Testimonials

Even more than who we are and what we say is what we do. The true measure of the services that we provide is that we met and exceeded the expectations of those in our care and their families. Nestled deep within each unique client story is all that our caregivers are making possible – more flexibility, more security, more hope. And while we could just tell you about the kind of work we do, there is nobody better able to speak to the kind of care that BrightStar provides than those we serve on a daily basis.

At BrightStar of Lake Forest, which now provides our caregiver, I do not have to choose between care and consistency. I get to have both! BrightStar requires both, and does everything possible to make it happen. My mother was glum for a while. “I want my old caregiver back,” she said. I appreciated her loss and fears, then reminded her of what had happened. Amazingly, she actually remembered the caregiver poking her and perhaps felt trapped as I had. I am ultimately the person responsible for my mother’s well-being. I was brave enough to make that change. Now, my mother loves Carlie. She treats my mother as the precious human being she is, and leaves re-organizing my kitchen to me.

~ E. Hyland

On her first day, she went straight into the family room where Mother usually sat, as if she knew where Mother was. She talked about the walker, reviewed routines, and confirmed the tasks in the care plan. I was so impressed with her ability to just jump in and “do” things. She worked with Mother on memory, sometimes in simple ways, like reading her the newspaper, discussing it with her, but also asking questions about what she read. She looks forward to Ms. Marie’s visits. They take walks together, enjoy the sunshine, and laugh a lot. Of course, Mother’s health maintenance includes exercise, but if you ask her, she’s just having fun with her friend.

~ B. Sparks

It was for Dewey that I decided to use BrightStar’s services. BrightStar also helped me to be open to receiving help by having caregivers like Lizann, who gladly pitches in and helps me with light housework and preparing lunch; she even plays games with Dewey. I did not think that I could ask Lizann to do that kind of heavy work although I did not think twice about doing it myself. However, I decided to make a list of tasks that she could do to help me and to show her how I wanted to have them done. In that sense, I could be like Dewey, accepting help and enjoying the experience. Lizann even helps him do his exercises and often does them with him! Although it is still uncomfortable to allow Lizann to help, I have learned that love is not only giving help, it is accepting it!

~ B. Hodgin

My first time with BrightStar was a positive experience. My wife has dementia and needs someone to watch over her. The BrightStar Caregiver arrived on time and started by doing some much needed light housework. I left but when I returned at the end of her shift, I was surprised to find that she was deeply involved in helping m wife with her art. My wife dropped her art after getting dementia. Somehow the caregiver was able to inspire her to return to her art table. The two of them were working closely together on my wife’s art piece. That’s a scene I thought might be gone forever. Thus my first day with BrightStar was truly an extraordinary experience.

~ C. Todd