Since my mother passed away in July, I have thought often about the care she received while a resident of Chris Ridge.  As you know, she became a resident in March 2011 after deciding that she could no longer live independently in her Scottsdale townhouse.  At the age of 88, she was an active, independent person but broke her wrist and could not perform many daily personal functions without assistance. 

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As with many senior individuals who are reluctant to give up their years of independence, she finally realized that she would benefit from the personal care and attention provided at a senior care home.  She chose Chris Ridge for a variety of reasons, and one of the important issues was the availability of services to assist her during her period of recuperation and acclimation.  Fortunately, Compassionate Home Care was the provider on site.

 

We retained the services of Compassionate Home Care for several hours a day to help my mother with her basic needs and to check in on her several times a day to ensure her safety.  What I thought would be routine visits turned out to be much, much more.  The women who assisted her, Jennifer, Jessica, and Kayla, were one of the major reasons my mother enjoyed her stay and thrived at Chris Ridge.  All three were highly responsible for performing their duties.  They helped my mother in the bathroom, made sure she received breakfast, dressed her in the mornings, and visited her during the day.  Certainly, those were the duties for which we were paying a modest rate.  

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The real value provided by Jennifer, Jessica and Kayla is that they kept her alive, both physically and emotionally.  They stood by while my mother received both occupational and physical therapy and followed up with regular reminders and assistance so my mother could get back her strength.  They drove her to doctors' appointments where I met them so I could be part of the health discussions.  When she took ill on a couple of occasions that required emergency hospitalization, one of the "girls" was present, made the decision to transport her, and accompanied her to the hospital.  They all followed up with visits, phone calls, and sincere concern.  One of the girls was present when my mother experienced a final serious health incident and contacted me immediately so I could meet them in the emergency room.  I know my mother would have died on each of these occasions if the girls had not been so quick to respond.  

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The girls were also invaluable in assisting my mother with her emotional health.  As you know, it is a difficult adjustment for someone who has been independent her entire life to move into a care home.  My mother would not have made that adjustment without the girls becoming part of her life.  When I visited, I always noticed that my mother was having fun with the girls~~looking at family pictures, comparing clothes, talking about the other residents, decorating the apartment, planning the next day's extracurricular activity, etc.  My mother did not have daughters or granddaughters and missed out on the bonding that occurs between women or different generations.  These girls became her granddaughters.  My mother met their children, listened to their family dynamics, female thoughts, and she sincerely loved each one.  

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The most touching aspect of their relationship was when all three girls attended my mother's funeral and memorial service.  This was time away from their families and duties with other residents, certainly not required or expected, but they took the time to pay their respects.

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There are many reasons why I am thankful for what Jennifer, Jessica, and Kayla and Compassionate Home Care did to make my mother's time at Chris Ridge as safe and pleasant as it was.  It is during this season of holidays for all of us that I want you to know how much I appreciated everything that was done for my mother.  I am hopeful that you and your staff can be of as much assistance and bring as much joy to the lives of the Chris Ridge residents as you did for my mother.  

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