Our experience with Four Seasons began on October 31, 2024, when my 97-year-old Mom, Billie Bausell, who had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, fell from being dizzy and hardly being able to walk due to the swelling in her legs. She was on her way to the bathroom and got a huge hematoma on her calf which became necrotic and from that point, she became bedbound. As her daughter, I had always promised her that I would take care of her in her older years and never put her in a nursing home which I think was a fear of hers. And if you knew my Mom, you knew she didn’t fear much, so it was my pleasure to keep that promise since she was the greatest gift God ever gave me. However, a lot comes with a promise like that, and it is not one that anyone can do alone.
As they say, it takes a village or more than one family member to take care of someone in need, but sometimes you can’t count on others or you just don’t have anyone else to help you. That is where an organization like Four Seasons comes in. Honestly, I don’t know how anyone could take care of a loved without an organization like Four Seasons. I, myself, am a strong individual with patience, understanding, resilience, strength and a love that would do and withstand anything for my Mother, and yet I still needed help to move her, to bathe her, to understand what was going on with her physically, spiritually and emotionally, as well as keep her comfortable with no distress.
In 2011, I had experienced private home health care with my sister when she was in the last stages of her fight with cancer and had an idea of what kind of help I could get. To my surprise, Four Seasons far surpassed my expectations from the very first phone call. It didn’t matter what time of day or night I called, there was always someone pleasant on the other end of the phone whether it was a volunteer or a staff member. If they couldn’t answer a question I might have or I felt my Mother was in need of extra care, they would get someone immediately that could help us.
When they came to the house for the evaluation of my Mother’s needs, they were very informative of what they could offer and what I could expect which was nothing short of excellence and loving care for my Mom, giving us the confidence we needed while helping her keep her dignity. Whatever the need, Four Seasons provided it. My Mother and I adored our nurse, Veronica, from the moment we met her. Every time she would leave the house after our visit and check-up for her, my Mom would say “I really like her. I wish we were neighbors.” No matter what was going on with my Mom whether it was pain, anxiety, restlessness, appetite, or constant itching. Veronica would always explain why something was happening and would find a solution to regain my Mother’s comfort. She really was a godsend.
Then our CNA, Amanda, who we also adored, would come and give my Mom her bath so tenderly and with dignity twice a week if she was up to it. They both always had a great recommendation depending on what was going on that day that would help. Some days, my Mom would say she wanted to cancel (or as she said one time that she wanted to play hookie) because she either wanted to nap all day or just wasn’t up to it. Whatever she wanted, they would adapt to something else for her. In fact, everyone that we came in contact with was outstanding in their profession- from the Doctors to the P.A. Paula; the Music Therapist, Lauren; the Social Worker, Lynn; the volunteers and every other staff or professional member of Four Seasons- whether they were filling in as a substitute or delivering supplies. I always knew that any one of them was just a phone call away to help and answer anything that was going on at the time. They were our family and we knew we could count on them.
As time went on and my Mother started to decline, Veronica was always so compassionate and loving and would explain everything in such a way that it would ease our mind. She treated me as if I was the patient, as well, with love and understanding which made my experience more bearable and acceptable. During the last weeks of my Mother’s life when she was no longer wanting to eat or drink, I was unfortunately hospitalized due an illness and was not able to take care of my Mom, which caused me great anxiety not being able to be with her. But I knew she was in good hands with Four Seasons. My husband, who had been by my side the whole time, was now her sole caretaker and somewhat nervous about it. But Veronica and Amanda were right there to help him and support him with her care especially when she needed to be seen over the weekend due to a new complications in which she needed to be evaluated for an infection in her ear and saliva glands. They sent somebody right out to check on her.
Two days later my Mom passed away peacefully in the privacy of her home which was the one thing she always said she wanted. Since I was still in the hospital at the time, my husband was the one who had to take care of things and like always from the first phone call, Four Seasons was there to take care of everything for us. Another nurse, Michael, came to pronounce her and prepare her to be taken to the Funeral Home of our choice, sat with my husband, and consoled and comforted him for 5 hours while they waited for the funeral home to come and transport her. He helped my husband understand what to expect and that he could call at anytime for any reason, that they would be there for us no matter what. He also explained that they offered grief counseling and other services for us for a year after her death if we ever have or feel the need for extra support.
From the bottom of my heart, I cannot recommend Four Seasons enough for the care of your loved one, or yourself for that matter. They are the greatest blessing that we had as a family during some of the most difficult stages in life that we all must go through at some point and time or another. If and when we ever need this type of service again in our lives, Four Seasons will be the first step that we take. They provide the best loving and comforting care anyone could ask for and should take great pride in their professionalism and handling of each individual person under their care.
Thank You, Four Seasons. I don’t know how we would have gone through this without you!
Denise Fairbrother
Honoring the memory of my Beautiful Mom, Billie Bausell
Are you in need of support that feels like family? Four Seasons is here for you.
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