Client Recommendations
What Our Clients Have To Say:
Jacqueline McElhinney is an outstanding caregiver who took care of my husband during the last six months of his life. By the time I found her my husband was bedridden. During my husband’s eight-year-long battle with Alzheimer’s I employed a great number of caregivers from a variety of agencies. Most of them were fair to poor so I was overjoyed when Jackie and her Irish Angels came to us. They provided coverage 24/7. I never had to worry about who would be covering when as Jackie always had the schedule worked out.
They were absolutely reliable, kind, punctual, cheerful, competent and they got along well with my entire household including other help. My husband’s care was outstanding. They were unobtrusive but always willing to help out in anyway. For me, these caregivers were head and shoulders above any agency I had dealt with previously. I recommend them enthusiastically and without any reservations. I feel very fortunate to have had them care for my husband. They are, in my opinion, the best!
- S. Edmonds, Cambridge MA
Jacqueline McElhinney worked for my father, (age 98) as a caregiver from 8/7/10 until 1/20/12. Jacqueline worked 12-hour shifts, and was responsible for the complete physical and mental care of my father. This included serving meals, cleaning up, taking him in the car for errands/outings, going for walks and in the last month, attending to his every movement. Furthermore, Jacqueline was responsible for the scheduling of 5 other caretakers to ensure 24-hour care, handled the medication, and was responsible for taking my father to the doctor.
Jacqueline not only performed these functions with kindness and love, she made him happy, safe and appreciative. She was always punctual and working with a number of other caretakers, she showed professionalism. Her work was thorough and generous. She was diligent in her recording of hours worked in the logbook and made suggestions appropriate to my father's care. Moreover, she contributed to creating a calm and happy household, understanding the desires of my father to be as independent as possible. I highly recommend Jacqueline for a position as a personal caretaker in a leadership role.
- D. Valenstein, Cambridge MA
Our parents hired the Irish Angels well into both of their illnesses, initially just as a means to help with household chores including doing laundry and food shopping. Sadly, our mother died before she could take further advantage of the Angels' wonderful care. However, as our father's illness progressed, we were easily able to increase the hours and commitment from the Angels from a few hours a week to 24/7 care for all of his daily needs.
The Angels were companions, caretakers, medication administrators, documenters, house cleaners, cooks, and general counselors, providing emotional support to the ancillary family and friends who would visit. As a physician, our father knew a lot about his healthcare needs and could be completely honest and transparent with all of the Angels without any negative recourse. They managed his personality as much as they managed his health care needs and it was clear he felt completely comfortable with how they attended to him. Observing each of the Angels carefully watch over our father provided us total confidence in their service, given we did not live nearby and could not be there for him in person on a daily basis.
In the last weeks of his life, the Irish Angels were a critical component to keeping our father amused and comfortable. They collaborated with all of the hospice clinical care providers and our family members without hesitation and provided us all with warmth and support. It was a true blessing to have them as part of our family during an incredibly emotional, vulnerable, and intimate time in our lives. We cannot recommend them highly enough.
- Rachel and Stephanie J., Brookline MA