Finding Peace Within

Yara was a truly precious gift sent to our Mom, and our entire family, as our Mother prepared for life’s final journey.

From the moment Yara arrived, there was an instant connection.

She was knowledgeable, kind, confident, gentle, reassuring, compassionate, and had a lovely sense of humor! It became quickly evident that what was most important to my Mom was that Yara was able to connect with her on a very unique and spiritual level.

I believe that most people who are nearing the end of life find it very difficult, if not impossible, to have those incredibly important and difficult conversations about death with their family members. It is such a deeply emotional time for everyone. Yara was very skilled and elegant while gaining Mom’s trust and giving her the time she needed to open up - but trust me, with Yara’s endearing personality that did not take long! They talked about life, family, God, and heaven.

Yara encouraged Mom to think about how she wanted to LIVE this last journey of her life… and that was the greatest gift of all! She helped her focus on making the most of the time she had left and planned what she wanted to accomplish before she passed. Yara literally sat and helped my Mom devise and implement a plan that when accomplished, allowed Mom to be truly at peace.

Thanks to Yara, Mom left this earth in the most beautiful, dignified, and loving way possible. Free of burden and fear and surrounded only by love and peace. Yara, we thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for all you did for our Mom and our family, we will never ever forget you…..

-Maureen K., Hillsdale, NJ

Few people realize what to expect when you are going through the emotional roller coaster that is a terminal cancer diagnosis, which is a good thing. The fact is, you do not know a lot – what to expect, what questions to ask, what will happen, how things will transpire. My family was fortunate enough to have Yara at the end to guide us to the finish line. She was truly a God send and I cannot imagine what this horrible, life altering experience would have been like for my family without her assistance.

Once my wife started hospice care, we were in uncharted territory, where we didn’t speak the language, and had no knowledge of the land. Once Yara entered the picture we were much better equipped to understand the process and become comfortable and accepting of what was going to happen. Having that foresight was truly a blessing and took much of the stress off me to focus on caring for my wife and mentally and emotionally preparing for the inevitable.

Having someone as caring, comforting, and knowledgeable as Yara really was a blessing. I would unequivocally recommend Yara to anyone I know who has to endure this horrible experience. Thank you for everything Yara.

-Jon Y., Glen Rock, NJ

Yara came into our lives when my husband, Steve, was on hospice home care. Steve was a private person and had a very small circle of people he trusted, mostly limited to our extended family and a few close friends.

At first, he felt a little uncomfortable with the fact that Yara was staying long hours to care for him, but soon he was continually asking when she’d be back after her workday was done.

During a frightening time for all those close to Steve, Yara brought warmth and light into our home. She encouraged all of us, even those in our family who are more private with their feelings, to open up to each other. Yara created a comforting atmosphere in which our family could connect with each other and with Steve in his final days. She went above and beyond in her effort to learn from Steve himself and through the family who he was as a person, rather than a patient.

In addition to this, she was skilled and compassionate. She knew exactly what Steve needed regarding his physical comfort; we always felt safer and more relaxed when she was around.

In my husband’s last days, he said she made these miserable times not so miserable. Some of his last words to Yara were "you made the last days of my life, the best days of my life."

– Cheryl G., Montvale, NJ

Yara is an Angel!

My sisters and I met Yara while our mom was home in Hospice. The experience of meeting Yara was beyond our expectations. The day Yara arrived, she immediately made us feel at ease, knowing that she genuinely cared about our mother and us. She asked many questions and took the time to get to know our family. After several hours of getting to know each other, I didn't want Yara to leave. Something about her just made me yearn for this type of care that our mother deserved.

Thank you, Yara, for your selfless, incomparable passion for being a caregiver. You are more than a nurse. You indeed are an Angel to who I will forever be grateful. Wishing you only the best.

-Linda M., Wayne, NJ

Yara from LIVE ON UP was like an angel that came and helped us through a sad and difficult time as our dad transitioned to the end of his life.

Yara gave our family much love, kindness, and support. She explained the technical aspects of what was going on, was a sounding board for us to talk through our fears and sadness, and was an advocate for dad.

Yara helped to ease the burden and stress of taking care of dad's health needs and was able to recommend wonderful and skilled health aids to be with dad when we couldn’t, who were kind, patient, and loving.

We are so grateful she was there for dad and our family.

-Debbie Politi D., East Hanover, NJ

As the end approaches for your loved one it helps to have an angel holding your hand. Yara was our angel. She helped us make the right decisions to keep mom comfortable.

Yara facilitated the difficult discussions and helped us understand the process. Advocating on Mom’s behalf when it was time to let mom go relieved us of the burden.

Mom knew she didn’t have much time left. Yara sat and spoke with her many times which eased mom’s fear giving her a smooth transition.

Yara made the best of a bad situation.

-Ron D., Roseland, NJ

One of the first impressions I got of Yara was how calm and caring she was. I had no idea she worked with hospice patients at that time, nor did I know she was exactly what my parents needed.

My parents have always just wanted “their kids” to care for them and it wasn’t until they met Yara that this changed.

Yara knows no two days for your loved one are the same and her calm, easy going character made it an easy transition for my parents and our family.

When my Dad passed, my mom declined rapidly. Having 9 kids my mom “originally” would ask for us to come, now she asks for Yara.

Yara has made the most positive impact not just on my parents but on all of us during this emotionally demanding phase of life.

Susan W., East Hanover, NJ