Dina J.

Dina was employed by my family as a 24/7 companion/elder care provider for several months in the fall of 2014 for our 90-year-old mother with advanced dementia and limited mobility. Dina's human warmth and supportive attitude shown while working with my mother was truly commendable. Her work ethic and determination to follow through in helping my mother be physically clean, well-groomed, and lovingly cared for are praiseworthy. Dina prepared simple snacks and meals as needed, and maintained a clean, safe surrounding space for mom. I fully recommend Dina as a companion/caregiver.

- Richard G., Massachusetts

My mother will be 85 this year (2017). Her dementia began in 2010 and by 2011 it was clear she needed full-time care. Her stort-term memory is non-existent and she is very frail, thus cooking, self-care, and basic mobility are very limited. Basically, my mother is incapable of caring for herself in any way. She requires oxygen regularly and is on two medications to manage depression and anxiety. On top of her physical situation, she has an addictive personality that includes alcohol and cigarettes. While we've weaned her off cigarettes, she is firmly addicted to alcohol, and handling this with sensitivity is critical. With regard to my mother's physical capability, she requires assistance with every bodily function. She can become quite manic, that is, imbued with an excess of energy, or be very lethargic. Also, this year she has become increasingly incontinent. In short, she needs someone who can live with her full time to cook, adapt to her idiosyncratic needs, toilet her, shower her, make sure she is content with TV, movies, magazines, etc., move her from bed to wheelchair, to chair, to shower and so on. I've taken care of my mother full time for short periods and am well aware of the challenges. Dina has cared for my mother off and on for three years. Dina learned how to deal with my mom, keep her on a schedule, administer her medications, care for her physical and hygiene needs, and manage her various symptoms. Dina is not only competent with my mother's physical needs, but she has a great sense of humor and patience, and recognizes when she needs to be with mom, or to retreat. Dina is a hard worker, and very smart and capable. I have been living with my mother and with Dina for the past few months and thus I have an intimate knowledge of Dina's care of my mother. I whole-heartedly recommend her for any situation. The only reason she left is that my sister decided to care for our mom full time. If I had my way, Dina would be staying here with us.

- Cynthia B., New Mexico

Dina filled in for my father's regular live-in caregiver for two weeks at the end of December 2015. Dad was bedridden, incontinent and unable to feed himself. All of his food had to be blended or thickened. Dina dealt with these issues with care understanding and respect. My dad was in home hospice care and Dina interacted well with the hospice staff as well as with other visitors to the house. Lastly, Dina did a great job of housekeeping and keeping up with a large amount of laundry. This was in addition to the extreme amount of attention my dad required. In sum, Dina was very cooperative with Dad and me. She gave maximum effort under difficult circumstances and my overall experience with her was excellent.

- Jim M., Connecticut