Professional Caregiving Advice
That’s Made A Difference

Clients tell us that our services have made a difference in so many people's lives. So we thought we'd share them with you.

“Recently, I knew of an elderly woman who was truly alone in the world.  She was not able to care for herself or her financial assets.  Paula met with her and provided a very detailed report that was useful to the woman’s physician and attorney.  Ultimately, a guardianship had to be pursued and Paula very willingly offered direction and support.”

“I recommend Allegheny Geriatric Consultants to anyone needing help in the care of an elderly loved one.  Paula is particularly helpful when adult children face multiple responsibilities and don’t have the time needed to assist aging parents. She can definitely provide insightful planning for the changing needs of the older person.”

Marlene D. Bodden
Assistant Administrator
Overlook Green Assisted-Living

“I’ve found you to always be professional, caring and knowledgable.  I think what makes your management services attractive for clients is that (they’re) efficient and effective, yet sensitive and sensible.”

Karen A. Powers, M.D.
Geriatrician
Classic Care
St Margaret’s Hospital
Pittsburgh

“I live 400 miles away from my mother, and I don’t know what I’d do without Paula’s help.  She does practical things like take her to doctor’s appointments, but she’s there for my mother in all kinds of ways.  Mom talks to her as a friend; she can say things to Paula that she may not be able to say to me.  Paula is a caregiver in every sense of the word.”

Ed Sikov
New York, New York

“As a practicing attorney specializing in estate planning and elder law, I have on occasion needed the professional assistance of Paula Tchirkow.  My most challenging client was an elderly lady, mentally competent, legally blind and living alone in an apartment.  With her permission, I contacted her only living relative, a daughter living in Europe, and together we arranged for Paula to meet my client.  Paula is a ‘take charge’ person and has instant rapport with the elderly.  My client evolved into ‘our’ client who looked forward to Paula’s visits, and genuine warmth grew out of their relationship.  Paula recommended and provided our client with competent caregivers, as well as making unannounced visits several times a week to ensure she was happy with her caregivers and that she was living in a healthy environment.  Paula personally shopped and ran errands when necessary. 

When our elderly client was hospitalized in an emergency situation, Paula remained with her all night until she was admitted and made comfortable in her hospital room, thus allaying her fears in strange surroundings.  After being diagnosed with a terminal illness, she insisted upon remaining in her apartment.  Paula coordinated her care with hospice nurses; corresponded directly with her daughter throughout the months she monitored her mother’s care and continued her visitations until her death. 

Paula relieved me from the day-to-day responsibility of ensuring the care and safety of my elderly client.  I shall not hesitate to call upon her in the future or recommend her to relatives of elderly clients when confronted with ‘seniors who need extra special care’.”

Orlando R. Sodini, Esquire
Thompson, Calkins & Sutter
Pittsburgh, PA

“Older clients need not only accurate legal advice, but advice that is coordinated to meet their related medical, financial, social and psychological needs.  By using geriatric care managers, lawyers can raise the (quality of services) that are being provided to their clients.”

Jeffrey Marshall, Esquire
Past Chair
Pennsylvania Bar Association

“My sister, Virginia and I feel most fortunate having had Paula Tchirkow provide professional, tender, loving care for our cousin Hanna Bechtel for over two years.  Paula’s rapport with Hanna was better than most family members had with her.  She was truly a ray of sunshine in our lives.  We have nothing but praise and the highest regards for her.”

Sara J. Brown
Virginia Horchler
Pittsburgh, PA

“I wanted to write to thank you so much for being Rita’s best friend, and for being able to visit with her in the hospital.  I especially appreciated your story about Rita stopping to look at a flower in the middle of a rainstorm.  That means a lot to me to remember something special to someone else about Rita.  I would love to hear other stories about your visits with Rita.  She certainly loves flowers and nature.  She would like this card.  Paula, it really meant a lot to me to know that you were in Pittsburgh and able to take Rita out on occasion.”

Jean Bruns
Rochester, NY

“You were a tremendous support to our clients.  Being entirely alone and at an advanced age, you provided a caring, supportive relationship to them when they really needed it.  Since our three shared trust grantors are deceased now, I want to thank and commend you for the services you gave them.

“Thank you for your cheerful attitude toward extremely difficult situations.  I intend to request your aid again.”

JoAnne M. Hicks
Trust Officer
PNC Bank, N.A.

