Dear Signe:
I want to express my deep appreciation for your tender care for me and Jim in the last weeks of Jim's life. There are no words to fully express my thanks, but I would like to tell you a little of what is in my heart.
As you recall, Jim said that he did not want to speak with you when you first visited us. You walked into our apartment and pulled up a chair in front of Jim - holding the key to his heart. Your gentle way of opening the conversation was remarkable for me to watch. Before I knew it, Jim was sharing with you feelings that he had not shared with his own doctor. You knew how to use those words as a way to explore with Jim and me the two pathways that we could follow: pursuing further health care options or seeking the support of a hospice program and letting nature take its course.
In the midst of this very difficult conversation, you also helped Jim to understand the impact of his decisions and actions on me as wife and caregiver. You helped him to acknowledge and articulate, despite his reluctance to talk about his health and healthcare options, that he truly trusted me as being the person who loved him most deeply and would always be an advocate to make sure that the desires of his heart would be respected and followed.
During your first visit, Jim expressed his desire to pursue further healthcare options. However, it soon became clear to me that Jim was unable to follow through on that course of action. Because of the groundwork that you had laid, I was able to talk openly with him about this disconnect between word and action, and Jim finally was able to express the true desire of his heart, which was to seek hospice care and let nature take its course. I shall always cherish your gift to both of us in helping us to come to this very difficult decision.
You had encouraged us to start a hospice program sooner rather than later. Little did we know that Jim would only be alive for one week once he started hospice care - once he was given permission to go, he was able to lay down the valiant struggle to live and begin the valiant battle to die with dignity in his and God's own time and way.
Your very practical advice once we had made that decision was invaluable. You enabled us to very quickly go about getting the proper documents in order. As Jim and I talked through those difficult decisions, your words echoed in my mind - helping me to gently lead Jim down the path of his choice. Again, I shall always cherish the fact that Jim was able to complete the last steps of his journey on this earth in the manner of his own choosing. To be able to hold him in my arms in our own home as he died is a gift beyond measure.
I shall always remember the very respectful way that you ended your visit with Jim and me. You expressed how honored you felt to have been entrusted with these deeply personal feelings and decisions. When you left, Jim truly felt that he had finally talked with someone in the healthcare field that had listened to him and had heard the silent cries of his heart. I shall ever be grateful for your care and respect.
I also want to thank staff member, Marcia, for the kind and caring way that she communicated with me and passed on messages to you. From my first contact, she was gracious and reassuring.
Our daughter's wisdom in referring us to you was totally validated by the tenderness and care with which you responded. It is good to know that you are sharing such superb care with so many people at one of the most difficult times in their lives. You are a very special person, a person of integrity and genuine caring - a true gift to all you encounter. May God bless your work and those families who are fortunate enough to work with you.
With deep gratitude,
Carol
Dear Signe:
Thank you so much for the excellent care you gave my friend, Elizabeth. You were so kind to keep me informed and deliver messages from me when she could no longer talk on the phone. I know she was comforted when you prayed with her. My friend, Mark sent pictures of the graveside service you arranged and it was quite beautiful. I felt so much better knowing that you were there for Elizabeth when I could not be. Again, my heartfelt thanks.
Sincerely,
Claire
HBA
Hal Burke & Associates
Representing The Manufacturer
In Sales & Marketing
Strategic Planning ~New Business Development
Signe Gleeson
ElderCare Solutions, Inc.
15 South Wright Street
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 416-2140
Fax (630) 416-2177
Dear Signe,
It’s rare to have someone take the time and effort to provide such a detailed healthcare evaluation for my mother, Marian M. Burke. My family is taking your evaluations and recommendations as a guide for her long-term care. Difficult decisions were made easier with your guidance. Your meeting with the Manor Care skilled care personnel about my mother’s healthcare was professional and very informative.
My family is very appreciative of your kindness in helping us during this very difficult time. Your compassion for our feelings and concerns was sincerely appreciated.
Please feel free to use us as a reference for you wonderful service.
