. originally joined Home Helpers as a caregiver in the Summer of 2011, so she is quickly approaching her 13th anniversary with our agency. Debbie, a resident of Upper Montgomery County, is often referred to as the mayor of Peter Becker Community, because of the dozens of clients she has worked with there over the years due to our preferred provider agreement. We believe that Debbie has had the pleasure of serving nearly 100 clients of Home Helpers during her tenure here. She has the perfect personality for this role, and is natural caregiver. Her maturity makes her a perfect match for our clients, who feel that she can relate to them. Without a doubt, when Debbie is on a case, her clients are thrilled as they are comforted by her approach, personality and experience. We are highlighting a special client of Debbie’s, LM, who Debbie has worked with since August 2020, nearly 4 years now.
LM lives in an independent apartment in a CCRC, and is able to do so because of Home Helpers. She suffers with extreme anxiety, and our staff works tirelessly to put her mind at ease. Son, Scott, is so delighted to have Debbie as a lead caregiver for his mom. “Debbie has always been quick to reach out with suggestions to help improve mom’s care, or let us know if she needs anything. I think she goes the extra mile to try and have a conversation with my mother to make sure that everything is there rather than just sit there and wait for my mother to express a need. She encourages my mother to engage in conversation rather than just sit on the couch. Mom is very explicit about wanting Debbie to do certain things because she knows that Debbie does things the way she likes. My mother isn’t the easiest person to deal with, and somehow, Debbie seems to be able to comfort her when she is having a really rough time, and calm her down. Debbie and I have conversed on her off hours which has been a help to me because I am not always available when she is with my mother. She has always been willing to have a conversation to make sure that my mother’s needs are being met.” I so am impressed with her proactivity on the job. “One example is when mom complained about a podiatrist, she found a new one for her!” Scott is very complimentary about Home Helpers’ office staff, and especially complimented our staffing coordinator, Kathy, who is always “kind and courteous and very responsive to any request I have.”
Nurse and Care Coordinator, Bernadette Roman, states simply that “Deb is an anchor in several cases and we are so fortunate to have her on our team.”
FEBRUARY, 2024 – JACKIE S.
Jackie S., originally joined Home Helpers as a caregiver in the Fall of 2016, so she is another of our veteran employees. Jackie, a resident of Central Montgomery County, is committed to service excellence with every client she serves, and there have been dozens over the years. Jackie is a natural caregiver with deep experience, and she understands the importance of routine, timeliness, communication and developing deep relationships with clients and their families. Jackie’s bar is “above and beyond service,” so of course our clients love her. We are highlighting a special client Jackie works with every weekday and alternating weekends, 94-year old Mary Anne S., who lives in North Wales with her daughter, Ellen, and dog, “Cubbie.”
Mary Anne has memory impairment and struggles with short term memory, so she needs constant supervision and support with all ADLs to function safely in the home. She needs queuing and contact guard when using her walker in the home. Home Helpers actually began service with Mary Anne nearly 5 years ago, just a couple of days a week, when she lived in her apartment alone. Jackie was the first caregiver assigned and the bond was immediate. She actually calls her “Ma.”
According to Ellen, “Mom is alive today because of Jackie, and her attention to detail is the reason Mom moved into my home when she did. Jackie is more familiar with Mom’s care needs than I, and she is her biggest advocate when she is in need of medical care, such as her recent hospitalization, where Jackie was a constant presence, directing the staff! Jackie meets mom where she is every day, and works to stimulate her memory and enrich her days.” She is a fabulous cook, and has introduced Mary Anne to Puerto Rican cuisine. “I love it all, says Mary Anne!” Ellen states that she has complete confidence when Jackie is in the home caring for mom. She admitted she was spoiled when Jackie has done temporary live-in assignments when Ellen was away on trips. “I am blown away by her generosity with her time and flexibility. She is such an honest and trustworthy human being.”
