In our bimonthly newsletters we’ve started sharing some glimpses of the compassionate care that Coral Tree’s caregivers have offered our friends (and us!) over the years — highlighting personal experiences; sharing stories friends have shared; or recalling particular moments that touched our hearts.

Here’s a piece Cassidy wrote about Del, one of our longtime caregivers for the Aug-Oct 2021 issue of our newsletter. In addition to being an incredible caregiver and support to Coral Tree — Del’s been working with us since 2010 — in 2020 she started working as a Coral Tree as a scheduler as well.

When Coral Tree was just beginning and I was a true novice in this field, I was lucky enough to meet Del who agreed to work with us.

Early one Sunday morning, I answered a call from a distressed lady who needed help for her husband asap. Believe me, I knew nothing. I called Del and we drove that morning to the couple’s home in Laguna Beach.

The client had had a double lung transplant and was susceptible to any infection, having already lost an eye from one. Del knew just what to do, how to ensure his safety despite the presence of their dog and numerous cats. Confidently and calmly, Del put his wife at ease and began to discuss with the client his best plan of care. She explained what we could do to help him and we were hired on the spot. Del, in fact, did some of his caregiving herself.

A person with multiple management skills, Del’s always says her heart is in giving care. I’ve seen again and again how her kind-hearted nature and gentle confidence puts people at ease. She’s open-minded and loving and has strong inner values. It has been my great fortune not just to learn from her and to work beside her now for many years, but also to call her my friend — someone I can lean on and trust in any situation.