Visiting Angels of West Springfield is pleased to announce our two Caregivers of the Month for December 2019

Paula & Rebecca! Our Caregiver of the month for January 2020 is Anne. These caregivers received a special “Thank You” from the management team at Visiting Angels for going above and beyond caring for their clients’ in the month of December and January. The role of an Angel requires a lot of eldercare knowledge, attention to details, and sharp thinking. However, the most important quality in an Angel is a deep sense of compassion for the people they care for.

Paula recognized and connected with this quality when she joined our team a few months ago. Shortly after Paula became an Angel, she went to the home of a client who wasn’t eating properly or taking her anxiety medication. The client did not receive visits very often from her loved ones as her daughter lives across the country. Paula paid short visits to the client a few times a week (a service known as “Angel Calls”). However, Paula’s compassion for her client went above and beyond what was necessary for the job. Paula began visiting the client on days that she was not scheduled to visit—voluntarily and without compensation. She checked on the client’s well-being and even brought her homemade food. When a large snowstorm came, the client did not have any way of removing the snow and ice from her house and driveway. This posed an immediate safety risk to the client. Paula leapt into action and called the local Fire Department. She asked them to remove the snow from the client’s home. The fire department came and cleared the snow, and a potential safety crisis was averted. A month later, the client went to the hospital for a health concern. Paula voluntarily visited her every day in the hospital until she recovered. The client’s daughter heard about how Paula’s care was helping to improve the client’s life. As a result, the client’s daughter decided that Paula should visit her loved one every day. Paula’s acts of kindness helped her client live a more fulfilling life. This compassion is a mark of an exemplary Angel.

Rebecca has been an exceptional caregiver in the nine years that she has been on our team. One of Rebecca’s extraordinary qualities is her keen attention to detail. Recently, she was caring for a client that had mobility issues and a history of blood clotting. She noticed a discolored spot on the client’s leg that was raised and hot to the touch. When she checked the spot again later, she noticed that it had moved further up the client’s leg. Rebecca realized that this was a blood clot “hotspot.” The clot was traveling up the leg towards the heart. If the clot reached the heart, the situation could become incredibly dangerous or even fatal for the client. Rebecca immediately alerted the Visiting Angels office, and the family was notified. The client went to the emergency room and was treated for the clot. The client recovered and is now back at home. Rebecca’s attentiveness and quick actions likely saved the client’s life. She truly cared for her client and went above and beyond to make sure that the elder was happy and healthy. Rebecca possesses a perfect combination of skill and compassion and is an exceptional Angel.

Anne has been on the Visiting Angels team for almost nine years. In her years of service to the elderly, Anne has shown selfless love and compassion for the people she cares for. Anne shared a special connection with one of her first clients at Visiting Angels. In the six years that she cared for the elder, Anne performed many acts of love and went above and beyond what was expected of her. She brought the client food, made sure that she was healthy, and gave her massages. She was a true companion to her client, especially demonstrated by the quiet moments in which they read or prayed together. After the client passed away, Anne went on to demonstrate the same level of compassion for other elders. She brings them food or cooks with them at their home. She brings her clients to run errands or get a haircut. She cares for their emotional well-being and calms them when they are anxious. She even surprises them with special little treats or flowers. Anne demonstrates an incredible level of patience and love for her clients. Her motherly compassion has brightened the lives of many elders.

We are proud to share the compassion and care Visiting Angels’ Caregivers continue to provide every day. Our December 2019 & January 2020 standouts are just a few examples of our well-trained and thoughtful Caregivers. If you want to learn more about our Caregivers of the Month, or want to learn more about services provided, contact the Visiting Angels of West Springfield office at (413)733-6900 for more information!