Letters of Recommendation
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Dear Editor,
It is my pleasure to write this letter regarding services provided by Linda Kempf RN, owner of All About Care here in Louisville, Kentucky; and to thank your magazine for running her "Caring for Aging Loved Ones" column regularly for so many years. We would have had no way of finding this remarkable person and service existed without your magazine.
In the spring of 2005 our family, like many, were faced with care issues of a family member that were beyond our ability to manage at home. It was at this time, with great fortune,we were introduced to Ms. Kempf RN. After hours and days of our struggling with the questions of where, what, when and how, Linda was able to take over and coordinate the care of our loved one in a very organized and professional manner to the Altenheim Care facility. It was not only that she facilitated the transition of care, but during our continued stay at the Altenheim, she has been an ongoing resource and support for care management needs requiring acute interventions beyond the facilities resources.
The ability to call her night or day, weekends and evenings, has been a lifesaver to our family in our time of need. Our family wanted to take this opportunity to thank her for all of the support, professional knowledge and true love for her clients that she continues to demonstrate endlessly...
Sincerely
Beverly Tallent |
| November 4, 2005 Dear Cathy Zion, Anita Oldham:
December 7 is a date that most Americans immediately relate as being Pearl Harbor Day, a day that will always be remembered with sorrow and pain. However, for my immediate family December 7, specifically December 7, 1998, brings even more pain and sorrow, as that morning at 6:00am my husband suffered a severe and debilitating stroke: a condition that reduced a robust and very active member of society to a frail, sickly man.
After he spent two months in a rehab facility, I was faced with the reality of what was I going to do when he came home? He couldn't be left alone, and he needed care and assistance in every area of his life. There was no one to help! No one to offer assistance. No one to help make decisions. No advocate. No one to tell me what facilities were out there for me. No one. At that time I took him to a daycare facility and picked him up to take him home after my work day ended. After several years, this situation had to change as I was experiencing problems that would only escalate as I got older. I still had three children to care for as well as working a full time job. Now in all the years I cared for my husband, I received much well intended advice regarding what could and couldn't be done regarding monetary assistance, healthcare agencies, and the like, but after I investigated these resources, they never applied to my particular situation or the information I received was only assumed and not factual.
Quite frankly, I did not know where to turn for help. It was like if you asked three different people the same question you got three different answers. I was absolutely desperate, so physically tired and emotionally drained that I didn't know where to turn. One afternoon I poured out my heart (and need) to the Lord for His divine assistance. I knew that when there seems to be no way, the Lord will find a way. I opened the yellow pages of the phone book and saw this small, unassuming ad for All About Care…CARE CHECK, and I placed the call. What a day!! As I relayed my circumstances and all that we had been through during the three year ordeal, this precious, compassionate, caring voice on the other end of the phone reassured me that she could and would indeed help me.
In less than ten days from the day of my call to Linda Hitt Kempf, my husband was located in the proper facility for his specific needs. I would never have been able to assess the proper facility, like most of us who are not educated in these areas, we are only guessing what the right thing to do is. How frustrating to be in such a position with the most important people in our lives, forced to guess and assume what we are doing is right.
In the times we live in we think nothing about spending thousands of dollars on vacations, thousands and thousands of dollars on vehicles and any and all other types of “things.” What a small price to pay for someone you love to be in the right caring and loving environment. What a wonderful service All About Care…CARE CHECK.
God bless you, Linda Kempf. You lifted a burden that no one else seemed to care about.
Thank you, Cathy and Anita for running this column so others will know we do have an advocate.
Anne Palmer
Louisville, KY |
Dear Linda:
I want to thank you for the tremendous improvement in the
quality of care my mother now receives due to your efforts.
Your attention to detail has made all the difference. My
thanks also to Today's Woman for publishing your helpful
column, otherwise I would have been unable to find you to
help my mother. You were there in a time of crisis and were
invaluable in arranging the proper consultations. It is
not easy to live so far away from mom and try to manage
her care from a distance. Now I am reassured since you will
continue to monitor her care.
Diane Exeriede
Bellevue,
WA
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Dear Mrs. Oldham, Today's Woman Magazine:
Several weeks ago I was referred to Linda Kempf, RN, president of All About Care...Care Check, who regularly writes for your publication on issues regarding care for the elderly. I contracted with Mrs. Kempf as a consultant to help me find proper placement for an elderly out-of-state in-law, who was no longer able to care for herself but adamantly opposed leaving her home.
