As mom's dementia progressed she lost her ability to reliably communicate. Without family presence it became increasingly difficult to assess her unmet needs. This is where Leslie became my godsend. I witnessed her unique ability to find ways to successfully communicate with the residents who have dementia (verbal and non-verbal), including mom. With this, she was able to assess and relay mom's needs to me so that I could continue to advocate on mom's behalf.
The bond and genuine affection that mom developed towards Leslie was evident. She quickly became an extension to our family, providing mom with care and comfort in our absence, assuring family of her well being or alerting family of any unmet needs. She was always understanding and supportive of our situation and decisions, maintaining respect and confidentiality at all times. She was both professional and personal in her approach and I would sincerely recommend her as a companion to anyone who needs assistance for their loved one's.