May 17, 2015

 

Dear Family,

It is my privilege to recommend Tina Gordon to you as a caregiver for your family member in need of care.

After heart surgery in late 2010, my mother became a resident in the independent living section of Wesley Meadows Retirement Community in Hernando, MS. While my brother and I were touring the facility, our guide introduced us to Tina and explained that she assisted various residents there. Under the assumption we would need some help eventually, we got her contact information. Ultimately it was Tina’s assistance that allowed us to keep Mom in a facility near the Memphis area—since I am single and Mom’s only child in the area, she could only stay here if I had a reliable individual to call on for emergencies, transportation for doctors’ appointments, and various other things.

For the last four years, Tina has been that person and has done so much more. If I couldn’t be at an important doctor’s appointment, Tina not only transported Mom, but went in with her to be my eyes and ears. She would take notes, call to relay pertinent information to me, and proactively make follow up appointments at a time when she would be available to handle them.  Once, after Mom fell, hit her head and went to the Emergency Room at Baptist – DeSoto, I needed someone to spend the night with her on very short notice. Tina was not available but found another caregiver to stay with Mom until she could get there the next morning. For the last few months, Mom has needed additional assistance in showering, keeping fall hazards picked up from the floor, and generally, someone to “keep an eye on things” in her apartment. Tina stepped in and did all this and more, often under less than pleasant circumstances—Mom resented having the need for additional assistance and often took her resentment out on Tina.

During these last few months of trying times for our family, I have come to realize that caregiving is far more than Tina’s job—it is her ministry to those who need her care and to their families. She has responded to Mom’s ugly behavior with kindness and compassion and gone the extra mile to keep her from having to go to Assisted Living. The peace of mind it has given my brother and me to have Tina involved is invaluable. She has become far more than Mom’s caregiver. I consider her a friend.

Although Tina has my permission to post this letter of recommendation on her business website, I don’t want my contact information posted.  However, if you want to talk to me or have questions, Tina will give me your contact information and I would be glad to call or email you to provide additional information.

Sincerely,

 

Luanne Gillock