Sally K.

Sally took care of our mother for almost three years (February 2018-December 2020) until she passed. We originally hired Sally to work as an hourly aide from 7 am to 10 pm, but after mom fell and had a hip replacement, we asked Sally to live with her 24/7. She accepted without hesitation. Our mother was fiercely independent, stubborn, and resistant to care, but she and Sally developed a close relationship. Not only did Sally care for our mother but she also cared for me and my siblings. Sally has a warm heart and has a calling to be a caregiver. I feel like it's what she was born to do. When our mother was in rehab after she broke her hip, Sally never left her side and the staff noticed how good Sally was and mentioned it to me. Sally made sure mom ate and did her physical therapy and she encouraged mom to exercise. We don't think she would have left there alive if it wasn't for Sally. The last six months of my mother's life were extremely difficult. She was rushed to the hospital on her 91st birthday and they were not sure she would survive. Eventually they recommended hospice. My mother wanted to be at home and Sally agreed, so we ordered a hospital bed, reclining chair, and a Hoyer lift. Mom was also unable to swallow and required a feeding tube. Sally learned from the nurse at the hospital everything she needed. She never took a break because mom did not want anybody else caring for her. Sally allowed my mother to die with dignity. Afterwards, Sally stayed with us for three months. Mom had been in her house for 60 years. Sally helped us clean it out and sort through all her belongings and prepare it for sale. Sally is angel.

- Lori H., New Jersey

My mother suffered from severe depression and anxiety, and was unable to live on her own. Sally was her caregiver for a year from the end of 2020 through December 2021. She had been highly recommended and she started out working during the day, and then lived with mom 24/7 for a while, and then tapered off to hourly again as mom got better. My mother was physically able to do all of her activities of daily living, but she didn't want to do anything besides stay in bed. Sally was her companion and cheerleader and I recommend her highly. She got to know mom well and knew when mom really needed to rest, and when she needed more encouragement to get out of bed. I gave her permission to use tough love and sometimes she did, but in general, she and mom got along pretty well. Sally was responsible for medication reminders and laundry, and she cooked for mom. She drove my mother's car to do errands and got her outside for walks as often as possible. I know Sally worked hard to foster mom's independence and I found her to be very professional, respectful, responsive, and reliable. She reached out to me when it was appropriate, but didn't bug me. She had a keen sense of understanding the situation and I always knew my mother was in good hands. Sally did a great job.

- Ellen K., New Jersey