So, most of you know that I have survived a fatal illness.  Yes, I’m lucky- but I knew that when I survived car crashes, airplane crashes, bombings, gun shootings… OK, you get the idea.

But, what I haven’t survived is the home health care industry.

Not just me- but many folks have been provided sub-standard care by these firms that we entrust to get us and keep us healthy.

My first encounter with a home health agency was when I received my first PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line.   A home health care agency came ONCE to ensure I knew what I was going.  They were also going to come by three or four times a week to clean the device, change the tubing, etc.   Except…

They never once showed up after the first visit.  Worse yet, they failed to deliver my necessary supplies in  a timely fashion.  But, the most heinous act of all?  They billed Medicare for their (non)services.

Unfortunately for them, I am a meticulous data freak.  And, once I saw that they had the balls to bill Medicare for non-services, I prepared an affidavit and sent it to Medicare to have them investigate this firm for fraud.

Later on, when a vacuum pump was installed in my leg to suck out blood, debris, etc and try to keep my wounds from escalating in danger, another health care agency was needed.  (I obviously could not clean and re-dress my wound- and insert the vacuum system myself.)

This firm (associated with one of the local hospitals) had a most interesting relationship with time.  A 10 AM appointment  could be fulfilled at 12 noon, 3 pm, or even 8 PM.  And, since it was necessary for me to be medicated when they were working on my leg, I needed to take oxycontin repeatedly over the course of the day.

But, that was only part of the problem.  The folks this agency sent weren’t very proficient with the pump, with the required dressings, etc.  And, they were less than gentle with me.

Eventually, my physician and nurse practitioner terminated their services and promised they would get me a “great” caregiver.  (Given their track record, I did not hold out a great deal of hope.)

Except….

Care with Love is true to its name.

I have never received better care- or been treated with respect.  My wound care specialist is simply superb.  She makes an appointment time and arrives as promised.

She cleans and dresses my wound superbly.  How can I be sure?  Because, although I survived the fatal illness, my leg had not healed.  And, since Chelsie (Care with Love’s wound care specialist) has been on the case, my leg has been healing.

So, if you live in Virginia, DC, or Maryland and need a home health care agency, have a relative with dementia (or Alzheimer’s), a senior that needs assistance, respiratory care… look no further than Care with Love.

Because their moniker is an understatement.