“Thanks Yvette. The extra visits are amazing!! You have taken the stress away from us in such a caring way”
Comforting Companions Client
“Yvette, this attention to detail is beyond my expectations”
Comforting Companions Client
“Thanks so much for all that you do for mom it is truly amazing.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Thank you for the care you have shown my father. I only wished that we had discovered your wonderful service sooner, but hopefully other families will discover what great service you have.”
Comforting Companions Client
“We are so very grateful for you, for Michelle and for Risa. Thank you for building Comforting Companions and for working with amazing people to make such an amazing service available for Dad and others. ”
Comforting Companions Client
“I cannot express how appreciative both Heidi and I are, of what Comforting Companions was able to provide for both us and Dad. Nola’s visit brought something extra to his life and your support and insight, provided us comfort.”
Comforting Companions Client
“My eyes are filling up with joy and happiness as I read Linda’s report and kind words, it made my day. ”
Comforting Companions Client
“I have to tell you, my eyes filled with tears when I read Linda’s update. For someone else to see Nan, the way that I do was heartwarming. This was a gift.”
Comforting Companions Client
“I think Mom views you as a family member now and we feel so good about the joy she takes from your visits.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Thanks again Yvette for all your support and compassion, it has truly made a difference.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Thanks for all you do Yvette to bring so much kindness, caring and love to so many. You are a blessing.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Thanks Yvette. Again, I cannot tell you how reassuring it is to have you and Maria visit Mom and send us those lovely notes of your visits. This is a wonderful service you are providing to residents and their families at long-term care facilities.”
Comforting Companions Client
“You are beyond awesome, Once again, you contribute so much to our family and to Bettys quality of life. I am certain that without you and your teams companionship, she would not have lasted as long as she did. I’m sure Betty knew and felt your loving warmth over the past year- I knew you would be perfect for her and my mother as soon as I met you!”
Comforting Companions Client
“Mom’s Valentine card arrived today! It brought a smile to my face when I opened the envelope. You are so thoughtful to take the time to send it to Florida. It means a lot to me to have something that Mom made herself at this stage of her life. This card will remind me of Mom in such a warm way every day while I am down here. Thank you for being you!”
Comforting Companions Client
“Thank you so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate what Risa and Michele are doing for Dad.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Yvette, it sounds as though Mom is enjoying your visits and is staying engaged in all of the activities you share with her. I truly hope that if I have to live in a long-term care facility in my older years that someone like you is there for me!!”
Comforting Companions Client
“What a wonderful account of your visit with Mom! It warms my hear to hear how Mom is enjoying her time with you. Thank you so much for giving Mom the stitched cross. Little things like that mean so much to her and it sounds as though she was very happy and appreciative.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Your staff are doing everything possible to make Betty comfy and to feel loved. Marcie is such a dear, we’re lucky to have her helping our family. Xx Shelley”
Katherine – Nova Scotia
“I am very grateful to you and to both women for the time and attention they give to Dad. They are amazing.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Michelle’s visits are so helpful, as are the updates. My sister Faith in England relies on them…gives her a sense of how mom is managing.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Yvette, you are the best. I so appreciate you making time for my sister over Christmas that will mean so much to her. It’s tough being here with the family knowing my sister is on her own. Thank you for making it easier for all of us.”
Comforting Companions Client
“It is so sad that this disease is stealing years from my mother that could have been so good, but she is lucky to have caring people like you to add some joy to her days.”
Comforting Companions Client
“I can’t express enough how much I love reading Nola’s updates…Dad mentions her every time I talk to him and her visits are a big highlight of his day. She truly makes an positive impact on his life.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Again, your service is invaluable to me and my siblings as we are not there on a regular basis. Having this information helps us to be better advocates for our Mom who deserves a comfortable, loving environment to live in. Thanks again, Yvette.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Thank you Yvette for Maria’s account of her visit with mom and for you and Maria caring so much about your clients. I am so grateful that we have decided to have you and Maria visit my mother regularly.”
Comforting Companions Client
“I truly believe that your visits are instrumental in my mothers improvement in her cognitive abilities. It’s sad to think so many long-term care residents lead such sedentary lifestyles as a result of lack of stimulation of their senses.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Makes my day to know she has FUN. Thanks to you both. Enough good things can’t be said.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Thank you so much for these beautiful notes which you prepare after every visit. They mean the world to me and to know that someone is there visiting mom is comforting to both me and my sister.”
