KUDOS from Kelly

by Kelly McNamara

Ingrid Philips and Ruth Ann Foster: During this season of giving thanks and counting blessings, we certainty include our caregivers among ours. We often fill this space, a regular feature in our newsletter, with our own thoughts, impressions and yes, gratitude for the special, unique attention a caregiver, a pair or even a group of caregivers providers to a client. We note the progress their clients have made with their enthusiastic encouragement, the comfort they provide as clients decline, the special impact they have on a client’s family and friends.

But this month we honor a team of live-in caregivers whose unique set of skills, compassion, insightful care and special devotion to their beloved client was beautifully noted by the client’s daughter.

R.D. has been our client for a year, she is a truly remarkable person. Now in her 90’s, with no evidence of cognitive decline, she is simply delightful. A prolific reader, patron of the arts, opera fan, history buff, this extraordinary brilliant woman can discuss any topic at length, delighting her visitors and caregivers. She rarely misses a yoga, exercise or art class, and is very appreciative of the wide variety of interesting fulfilling activities at Seabury. It is no surprise that her daughter inherited her grace, charm, and gift of gratitude. SD, the client’s daughter first expressed surprise that she was able to speak with our company’s owner on a weekend evening (business as usual for us). Possessing her mothers graceful use of words, she describes the loving, attentive care RD receives from her caregivers. Ingrid, her weekday person is described as simply delightful, an expert in her client’s condition, able to take quick action when she appeared to need help. Searching for a word to describe Ingrid she simply said, “She is like an angel” She is indeed. RD’s weekend aide Ruth, the younger of the pair, received equally lovely praise. Her “special way” of touching her mother’s forehead to help reduce anxiety, her wonderful instincts about just what her mother needed before she verbalized those requests. A young caregiver with insight and empathy well beyond her years. Perhaps the highest praise from RD’s daughter was her appreciation of the abilities of these two amazing caregivers to work together so well as a team. Their communication with each other and family members, their comprehensive care notes, easily understood and appreciated by visiting family members, smooth hand offs from weekend to week day…All noticed and appreciated by her daughter. Praise for our company, with our unique approach of caring for the client and the family, genuine appreciation of the gifts of our caregivers; these are very special rewards for all of us.

Many, many thanks to our amazing caregiver team of Ingrid and Ruth. And our sincere wishes for a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving to RD and her delightful family!

All caregivers mentioned in this column will receive a bonus and our sincere gratitude! Many many thanks to all of you for once again extending yourselves to ensure that we are of course Always There…!! ■