Comfort Keepers of Ebensburg

I lived about four hours from my parents during the time my dad was starting to need some extra help to care for his medical needs. As senior citizens in their 80s, my parents were of sound mind, but had some difficulty getting around. Although I was able to visit on the weekends, I needed to find someone to come in during the week and make sure they were taking their meds and following doctor's orders. I interviewed several independent care providers, but felt uncomfortable because they were not bonded or insured. So I looked toward the agencies that serviced my parents' community.

I selected Comfort Keepers, operating out of Clearfield, Pennsylvania. They are a national chain and they specialize in helping senior citizens. They allowed me to interview as many CNAs as I wanted until I found the right person for the job. However, I interviewed three young ladies and each one they sent would have been perfectly suitable. I was very comfortable with every candidate they sent. Each one showed up on time, was neat and clean, answered every one of my questions thoroughly and assured me that they would give my dad the highest quality of care. More importantly, each one of them got along well with my dad (very important), so that made me happy.

It was a tough decision, but I went with the one caregiver who lived the closest to my dad, thinking that it would be easier in bad weather for someone close by to drive for the visit. Her name was Rhonda, and she was excellent. Although I only asked for her to come three times a week for 3-4 hours a day, this exceptional young woman would stop by on off days just to "say hello" and check in. This went above and beyond anything I would have hoped for.

Rhonda monitored my dad's meds, changed dressings, helped him bathe and even made him some snacks. For the six months that I had her working, she became a member of the family, even bringing her dog and her little nephew on some of her off-day visits.

I think that Comfort Keepers is an excellent franchise and I was so pleased with their service. Although their rates are not cheap (but they are competitive), they do know how to deal with the senior population. I never had a problem with Rhonda showing up late or not showing up at all. She was on time and she kept in touch with me by e-mail or phone, to let me know how my dad was doing.

More importantly, my dad loved Rhonda, and he would listen to her advice before he would listen to mine. That was certainly OK with me.

There came a point where my dad no longer needed in-home care and we were sorry to have to stop the service. But Rhonda continued to stop by whenever she was in the area and became a good family friend.

I suspect this was an unusual circumstance, but I think it is why I am so pleased to recommend Comfort Keepers as a home care provider for seniors.