Sincerely,
Hal Burke
237 Carlisle Avenue
Westmont, Illinois 60559
Phone: 708-387-7779 Fax: 630-515-9087
Email: hbarep@attbi.com
ElderCare Solutions
15 South Wright St.
Naperville, IL 60540
To Whom It May Concern:
The family of Thomas DesLauriers would like to take this opportunity to thank-you for all your efforts on behalf of out father. As you know this has been a very difficult time for all of us and without your help and expertise “very difficult” would have rapidly deteriorated to “impossible to deal with.”
Your ability to see, anticipate and deal with all that was involved in settling our father in his own home and helping provide the 24 hour care that he now needs has been invaluable. Whether it was knowing the right contacts to call, advice to make or even rolling up your sleeves and pitching in, you were always there for us. We are so very grateful to you.
We know that in your type of work, prospective clients will ask for references. Towards that end, you may of course use this letter. If any of those clients would wish to speak to us concerning our experience with you, feel free to contact one of us with their name and phone number and we would be happy to comply.
Once again, thank-you so much for you assistance and we remain very sincerely yours,
Jane Hartop, Tom DesLauriers, George DesLauriers
222 Woodward
Road
Media, PA 19063-4231
(610)565-4995
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my pleasure to write this letter of reference for ElderCare Solutions, Inc. of Naperville, Illinois. We have worked primarily with Signe Gleeson for almost two years.
Signe has provided invaluable assistance for my 86 year old mother who resides in Lisle. None of my siblings live within easy distance of my mother, who has preferred to continue living where she grew up near her friends and acquaintances. My mother has suffered from a number of medical conditions, which have at times been quite serious. Signe, with her vast knowledge of the medical community and her excellent relationships with many doctors and hospitals, has been enormously important in helping my mother during times of medical emergency as well as for normal medical maintenance. I do not believe that I or my siblings could have provided the quality of assistance to my mother that Signe has been able to during these times, even if we lived close by.
My mother’s medical conditions have also impaired her ability, at times, to physically care for herself and to deal wither her own finances. Signe has very ably provided my mother with help in making decisions about personal care assistance, and has helped her to stay on top of her financial affairs. Signe checks in with my mother regularly to make sure her needs are being taken care of, to make sure that her bills are being paid, to see how her medical condition is progressing, and to make sure she is getting the appropriate medical care and treatment and that her doctors know exactly what her condition is. During times of emergency, Signe has done an outstanding job of dealing in a professional manner with whatever situation arises.
In her interactions with my mother, Signe is sweet and caring, but very observant and firm about matters of health and welfare. My mother loves her, which is very important. Signe communicates clearly and regularly with me and my siblings about the condition of my mother. She has demonstrated such competence and integrity over the years that we have all come to trust her implicitly. Because of Signe and ElderCare Solutions, my mother has been able to maintain a relatively independent life, still living in her own place.
I refer ElderCare Solutions and, in particular, Signe Gleeson, without reservation and with the strongest possible commendation. There are not enough good things to say about them.
Carl T. Finkbeiner
Signe Gleeson first came into our lives, and that of Alice, on December 20, 2004. She was referred to us by Stephanie Lucas, a social worker. Because we live a good distance from Chicago, and because of the deteriorating situation in Alice’s problems that were occurring, and also to keep us informed of Alice’s physical condition.
WE cannot give enough praise as to her competency in all dealings she had with Alice, and us. Because of her degree as an RN, Signe was able to accurately observe and evaluate reports on Alice’s health. Signe is a compassionate, caring person, which comes through to the individuals with whom she works. She faces issues head-on, with great tactfulness. She went beyond mere physical care, trying to encourage Alice to reach out to the world around her through audio books, participation in group activities, etc. When an urgent issue arose, Signe always found time to give it immediate attention.
During the two years that Signe helped us, we were always completely satisfied with the work she did for Alice and for us. We could recommend her, without any reservations, to anyone needing assistance in caring for their elder person.
Les & Sue Hill