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No one knows the level of care and service provided at DOJ better than the workers at DOJ themselves. Health care professionals and administrative staff alike, form a bond with residents that is truly unique. The only word to describe it, is “family.” So when someone has a friend or relative who needs the kind of care and attention found at DOJ... it’s only natural for them to insist that their relatives come and join the DOJ family as well.
Here are a few of their stories:
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| Evelyn Garzon and her Aunt Merida Delgado |
Evelyn Garzon has worked at DOJ for the last 27 years. “I love it here…I love talking to the residents…hearing their stories.” As a social worker’s assistant Evelyn spends most of her time visiting with residents and tending to their needs. She helps them make phone calls, helps with their paperwork, translates for the Spanish speaking residents – whatever they need.
About 5 years ago Evelyn’s aunt Merida spent a short time in DOJ’s rehab unit. She received excellent care and was back at home in no time. So when she began having trouble getting around recently, Merida insisted that she be admitted to DOJ as a full time resident. Even though Merida has difficulty leaving her bed, the nurses and staff make sure that she’s included in all special activities. “She really enjoyed the events around Christmas and New Year’s” reports Evelyn.
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| Elsie Diaz |
As Administrative Assistant to the Director of Nursing, Elsie Diaz has her fingers on the pulse of DOJ. Everybody knows her, and she knows everybody.
When Elsie got the sad news that her mother, Diana Pimentel, was terminally ill, the hospital where Dianna was staying had almost completed the paperwork to release her to a Home Hospice Service. But Elsie wanted to keep her mom close during the time they had left, and she knew that her mom would never get better care than at DOJ. “I couldn’t ask for another nursing staff to do more…the nurses and staff here gave her a 110% of their attention” said Elsie. The staff helped Elsie as well through this difficult period. “They helped me with all the paperwork and red tape…really took a lot of the weight off my shoulders.”
Dianna passed away on December 19th, but she is well-remembered by the DOJ “family.” And Else fondly remembers how her family was helped during this difficult time by friends at DOJ.
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| Josefa and her father Eubencio |
Josefa Alcantara had been a Certified Nurses Assistant at DOJ for the last three years. Before that she worked in the psychiatric wing of New York Presbyterian Hospital. “I just like helping people,” she says. “I’m fortunate. I can come and go…take care of myself. But many of the people here at DOJ can’t do everything for themselves. It feels good to be needed.”
When Josefa’s father needed special help, she didn’t hesitate to bring him to DOJ. “We’re like a big family here. The nurses, the assistants and staff…everybody pitches in to help. I know my father is getting the best care and attention possible. And that makes me feel good.”
Josefa’s father, Eubencio, suffers from dementia. But he’s a big part of the DOJ family, and he’s included in all the special activities. Josefa adds: “We’re all in this crazy world together, and when you get right down to it, the nurses and staff here need the residents just as much as they need us.” | 
