For those who know me now, through YELP, you don't know about most of my former lives (well, that's…read morea relief, in some respects!). In one of them, I was involved with the conception and development of an upscale assisted living residence, and became quite knowledgeable in the arenas of care planning, client advocacy, and all the components which comprise assisted living. This review is of a company (TLC Social Services), and is focused on its CEO and principle, PEARLINE THOMAS.
My cousin Edythe was hooked up with Pearline Thomas and TLC somehow - I'm not really sure, and for about 4 months, whenever I would speak with Edythe, she would say "I am seeing my social worker today", or "Pearline said I should do this, or that", and I would listen, and think "well, I really should meet this Pearline one day".
My initial encounters with Pearline was telephonically, when she introduced herself and explained what she was attempting to do for Edythe - and I learned, they were some of the very same things I as attempting to do.
Basic issues dealing with ADL (activities of Daily Living) for a 90 year old woman who, because of her exceedingly strong sense of independence, would engage in activities which placed her at risk. And what do I mean? Like getting on a city bus to go shopping, taking her walker with her, and pulling herself up the front steps of the bus, hoping that she would not fall down, walking around Publix, pushing the wagon, and buying just enough groceries that she could fit into the front of the walker, and taking the same City bus home to Kings Point. Or going to all of her endless medical appointments, using a van provided by Mae Volin Services, or relying on the not so good will of neighbors, as opposed to taking a taxi ("why should I pay $10 when I can go for free?"), or sometimes even WALKING to appointments. And of course, Edythe was exhausted almost everyday. Think how you would feel schlepping around Delray Beach, with a walker, in 90 degree heat and humidity, using public transportation, and dealing with the crazies out there?
I soon learned that Pearline was working her social-worker magic on Edythe, essentially counseling her that while she could remain at home, independent, but she really needed an aide to spend about 12 hours a week with her, on various days, to help her shop, go to medical appointments, and yes, even go to the movies and go out to eat lunch or dinner afterwards. Pearline was concerned, rightfully so, that Edythe would take a fall on one of those busses, fracture her hip, and that would be the start of her decline to a life of no independence at all.
I arranged to meet Pearline in person after numerous phone calls, and met a delightful Caribbean-nation woman, of mild temperament and patience of a saint (I guess saints are patient?). I grilled her on her pedigree, as I am known to do, learned she had her MSW from Barry University, her BS from FAU, and had been actively engaged in elder care assessments, benefits assistance, client advocacy, care planning, legal and financial coordination, for about 9 years. I was impressed, and I do not impress easily or lightly. Impressed not so much with credentials and degrees, as we can all acquire them, but with her genuine concern for Edythe, and her never-ending desire to steer Edythe into a safer lifestyle. She gave her a lot of time, not just the 45 minute meetings that were billable to Medicare, but endless phone conversations and consults, and she certainly engaged me telephonically on numerous occasions as she was driving from one appointment to the next.
Have an elderly relative in South Florida in need of an independent, caring, patient, knowledgeable, sensitive social worker? Consult with TLC Social Services, work with Pearline, and your life and life of your loved one will be that much richer. And then you can go out to dinners and lunches and Yelp all those pics of food and people being Yelpy, and share your life on-line, and maybe even show those pics to that 90 year old man or woman who will appreciate that you hooked them up with a social worker...