Siza C.

Siza was my mother’s 24/7 live-in caregiver from June to September 2017 and again in February and March 2018. While it was not easy to attend to all the needs of a 96-year-old and, additionally, adjust to an extended family whose members were present a good deal of the time, Siza did so in a singularly cheerful fashion. Extremely pleasant and personable, Siza’s easygoing disposition made my mom happy and comfortable. Her caregiving skills were gentle, reassuring, and professional, and her confidence was contagious. Initially, my mom was quite ill and had to contend with a very restrictive diet coupled with personal needs which were challenging at times. Mom had taken an antibiotic which decimated all the flora in her stomach (which was already compromised by her age). The gastroenterologist specialist had her on a lactose-free diet. Siza rose to the challenge with alacrity and good humor. She was not only exceedingly patient with my mom (we are Italian so food is a big pleasure!) but also very helpful. I do not doubt that Siza’s presence and caregiving allowed my mom to regain confidence and contentment. Together they re-entered life outside my mom’s home and became great pals. Though I live out of state, I communicated with Siza regularly. One of my brothers was at mom's home multiple times each day and my sister and I travelled to stay with mom often. Our family will always be grateful to Siza. We trusted her with the most important member of our family and never for a moment questioned her personal and professional integrity. Without reservation, I highly recommend Siza.

- Gay C., New Hampshire

CeeCee, the nickname we used for Siza, worked as a live-in caregiver for my mother from October 2016 until her passing in February 2017. Mom was not an easy person to care for or live with. CeeCee has the patience of a saint. Her job was all encompassing -- cooking, light housework (and she always did extra), laundry, grocery shopping, and taking mom to all appointments, i.e. doctors, hair, nails, church, and bingo. CeeCee made friends with all the ladies at the center. CeeCee was able to get mom to do her daily physical therapy and that was not an easy feat. She's kind and she always treated mom with respect. In the beginning, mom was resentful of needing a caregiver, but soon, she was introducing her as "my friend CeeCee -- she helps me at my house." CeeCee was more than a caregiver. She celebrated holidays with us and was with us when mom died, but she also was aware of boundaries. Mom had four children with different personalities, and CeeCee dealt with each one of us in the way we needed to be dealt with. She truly is one in a million. Thanks for giving her another opportunity to help and bring relief to a family in need. Trust is hard when it comes to a love one. With CeeCee this came easy.

- Lori H., Connecticut