Ellen had some compliments to share as well about our office staff, especially Kathy, her scheduler, and the after-hours service that communicates so effectively should someone be running late. “Simply outstanding.” Last, she wanted to emphasize that she is also thrilled with her weekend caregiver, Veronica, too. “Home Helpers has blessed us with a great team, which will enable Mom to live here indefinitely.”
FEBRUARY, 2024 – SANDEE L AND LINDA L
Sandee L, a resident Central Montgomery County, joined Home Helpers in 2017. At the time, she had little direct care experience, but was eager to learn. In fact, she took it upon herself to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.) since she began her employment with Home Helpers. With this certification, Sandy is highly-skilled, and can therefore take on our highest acuity clients. Sandee was selected for the Exceptional Caregiver Award not only for her years of proven dedication to Home Helpers and reliability with our clients, but also for the exceptional work she is doing currently for a married couple in Lansdale, Stephen and Patty. Sandee works three 12-hour day shifts with this 24/7 client, and also has another client on Mondays.
Joining Sandee with recognition as an Exceptional Caregiver is Linda L, also from Central Montgomery County. Linda is a newcomer to Home Helpers, having joined in August of 2023, also with little paid direct care experience. Her knowledge and comfort with care for others came from working with relatives and friends. Linda quickly assumed a large workload with our clients, including every weekend with Stephen and Patty beginning in her first month of employment. She immediately hit it off with this couple, especially Patty who is memory-impaired. Linda speaks French, which is Patty’s native language, and that is a huge relationship builder given Patty’s cognitive impairment, and a great joy for Stephen, who sees his wife smiling again.
Home Helpers initiated care with Stephen and Patty two years ago, when Stephen was discharged from a rehab center after a hospitalization for a significant surgery. We began with 24.7 coverage and continue to this day. Both are a high fall risk, and one has gone onto hospice care since Home Helpers started. This is one of our most acute cases, further complicated because of the 2-person care. Son, J, is thrilled with Home Helpers, as summarized in his thoughts, below:
“Having caregivers there 24/7 for my parents has given me great peace of mind. I was thinking of moving them to an assisted living facility, but they really wanted to stay in their house, and Home Helpers’ caregivers have allowed them to do that. They can age in place, and I know they are in good hands! I nominated Sandee because she knows my parents and their house inside and out. She is easy to talk to, and carries on good conversations with my dad, which can require great patience. I have always found her helpful and very calm when I see her interacting with them both. Last month we had flooding in the basement, and she helped assess the damage and assist my dad in getting a repairman to come by. We love her! My parents feel very comfortable when Sandee is with them, and they view her as a member of the family. As for Linda, she is so kind! My mom speaks French and Linda is fluent as well, so they enjoy chatting in French. Mom has Alzheimer’s, and I think it’s good for her to engage in another language to keep her brain active, so it’s great that she has someone to do that with. Linda is also very patient and understanding about my parents’ needs and preferences. She always greets me with a kind smile, and she was very helpful a few months ago when my dad had a bad bout of confusion. My dad says they love Linda’s friendly attitude, and appreciate how patient she is with mom during meals (she must be fed, slowly). She is always willing to go the extra mile to make them a bit more comfortable. I am very grateful to Home Helpers for all the help they have given my parents over the last two years. There is no way they could have stayed in their home without the caregivers they now have, and the flexibility they provide to assure coverage with their on-call caregivers. I’ve gotten to know many of them on a personal level, and it’s nice to see the connections they form with my parents. Not sure where we would be without Home Helpers and their professional caregivers! Stephen commented during the presentation that it was impressive to see an owner acknowledging high-performing staff.
Although we have highlighted two daytime caregivers on this team, it is critical to note that the overnight staff has been an integral part of the care team keeping our clients safe at night. They are consistent, committed and timely, which makes such continuous coverage possible.