Mrs. Kempf was invaluable in guiding us through this very stressful and rather complicated situation. I can't tell you how many months of research and nursing home visits would have been required on my part to have accomplished a similar satisfactory result using only my own efforts. Ms. Kempf saved me from making one rather big mistake and has continued to follow up with us to assure that the placement continues to be appropriate. Her wealth of experience in evaluating and improving nursing homes makes her consulting services a real bargain.
Yours very truly,
Royce H. Bailey,
Louisville KY
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Dear Today's Woman Magazine:
...I am a regular reader of Today's Woman and without fail read this particular column because I am a senior citizen. It is the only column of this type that I have found to contain timely information that is unique to the Kentuckiana area.
Unfortunately my husband suffered two strokes and was suddenly in need of 24-hour care. I found myself in a quandary: where do I begin to look for care? What are my options? I was at wit's end and didn't know where to turn for help.
While sitting in an emergency room one afternoon during yet another crisis of my husband's, my daughter showed me an article written by Linda Kempf. I had not considered contacting her until that moment. It turned out to be one of the best experiences I've had since this ordeal began.
I received more information from Linda in one hour than two days in conference with another source...he paled in comparison to what Linda knew off the top of her head: the characteristics of a quality nursing home. Medicare and Medicaid issues, the practicalities of being a Health Care Surrogate and Power of Attorney...Linda was very supportive and literally held my hand through the medical "forest" and led me to the clearing.
Kudos to Today's Woman for continuing to publish Linda's columns.
Sincerely,
Patty Fife,
Louisville KY
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Dear Today's Woman Magazine:
To those in search of help regarding caring for a loved one please know this letter is to all of you.
The decline of a loved one's health leaves you feeling scared and alone. It is now a problem that must be solved by you. You need information fast and a way to cope with all the problems weighing you down.
My problems were solved by making one call to Linda Kempf, RN, a lady with the experience and working knowledge of what needs to be done and how best to do it. Linda not only advised me but found the best placement possible for my Mom and then made it happen. With her help I regained my self-confidence and had my worries solved and gained a good friend. What more could you ask?
Sincerely,
Linda Ann Ward,
Louisville, KY
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Dear Linda:
Thank you so much for your help and expertise in finding the right nursing home for my dear friend. Your knowledge of the nursing home maze is fantastic! But much more important is your true concern and caring for the elderly and for those who are their caregivers. You and your skills are highly appreciated! As a busy physician I found your help priceless.
My Best,
Dr. Laurie Ballew
Louisville, KY
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Dear Cathy Zion and Anita Oldham:
I can't thank you enough for running the articles that Linda Kempf has written. For several years now, I have been the caregiver to my dear Mother, who has Alzheimer's. I knew the time would come that I would need to begin searching for placement for her in a nursing home, so I regularly kept up with her column. If it were not for Today's Woman sharing these facts, those of us who need guidance and knowledge would have no clue about how to find the best care our love ones deserve. Because of Linda's column I called to see if she could help me in my search. That was, without a doubt the BEST CALL I EVER MADE.
Before I called I didn't know where I needed to start or how to go about all the red tape. I had a meeting with Linda and she was so kind and caring. Immediately, I felt a sense of calm. Because I was intent on making the right decision, I really needed someone to take charge of my situation and help me find the best place suited for my Mother's needs. The minute you meet Linda you know she is definitely a take charge person . She didn't sugar coat anything. She gave me the truthful facts. I knew then I wanted Linda to be the person to find my Mother her last home. I felt too that this was a real wise investment for my mother.
When I contracted with Linda to be my Mother's advocate, I was so right about her being the best investment I could make. Not only did she focus on my Mother's well-being, but my peace of mind as well. This sort of life crisis can take a real toll on you, but Linda's expertise makes you feel like a huge weight has just been lifted. I felt confident I made the right decision. I knew it was going to be OK. So, with Linda's recent help, I placed my mother a week ago in a nursing home. Linda was right about the best care, and things are going good. I feel I have been able to make the right choices for my Mother. I also have no fears about the quality of care my mother will receive. I have Linda by my side to help me see to it my mother has the best care she deserves.
In closing let me add that with out Linda's column, none of us caregivers would have any knowledge that such valuable help was just a call away. Thank you again for continuing to share Linda's voice in Today's Woman with those of us who want desperately to hear what she has to say about caring for our aging loved ones. She is a valuable resource to the magazine and the community. And, now as a result Linda is my Mother's "Guardian Angel".
Sincerely,
Cathy Pollock
Louisville, KY
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CARE CHECK
All About Care
Linda Kempf, RN, LNHA, President
(502) 244-CARE (2273)
Louisville, Kentucky
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E-Mail  carecheck@allaboutcare4seniors.com
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