CALIFORNIA REGION

Caregiver of the Year ’10 – Tracy Duran (Huntington Beach, CA office)

When Tracy Duran came into our lives our world had turned upside down. My husband Jim had been in intensive care for too many days and was finally returning home and we needed help. The good Lord must have been watching over us because He sent us Tracy. From the day she arrived she became a part of our family. I wasn’t sure what a “caregiver” would do but I knew we needed someone to help us. Tracy arrived and just wrapped us in her love and has taken care of us ever since. It has been over a year and I am having trouble thinking of the one thing that stands out so I need to talk about so many things she has done for us.

There have been so many times when I needed someone just to talk with about the struggles Jim was having and how I could help him – and Tracy was there for those discussions. She arrives at 8:30 most days and brings such a flood of sunshine and cheer into our home that it makes every day a better day. She has worked with Jim to help him become stronger, she has assisted in arranging for special equipment for his care, she has found suppliers for the special foods and drinks he needed, and she has made life work for us. Read more.

SOUTHEAST REGION

Jen Ragan (Tampa, FL office)

Jen, as I will call Jennifer Ragan, has been my caregiver for almost 2 years. I have been able to see Jen in every situation in my home and situations in her life. Jen is one of these rare persons that does not let the world around her influence her attitude at work. Jen has that old fashion work ethic that is so rare these days. She does her job and beyond, and if it takes longer then her regular hours she works until the job is done, and done to her specification (which are very high).

Along with this extraordinary work ethic, she is one of the most compassionate persons I have ever met. Jen seems to be able to sense every need before I even know I am going to need it. She not only is able to help with the physical needs she also is able to help with the emotional needs. Read more.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION

Cherryl Descheda (Florissant, MO office)

To Brightstar home care,

My husband and I had recently taken ill and were in need of an in home care nurse. We were truly blessed with Cherryl Descheda. She came to us and took care of our medicine, my husband’s diabetes, and helped me when I fractured my shoulder. Not only was Cheryl our nurse for a short period of time, she cleaned my home, ran errands for us, and was a true joy in every way to have around.

She came for two hours every day, and twice a week she would stay for four hours. Cheryl seemed to go out of her way in every aspect. Although she doesn’t live far from our home, she would come even beyond the call of duty. When I was in need of assistance one late night, she dropped what she was doing at home and came to help me. This may not seem like a huge deal, but it meant a lot to me and my husband. She seemed to bail me out every time I needed her help! Read more.

NORTHEAST REGION

Harold Metellus (Stroudsburg, PA office)

I believe the BrightStar family had come to appreciate my husband’s humor. Harold’s patience and humor was such an asset during my husband’s last two months as he took the time to sit and talk with him. Joe always enjoyed sharing stories about his days on the road as a truck driver and Harold gave him full attention. He must have earned my husband’s respect as Harold was able to encourage him to be lifted into the shower, sit outside, and even be lifted into our truck to take a couple rides to visit friends and family. Without Harold’s help I know these events never would have happened. Read more.

 

 

 

MIDWEST REGION

Jeanne Marcinek (Racine, WI office)

I received a letter from my local BrightStar Agency regarding nominating a caregiver for special recognition. I was going to do this directly to the agency without being prompted by this letter anyway, so the timing for this is perfect.

My name is Tom Ferraro and I live in Texas. I have worked closely with the BrightStar team in Racine, WI to provide daily in home visits to my elderly mother who is in the mid stages of Dementia. I can’t express in any letter what this quality service has meant to my mom and I. Specifically, the caregiver that has worked almost exclusively with us is Jeanne Marcinek. Jeanne is extremely responsive to my mom’s needs and goes well beyond my expectations on a daily basis. Read more.