JANUARY, 2024 – SANDRA H
Sandra H, a resident of Central Bucks County, has been an hourly Caregiver for Home Helpers Home Care since April of 2017. Prior to joining Home Helpers, Sandra did not have experience with adult care recipients, since her only prior relevant experience was as a nursery school teacher. She was, however, willing to learn! She became a natural with all of the training from our nurses, and easily adapted to the care our clients required. Sandra was born in Glasgow Scotland. Our clients not only adore her personality, maturity and confidence, they appreciate her accent when she walks through their door. We are highlighting the particular impact she has had on one client, Matt, in lower Montgomery County. Matt suffers with cognitive impairment and has very limited mobility. He is what we would consider our highest level of care, and is largely bedbound (requires a Hoyer lift for transfers). He has been on and off of hospice service for years. Sandra has been with, and stabilized this same client for four days a week, including every Sunday, for about three and one-half years and running! When Sandra started seeing Matt, she had no experience working with his very challenging needs. She also had to win over a very involved and concerned wife. Sandra approached this case with a positive attitude and persevered through the ups and downs. She has seen Matt be admitted and discharged from two hospice providers. She has been there during several Covid exposures. She has given up holidays and personal time with her own family to ensure that Matt and Suzanne have the care they need. All of us can all attest that due to Sandra’s amazing care, Suzanne can fulfill Matt’s wishes to remain in his home.
Says Sandra, “Taking on this career after teaching children was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I have gotten a deeper perspective on the struggles people can experience in life, and witness the strain and stress of care demands on family caretakers. Home Helpers has given me a better appreciation of how my role can make someone’s life a little better each day I am there.” It is my honor to care for Matt and give his wife peace of mind.”
Suzanne proudly described Sandra as “the epitome of what a true caregiver should be: caring; devoted; patient; compassionate; professional; and above all, empathetic. Because Sandra is so dependable and competent with Matt’s difficult care, I have peace of mind to be able to leave the house so I can attend to my own appointments and errands. She cares for him as good as I would, if not better! Matt does not speak much anymore due to his condition, but he definitely knows when a person is kind to him. Sandra’s sense of humor often elicits smiles and gentle gestures of appreciation from Matt, and on occasion, a positive word! Sandra is part of our family.”
Congratulations, Sandra, and thank you Matt and Suzanne, for allowing Home Helpers Home Care to be your care provider all these years.
DECEMBER, 2023 – MARION S, MARIBEL G
Marion S, a resident of Central Montgomery County, began her caregiving career with Home Helpers Home Care nearly 10 years ago, in January 2014. Inevitably, the many clients Marion has had the pleasure to serve over the past decade, have raved about her quality of care, reliability and maturity in the role. On larger cases, she has been the primary caregiver because our clients seek to maximize her availability to them. Such is the case with her current husband and wife clients, Sarah and James, where Marion works three long day shifts per week. Sharing the case with Marion on weekdays is Maribel G, another tenured veteran of Home Helpers (10.5 years with the agency). Maribel, also a resident of Central Montgomery County, brought deep experience to our agency prior to joining us. She is among our most highly-skilled caregivers, capable of handling the most acute care needs of our clients. Just like Marion, Maribel is highly sought after, and our clients are thrilled when Maribel is very involved in their care. Maribel and Marion have been the primary support team for Sarah and James for nearly 2 years now! The care team has seen James and Sarah through many health scares, including hospitalizations and rehab stays. Their consistent and attentive care has truly allowed Jim and Sarah to return home after each event, and age in place in their lovely home in Central Montgomery County, where they have lived for decades and wish to remain.
Says son, Jim, “Marion and Maribel have been wonderful caregivers over the past years with my parents. They have allowed them to comfortably live in their home and maintain an independent lifestyle, which has always been their goal. Marion and Maribel have become trusted home care providers, who give my entire family a strong sense of security and safety regarding our parents. With Home Helpers, we know they are being well cared for by professional staff. Also, the support and communication we receive from the office and the field support staff (nurses) is outstanding. We are so grateful for the services of Home Helpers, and recommend them highly.”
Pictured below are Maribel on the left, Marion on the right, and Sarah and James in the center.
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