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Compassionate Care

A Daughter’s Compassionate Care

Florence Whelan (l), with her daughter, Carol Schnitzlein

Marshfield residents Carol Schnitzlein and her mother, Florence Whelan, participated in the Caregiver Homes’ program until Florence passed away in June, 2009 at the age of 97. Carol experienced, first-hand, the responsibilities of being a 24/7 caregiver, but wouldn’t have done it any other way. She says about her mother, “I feel blessed to have had her with me for so many years.”

Mrs. Whelan had lived with her daughter and her daughter’s husband, Richard, for twenty years, when Richard passed away unexpectedly. Still reeling from the loss of her husband, Carol was suddenly faced with the possibility of losing her house and the ability to care for her mother, whose only other option may have been nursing home care. She happened to see a newspaper ad for pened Caregiver Homes of Massachusetts and contacted the organization.

South Regional Director, Denise Baxter-Powell responded to Carol’s call for help. Denise walked them through the application process for MassHealth (Medicaid) and Mrs. Whelan was able to qualify for Caregiver Homes under the Frail Elder Waiver. “Who would ever know a program like this existed? It sounded too good to be true,” Carol commented.

In addition to the twice-monthly payments that allowed Carol to keep her home, she appreciated the support of her mother’s Care Manager, Miriam MacKenzie and Registered Nurse, Karin Sullivan. “I will never forget all the kindness and wonderful support of the Caregiver Homes’ program,” said Carol, “(You two) are very special people, and Caregiver Homes is a better program because you are part of it.”

Mrs. Whelan’s granddaughter says that her grandmother set a wonderful example for all the women in the family. Carol remembers her mother in past years when, even after losing friends and family members, "each morning she would get up, put her face on, do her work, visit people, help people, and she even found time to deliver Meals on Wheels."

When asked about her days spent as her mom’s caregiver, Carol smiles and says, “I’m so lucky, my mother was always so pleasant, and she was such a good mother."

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_{Caregiver Homes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Seniorlink, Incorporated (Boston, MA).

Learn more about how Seniorlink is dedicated to helping frail senior and disabled adults live with dignity and independence.}