Elder Care in Chicago, Illinois

By training and experience, Leitha Watkins understands the changing needs of people experiencing dementia. She responds to her client in the moment and is skilled at redirecting behavior. Through a combination of humor and firmness she guides the client to achieve the desired outcome -- eating a meal, taking a shower, getting dressed, going for a walk, or packing for a trip. Leitha has a very “can do” attitude. She is imaginative and thinks of alternate approaches to take when the first one doesn’t work. I observed Leitha’s demeanor several times each week over the course of six months when she cared for a friend of mine (during 8- or 10-hour shifts) while my friend was preparing to move to another city to live with relatives. I was struck by Leitha's generosity of spirit towards everyone, and particularly by her genuine affection for her clients. In that time, I never heard her utter even one unkind word, no matter how frustrating a situation might be—and, as anyone who has cared for a person with dementia knows, there was plenty of frustration to go around. Leitha has a natural down-to-earth talent for building trust and for making difficult situations better. No one can achieve perfection, but Leitha always aims for the best possible outcome. Leitha is practical and detail-oriented, with a strong work ethic. She is punctual, she will keep notes of her clients’ daily activities, and she accounts thoroughly for any expenditures she makes. In the public arena (e.g., dealing with vendors, handling appointments) Leitha is a ready advocate for her client’s interests. She recognizes and responds to any potentially dangerous in-home situations that would impact the client’s health or living circumstances. She often calls to check on her clients, maintaining a sense of continuity, even when it isn’t her day to work with them. Any client under her care is fortunate indeed.