Comforting Companions Client
“We are so grateful for Risa’s beautiful notes and how she thinks of interesting things to engage mom. Thanks so much. I am so very glad that mom has a friend in Risa and is enjoying her company, what a blessing. Big hugs to both of you for a job well done.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Just to let you both know how much I enjoy the notes after the visits. We were in stitches last night reading what mom remembers. Thank you so much, I am so glad that your car was parked beside mine that day and you happened out when I was still in my car. I feel that God was looking out for me knowing how much this would mean to me. Life is so amazingly!”
Comforting Companions Client
“I am sure that you both know how much your notes mean to me, my children and my sister. I look forward to your updates every Monday evening. You both are providing a wonderful service for families. Thanks so much.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Both you and Risa are amazing woman, caring for these old and forgotten souls. Thank you for all that you both are doing every week for my mom. Love and big hugs.”
Comforting Companions Client
“Please thank Christine for sending us the verses that Aunt Helen wanted to share with her family. Christine went above and beyond. Thank you so much.”
Comforting Companions Client
“It makes me so happy to hear the updates from Christina and know mom is doing well!”
Comforting Companions Client
“I wanted to thank you and Christina for all your TLC. You both certainly made moms days brighter. I’m so glad we found you!”
Comforting Companions Client
“I was missing mom so much while I was away, thank you so much for all your help. Your service has been wonderful.”
Comforting Companions Client
“I wanted to thank you for the wonderful services that you and your company has provided for my Father James who was living in Long Term Care and for all the genuine caring. This is such a valuable service to families who would like to spend more time with their loved ones but are unable due to busy schedules, like living out of town, or many other reasons why visits are not always possible. We were impressed with how you matched a staff with my father so that conversations would be both enjoyable and inspiring; furthermore, your updates back to us about the visits were very helpful as some observations were brought to light, that we had not realized during our visits. This new information helped us make a few minor changes to improve his quality of life. I would highly recommend your service to anyone who has a loved one in a Long Term Care facility and my only regret was that we had not known of your service earlier.”
John - Oakville Ontario
“Yvette visited our mother, who was greatly afflicted with dementia, as we were unable to be there as much as we wished. Yvette has a good understanding of and strong interest in dementia patients. She was extremely patient and caring with our mother, initiating new stimulation activities for her and carefully documenting mum’s reactions and moods in emails that she regularly sent us. Yvette was always thinking of new ways to reach our mother and helping us advocate for her care. We had worked with other services, but Yvette’s was the most personalized, and most compassionate. We would highly recommend Comforting Companions if you are seeking a particularly intelligent, compassionate, proactive and caring service, the kind of care you would provide yourself.”
The Smith Family, Comforting Companions Client, Toronto, Ontario
As our mother’s dementia became increasingly worse, one of our greatest challenges was finding ways to bring joy into her life. My brother and I were so fortunate to meet Yvette, the owner of Comforting Companions, at an Alzheimer’s Society event. She took the time to learn about Mom as a person, including the things Mom enjoyed before and after she developed dementia. She is compassionate, dedicated and has been extremely creative in finding new activities for Mom as she moves through the various stages of the disease. Having the support of Comforting Companions has added greatly to Mom’s quality of life, and has also reduced some of the stress we had been experiencing as caregivers. The joy that lights up my Mom’s face when Yvette walks into the room is the best testament we could have to the value of the visits. The regular updates are also invaluable, especially when we are travelling. Our family is very grateful that this wonderful service is available in Halifax.
Bonnie, Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Comforting Companions has truly been a game changer in my father’s life. Yvette and her dedicated team of “Angels” fill a void that, for families caring for a loved one, is immeasurable in so many ways.
My father really struggled adjusting to his loss of independence and familiar way of life after suffering a stroke and entering a Nursing Home. My sister, who lives in the same province as my father, was challenged with trying to find time to spend with him and help adjust to his new surroundings while managing a demanding job and an active young family. This was too much for one family member to take on, we needed help. Contacting Comforting Companions was the best thing we could have done for both myself and my sister, but more importantly, for our father. The compassion, dedication and professionalism that Yvette and her team have shown has given our father consistent, reliable, and meaningful companionship, and has provided our family peace of mind – for this, we are truly grateful.
Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“It is important to my family that my mother has great quality of care as she has dementia and lives in a Nursing Home . Yvette has taken the time to know my mother as a person, her interests and gives thoughtful consideration to what is important for my mom during her visits. Having an extra set of eyes, a warm heart looking over her and someone who can spend quality time with our mother is the best we can do, when we just can’t be there. It’s one of the greatest gifts we can give my Mother. As a family, we are very grateful for the quality and personal care Yvette provides.”
