Are you retired? Are you enjoying the so called Golden Years in good health? If your answer is yes to both of these Questions, Congratulations! Some of us are not so lucky.

Hello, my name is Lilo, and I'd like to tell you my story.

When my husband’s retirement years arrived he was diagnosed with Kidney Failure resulting to 9 years of Dialysis Treatment, something not easy to adjust. Heart surgery followed and I was the happiest person on earth when he survived. Then another shock hit when his right leg was amputated. The worse news was just around the corner, I was told by his Doctor: “Your husband is in the early stages of Alzheimer.”  I was told to find a suitable Nursing Home for him.

Never, after being married for 52 years to this wonderful, caring man would I do this to him – it wasn’t his wish. At the same time I realized I needed help. I had to find the strength and patience to look after him, give him the loving care he deserved and keep him in his familiar surroundings. I constantly felt stressed and anxious, and didn’t know where to turn for help.

Alzheimer is a very scary illness, the person you loved all your life, changes in front of you. Sometimes he insults you - you are deeply hurt, you cry, you try to understand his behaviours, but he doesn’t know he is hurting you.  He is very often confused to the point when he doesn’t remember what day it is or the name of long time friends.

As a caretaker, you turn to your friends and family for moral support. Of course they are sympathetic, but helpless in many cases - how can anybody fully understand what you go through?

Most of the time you are alone with your sorrows and there are times when you feel sorry for yourself and your life as you knew it seems to be over – no more happy moments.  With constant  doctors appointments and visits to the emergency department. you get to know many different doctors and nurses, although most of them fantastic and helpful in any way.

At the same time I realized I needed help as a caretaker and I was fortunate enough to find an experienced, caring and kind registered nurse in Dariana Paraschiv at Retire-At-Home. When she came into our life the light bulb went on, she made my husband smile, and we both enjoyed her visits and care very much. My husband’s health deteriorated and Dariana provided me with assistance around the clock, and after he died , she gave me a tremendous amount of moral support like nobody else was able to do.

When my husband died, I thanked God because he spared me the last stage of Alzheimer. I do not know how I would have survived this experience any longer - even a loving caregiver can only take so much! For anyone reading this who is experiencing you’re the same loss and pain as I felt – the love of your life going through this terrible illness - try hard to care for them to the end and don’t forget:  The sun will shine again tomorrow.  It has been ten years and I survived - you will too!

If you want to try the services of Retire-At-Home in Oakville and Burlington and would like to speak with me as a reference, please feel free to contact me any time.   Just contact Retire-At-Home for my information.

Sincerely,

Lilo

“Dariana, you are an exceptional person.  Your compassion, commitment and professionalism are second to none.  Your kind are few and far between in what I have experienced in the health care system.  It has been an eye-opening experience at the hospital.  Thank God there are shining lights such as yourself to dispel the darkness”.

Maria (Oakville) - August, 2009

 

“Their services are a godsend. Their kind and efficient caregivers have afforded my elderly parents a much greater quality of life, even allowing them to remain in their own home at the time their options were limited. Their professional services are particularly valuable for our family because none of us are close at hand.”

Sue (Michigan) - September, 2009

 

“The team at Retire-At-Home has given my sister and I, an invaluable gift. Mom is able to retain her independence and be in the comfort of her own home, as she wished during the challenging time of palliation thanks to the compassionate and expert support Aimee and Dariana provide. When we cannot be there, we are confident that mom’s personal and health needs are well served by the Retire-At Home staff. Thank you.”

Tara (Mississauga) - October, 2009

 

“Attn:  Next Health Team

Thank you very much for recommending the services of Retire-At-Home for my dad C R. 3 months ago when my Dad fell in his bathroom and fractured his hip, it was huge relief to discover the service of Dariana Paraschiv from Retire-At-Home.  After his operation we needed guidance, direction.   Her immediate interest and grasp of what was required for my father's recovery and her determination to provide honest and sincere caring services, gave my family and myself not only the relief that everything would be taken care of but that it was in very capable hands. It was about a person caring and having the knowledge and capability to back it up.  With her knowledge and experience she was able to provide my Dad with a program so he can recover at a time we were told the process will be very slow. Predicted months in the hospital of sleepless nights were reduced to 3 weeks of great and professional support. Today he is at home and to that is a job well done. Even after her services stopped she followed up and connected us with the appropriate resources.  I would recommend her to the entire world. For anyone who is in the wilderness when it comes to the elderly and their needs there is no better than Retire-At-Home and Dariana Paraschiv”.


Monica (Huntsville) – August, 2009