Letters of thank you

To Gail

I just want to say a ‘thank you’ for the care you gave mum and the years she spent with you.

Despite her illness you treated her as the person she was and helped maintain her dignity to the end. She mattered as an individual to you and that helped us cope with the sadness we all felt. As a family we always felt supported by you.

With love and thanks from Sue, Michelle, Scott, Joe and all of Frank's Family xxx

Dear Gail,

Thank you so much for your kindness and care during the 20 months that our late mother, Edith, was in your care. Like so many others in her position, mum never wanted to be in residential care, and you helped her to settle and be happier at home, and worked hard to meet her needs.

We always speak highly of you to anyone who asks us about the standard of care you provided to her. You are patient and kind in your treatment of the residents under your care. We never hear a cross word spoken and mum often told us how ‘nice" the other girls were too.

You do your best by vulnerable people in the most difficult times of their lives and we thank you for the support that you give to families like ourselves as well.

Thank you again,

The Green family

“Dear carer,

I thought of different ways to begin this letter, but the most suitable way is just starting by saying “thank you for all your work!”. Because of you our parents, children, or friends have a kind soul near them, are well taken care of, feel the joy of having small conversations throughout the day and can look to their future with a little more hope.

It has to take a great strength of character to help people taking care of themselves and to organize their life essentially. Additionally to have the patience to talk with someone when that person sometimes doesn’t remember who you are, and to have the power to help frail others to perform their daily activities, such as cooking, bathing, clothing, when they no longer can.

Your work is essential, not only for the people you care for, but also for the society as a whole. In a way, I think you can be called our societal parents, as you guide, support and help those who need that special attention beyond our own. Every effort you make, small or big, adds to people’s improved quality of life, and that is something to admire.

I know that things are not easy for you. The status of your work is not where it should be, yet your clients are growing in number. Although the rewards are not many, I thank you for your patience, hard work and good intentions. I often hear people say “I want to do something that matters to others, something meaningful!” – and I think your work is one of those type of jobs. There you can be repaid not only financially, but also with a kind smile and the look of gratitude, which sometimes makes all the difference in the world.