Nancy, Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“It is a wonderful thing that you are able to be part of my mother’s life. It is a great help to me as I am having to spend more time managing my father and his health issues.”
A Comforting Companions Client
“When it comes to understanding the quality of care that one wishes for a loved one, Yvette really gets it. It’s like having an additional family member making visits to my mother. I think for seniors in nursing homes it is critical that they receive frequent mental and physical interaction in order to help them preserve whatever levels of mental and physical health they possess. Yvette visits go well beyond just spending time with my mother; she is always looking for new activities to engage my mother both physically and mentally to help her maintain her current health levels. I have found her efforts to be quite creative and effective in helping my mother. I have complete confidence in Yvette to provide great quality care during her visits with my mother. This is a great support to me on those occasions when I am out of town on business and cannot make my own visits to my mother. My family and I are very grateful to Yvette for providing a unique service that really meshes well with the high quality of care we are hoping to provide for my mother.”
Paul, A Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“Yvette has taken the time to find a true comforting companion for our aunt, now in a long term care facility. As family out of town and responsible for our aunt’s care, it is providing us with peace of mind knowing Yvette and her staff are visiting and keeping in touch with us on a regular basis. We feel fortunate to have found just the right kind of support needed for our family. Yvette and her staff are providing a wonderful service to us with their personal and thoughtful attention.”
Kathy, A Comforting Companions Client, Out Of Province
“My mother is in a Long Term Care facility and it gives us a sense of comfort to know that she has another visitor in to see her. We can’t be there as often as we like and feel that she welcomes another person, other than just us. We appreciate the stimulation that Yvette brings with her and I know that Mom looks forward to her visits.”
Janet, A Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“One of the realities of our time is that families are often separated by distance for a myriad of reasons. Living in one community while a parent or love one resides within a Nursing Home in another, can often place unnecessary stress on both parties. Comforting Companions helps by providing that little extra trusted contact and peace of mind.”
Terry, A Comforting Companions Client, Riverview, New Brunswick
“I wholeheartedly recommend Yvette and her company, Comforting Companions. Working full time in the health field, I was looking for “a friend” to regularly visit my elderly mother, who lives in Long Term Care when I was not able. Yvette met with me and met my mom and found a perfect match from someone on her team. I am so pleased with the service, both the consistency and the personal touch at each visit. It is especially reassuring when I’m out of town. An excellent and truly caring service.”
Kathy, A Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“Comforting Companions truly represents what Yvette does … Or as mom likes to call her, ‘my special friend’. Alzheimer’s is a very difficult illness for many families to deal with and having my mother in a long term care facility in Halifax, and as the sole person to look after her and visit daily, is challenging. Yvette truly cares and understands the difficulties families face. Her support and services have had been of great benefit to my mother and to our family, knowing Yvette is there to be a companion to mom. Yvette has gotten to know mom very well and it feels like she is part of the family and now she is. Yvette talks to mom about her family, her love of Acadian music, history, crafts, pictures and is always getting mom moving and talking. It’s amazing what Yvette has done with the time she has with her; whether listening to music, sharing a laugh, she spends thoughtful, quality time. It’s really a blessing to have Yvette in my mother’s life, and any family needing support with a family member in a Nursing Home would definitely benefit.”
Roger, A Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“What can I say, the patience and care you have provided mom through a challenging time is heartwarming – thanks so much for all you have done.”
A Comforting Companions Client
“My mother is an Alzheimer’s patient in a long term care facility. She doesn’t do very much as she can’t participate in any of the activities. I try to get in to see her as much as I can but our visits are usually pretty short due to life being so busy. Comforting Companions visits my Mom once a week and they spend two hours chatting, strolling the halls, interacting with others and doing crafts that Yvette preplans for her, she really enjoys this time. The training that Yvette has with Alzheimer’s and her strong passion for enhancing the quality of life is a key factor when she interacts with my Mom. This is so important for me to have a trustworthy companion for my Mother…. Such an invaluable service!”
Wendy, A Comforting Companions Client, Sackville, Nova Scotia
“Thanks so much Yvette, you are my Moms Angel here on earth.
A Comforting Companions Client
“Living over 3000 km away from my Mom and getting home only once a year, I find that I too am comforted… not just my Mom, knowing that she is well looked after, connected and engaged through trusted, professionally, caring companionship. It is Yvette’s personable, courteous, flexible and reliable service that makes this possible. This assures me that Mom is not alone and doing well even if our family can’t be there when we wish we could. Thank you!”
