I talked with Right at Home when we first learned my Dad would need extra care if he was to stay at home as he wanted. I felt comfortable with what they had to offer but VA said they'd chosen another company and to switch would take time, so I didn't ask to switch. Let me tell you, I should have just taken the time up front and gone ahead and asked the VA to switch me to Right at Home. Things did NOT go well with that other company. I can't tell you how many days my dad had no caregiver...they just didn't show up. Didn't call, didn't show. The compay would say they were getting a substitute but never did. Or they'd show and be totally untrained. It was bad.
In desperation, I called the VA and asked them if I could please try Right at Home. She switched me over and from the moment the VA made the switch, that very same day Debbie from Right at Home came out to the house and met with me and Dad.
The difference was night and day. Right at Home assigned Shannon to be Dad's caregiver and Shannon was AWESOME! She had just the right tone and comfort level with my Dad. Professional yet friendly. We were never in any doubt that she was a skilled caregiver, but she wasn't so starched and formal that I felt like I couldn't relax in my own home. Shannon saw my Dad as a person, not a patient hooked up to a bunch of tubes. Dad had hearing loss and Shannon was good at looking to see if his hearing aids were in. When they were, she remembered to speak clearly and just loud enough so he could hear without bombarding him with sound. When he didn't, she didn't mind leaning close and speaking directly in his ear. She was thoughtful in many little ways like that.
Shannon was reliable, professional, and caring, and I can't imagine a better person to help me care for my father during his last months with us here. When Shannon couldn't be there, she made sure Right at Home knew, and they always found another caregiver to fill in, even though we're out in the country, not in a town. The other caregivers they sent were kind and helpful. There wasn't one that we wouldn't have back again, but I'm glad to say we rarely needed a fill-in because we had Shannon. My Dad visibly relaxed when Shannon walked in the room and Shannon and I were the last people he acknowledged before he died.
This was such a hard time in my life and there is no alone like the one in which your parent is slowly leaving you. My heart goes out to you if you're in that place, reading this review, wondering how you're going to make it through this. It's so hard. I'm so sorry for you.
All I can say is, nothing can make this better, but some things can make it worse. Going with a caregiving company that 100% has your back does make a big difference. Debbie, Candace, Francis, and everyone I ever talked to in the office were always efficient and compassionate with me. Shannon helped me keep the house clean without making me feel bad because I wasn't getting everything done myself. And she always had my Dad's welfare uppermost in her mind. I realized after a time that I didn't have to worry about leaving the house when she was there with Dad. That was a gift to me.
I recommend Right at Home without reservation. Take care, I hope you found this helpful, and I wish you all the best. read more
