Visiting Angels employees shine through the storm

Visiting Angels of Sussex has named Kelley Sturgis of Georgetown and Priscilla Burke of Dagsboro co-honorees of the company’s Caregiver Of the Month Award for August. The company helps seniors and disabled adults remain independent and in their own homes for a better quality of life.

The state of Delaware required that all home-care agencies make sure all their clients and their families had a plan for Hurricane Irene.

David Forman, president of Visiting Angels, said, “When coastal town residents were ordered to evacuate, we needed to make arrangements for several of our care recipients. This was quite a challenge, as many of our employees and their own families would also be affected. With the help of some of our most dedicated and compassionate caregivers, all of our clients were safely attended to.”

According to Forman, Sturgis helped evacuate a care recipient and his spouse from Fenwick Island to the home of family in Seaford and stayed with them throughout the storm. The client suffers from dementia, an illness with symptoms that can be greatly aggravated by stress and unfamiliar surroundings.

Forman said, “Kelly has been one of our most professional employees, and has the experience necessary to handle our more challenging situations. Her expertise with dementia and her compassionate care helped this family safely through an extended difficult period.”

Burke has a very busy schedule, working full time for a leading assisted living facility, and making herself available with Visiting Angels when needed. When another employee had a family emergency, Burke quickly filled in.

“Priscilla has extensive experience and a great personality that has earned her praise from some of our best clients all over the county,” Forman said.

Visiting Angels rewards employees based on their customer care and willingness to step in to meet the agency’s needs, even when it’s on short notice or not convenient.

“We’re really proud to count both Kelly and Priscilla among our family of superior care givers,” said Forman. “Our employees are the face of our company, and we only employ those who we would trust with our own families.”

To find out how Visiting Angels can help, call 302-329-9475 or go to visitingangels.com/sussexde.