Our President, David Gross received this beautiful testimonial letter recently from a grateful family member (identifying names have been abbreviated to protect their privacy):
Dear Mr. Gross:
First, I would like to express the deep gratitude that I feel for your consistent effort in keeping us all informed of the day to day status with respect to the pandemic and its effect on Regency-Somerset residents and staff. This has been an extremely trying time for us all. The compassion that you and your staff have demonstrated is noticed and appreciated.
But, I would like to talk to you about one particular employee, Mirian L. Ms. L has been a godsend for my mother, Manuela, and for our family. Mom suffered a debilitating stroke, almost ten years ago, which left her unable to walk, and with little ability to use her hands and arms. Thankfully, her speech came back, and her memory was unscathed. My Dad, Manuel, who was also a resident at Regency-Somerset, and shared a room with Mom, passed away a few years ago at the age of 101 years. We were saddened by his passing, and believed that our loss would be broadened, fearing that Mom would soon follow him to Heaven. However, almost three years later, Mom is still alive and strong. I attribute her continued good health to the care of the Regency-Somerset staff but most importantly to Ms. L.
As Mom’s Aide, Ms. L cares for Mom like a grateful and devoted daughter. In fact, Mom says that she has four daughters, Jennie, Millie, Me, and Mirian (Ms. L). She feeds her, changes her, converses with her in Spanish, and helps Mom cope with the loneliness and isolation the quarantine has made necessary.
Early in the pandemic, when Regency-Somerset decided to lock-down the facility, I spoke with Ms. L. She told me that some colleagues were not reporting to work, and that she could not and would not stop coming to work. She asked me in a voice riddled with pain and grief, what would happen to the residents she cared for if she stopped coming into work? She told me that even though she had two young children at home, and a husband that begged her to quit her job, she could not because of the moral imperative of caring for her residents, including, Mom. She asked, “Norma, what will happen if we all quit? What would happen to all the people I take care of? I can’t quit.” When the call ended, I too was choked with emotion, knowing the huge personal risk that her decision posed for herself and her loved ones; and the immense relief that I felt knowing that while Ms. L reported to work, Mom would be okay.
In addition to Ms. L, there are other staff members that have been wonderful to Mom. Nurse Sara has also been an outstanding asset; a person I can always rely on to communicate my concerns to Dr. Fred Glatter. In fact, Ms. L and Nurse Sara make a fine Team together; their individual skills-set complement each other’s work very well.
The compassion and love shown by Ms. L is invaluable. Although, if I could put a value on it I would say it is worth so much more than whatever compensation she receives, as she doesn’t view what she does as work but rather as a vocation.
I am happy that we seem to be turning the corner, although, the end of the road of this pandemic is still far away. I hope that you will place this letter in Ms. L’ personnel file, and that she receive some recognition for the superb job and dedication she has demonstrated to Mom and others during an unprecedented crisis for many of us.
Thank you.
Stay safe and healthy,
Norma
Daughter of Manuel and Manuela