Ken, A Comforting Companions Client, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
“It’s nice to see and hear mom looking forward to something. What you do is such a blessing and comfort to all concerned.”
A Comforting Companions Client
“When I am unable to be there, Yvette shows my mother the kind of love and attention I give her. Seniors in nursing homes receive good clinical care but I find there isn’t much provision for simple friendship. This can lead to too much isolation which in turn creates problems and decline. Yvette has become my mother’s friend and for this I am most grateful…”
Susan, A Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“I cannot express how grateful I am for the care and genuine warmth from the team at Comforting Companions toward my aunt, who lives in a Long Term Care home. I am unable to be with her as much as she needs and feel very comfortable that she is happy in the company of your kind and compassionate companions.”
Debbie, A Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“Last visit with mom, we also stopped for a chat with management who spoke glowingly about the positive feedback they are receiving about your team and services. Your company is one of the few if not the only one who successfully engages and stimulates the clients you see. Well done!”
A Comforting Companions Client
“Your support and friendship has been a strength for mom and her family. If we can ever offer you and your team words of support for other families, please do not hesitate to use us. Thank you!”
A Comforting Companions Client
“I think Dad is doing very well with the extra attention. Without question his quality of life is better and that’s what he is so deserving of.”
Michele, A Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“I cannot praise Comforting Companion enough for their care and professionalism. They have made such a difference to both my family and my son who was placed in a Nursing Home. There caring visits, help relieved additional stress our family was under having him there, as no matter how much we visited, we always wanted him to know that he was cared about and not forgotten. Living in a Nursing Home is not what you want for those you love, but Comforting Companions and their kind and caring staff, have been visiting my son now for well over a year and always let me know how he is when they are there. I am so glad we found them.
Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
“Comforting Companions has truly been a game changer in my Father’s life. Yvette and her dedicated team of “Angels” fill a void that, for families caring for a loved one, is immeasurable in so many ways. My Father really struggled adjusting to his loss of independence and familiar way of life after suffering a stroke. My sister, who lives in the same province as my father, was challenged with trying to find time to spend with him and help adjust to his new surroundings while managing a demanding job and an active young family. This was too much for one family member to take on, we needed help. Contacting Comforting Companions was the best thing we could have done for both myself and my sister, but more importantly, for our Father. The compassion, dedication and professionalism that Yvette and her team have shown has given our father consistent, reliable, and meaningful companionship, and has provided our family peace of mind – for this, we are truly grateful.”
Comforting Companions Client, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Living in western Canada, away from our ailing mother in a Nova Scotia Nursing Home, was a heartbreaking challenge. After her husband passed away, my sister and I needed a special person to be with our mother to keep her company and care for her where we could not. Connecting with Yvette Gagnon, of Comforting Companions was a blessing. Yvette listened to our concerns and needs, then over a short time, gently became the special friend we needed for mom. Yvette was caring, intuitive about mom’s interests and daily disposition, brought in interesting activities and communicated regularly with us how mom was. Yvette’s updates were instrumental, especially when mom’s health deteriorated. Yvette was there in mom’s last few hours when we could not make it in time. Comforting Companions, led by Yvette Gagnon is a service we will always remember and be thankful for.
Barbara, Comforting Companions Client, Calgary, Alberta
My dad is an artist, a psychologist, a gourmet cook and a priest. He has Dementia and lives in a Nursing Home and we live four provinces away. After my mother passed away and was no longer able to visit him, Dad’s world shrank and he was very lonely. I had heard of Comforting Companions, contacted Yvette and she had someone on her team who was able to visit him regularly, become a friend and talk about art. Dad has adopted her as his “artist friend”. She visits him regularly and we always are well informed on how the visits are going. Initially, I had a level of expectation that it might help him be less lonely. Dad tells us about the artist friend who visits him and the deep philosophical discussions they have. The reality however has been so much more and the visits fill a need that we cannot because we live far away.
We then added a second companion later who is not an artist but is also very caring and she has filled a void around things that make Dad anxious – the practical things that he needs help with and just talking about life in general. It’s amazing to me how well both ladies have incorporated themselves into Dad’s life seamlessly. Very simply, Comforting Companions have eased the burden of supporting Dad on a daily basis when we simply can’t be there for him ourselves. The cost is minimal for the priceless support they give to us as a family.
Comforting Companions Client - Manitoba