“My brother and I want to thank you for the excellent job you have done with our parents. Mom and Dad were adamant about remaining in their own home but I just could not keep the situation under control from across the country.  I don’t know how we could have gotten along without you.

“You have been able to bring order to a difficult situation.  You have been able to establish an excellent rapport with Mom and Dad (and) keep the home care services running smoothly.

“Before you became involved, I could never seem to get complete information about my parents’ medical condition.  You are able to recognize problems…and intervene before they become serious.  I don’t know how we could get along without you.”

Ginny Charles
Pittsburgh, PA

“Thank you very much for your assistance in the matter involving Mr. B.  I found that the report which you prepared for this situation was very helpful in attempting to resolve this matter….  Thanks for a job well done.”

John C. Carlos, Esquire
Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote

“Thank you so much for all you did to arrange my mother’s care, especially for the very thorough and observant assessment report, and your recent visit to see her.  There are several more challenges she’s facing and it’s comforting to know you are there.”

Cleve and Maureen Cowles
Anchorage, Alaska

“…We desperately needed someone whom we could trust to make sure our Aunt’s needs and wishes were carried out.  Paula was wonderful, keeping us informed regularly and offering helpful suggestions.  Paula’s level of compassion, along with her professional approach, gave us great peace of mind at a difficult time in our lives.”

Coni Porter
Pittsburgh, PA

“…I read your nice letter about Carolyn.  I’m so glad she is doing so well.  We really appreciate your work.  (She) has responded better to you than anyone in our family.”

Dave Mortensen
Pittsburgh, PA

“I have found you to be responsible, professional, dependable and effective.  Mother has grown to be quite fond of you.  Because my wife and I have the challenge of being out-of-state caregivers, it is comforting to work with you when we (can’t)…get to Pittsburgh as often as we would like.”

Wayne Tamarelli
Basking Ridge, New Jersey

“During Helen’s years at The Woodwell, Paula visited her regularly, sometimes took her to the doctor, to lunch and did shopping for her….Helen looked forward to these visits.  Paula became a real friend to (her).  Paula Tchirkow is a concerned person, kind and sympathetic.

Edith Thompson
Pittsburgh, PA

“I realized that Dad was just not getting along well after mother’s death, and it seemed that he was ready for assisted living.  The choices were overwhelming and my schedule did not allow me to explore our options.  Your assistance in narrowing the choice of appropriate facilities took the worry out of the process…and helped us make a responsible choice.  Your on-going visits to Dad to provide support and monitoring have ensured a healthy transition, and have given me peace of mind.”

Marcia Frankley, M.D.
St. Paul, Minnesota

“Ms. Tchirkow is well qualified by combination of education, experience and personality to provide high quality service to the elderly and their families.  She is particularly effective in relating to individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.”

Tim Shelley, LSW
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
University of Pittsburgh

“Paula, with patience, persistence and creativity, helped to overcome a client's resistance to outside assistance and to relive the client's family of some of the burden of her care.”

Andrew L. Gespass
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP 
Pittsburgh, PA

“I have employed Paula Tchirkow extensively over the last few years in dealing with customers who are bipolar…aging,…mentally retarded, etc….  I have found her to be not only highly professional, but also compassionate, which is equally important in dealing with these very sensitive issues.  I would recommend her employment to anyone.”

Henry C. Flood, Jr.
Vice President
PNC Bank, N.A.
Pittsburgh, PA

“As my clients age, their families and I often need assistance in assuring that they have the best quality of life possible.  When Paula is involved as a client's advocate, the family and I can have peace of mind.  Paula is compassionate, efficient, and a true hero for her clients, their families and their advisors.”

Wendy Heleen, Esq.
Goehring, Rutter and Boehm
Pittsburgh, PA

“Geriatric care managers serve an important role in caregiving for a family member.  Their expertise allows them to identify caregiving deficiencies before a crisis occurs and also provides invaluable assistance where a crisis has already developed.”

William Browning
President
National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc.
www.elderlaw.us

“I have worked with Paula Tchirkow on various guardianship matters over the last several years.  Her educational background and her extensive experience as a Certified Care Manager make her uniquely qualified to handle very difficult guardianships.”

Joan Shoemaker, Esq.
Pittsburgh, PA

“I have practiced estate and trust law in the Pittsburgh area for over 25 years.  When in need of a qualified social worker, I have used Paula Tchirkow (who)…has… provided excellent services for my clients.  Paula has the education, training, experience and personality that one needs in such situations.  You can rely upon her.”

Michael R. Ford, Esquire
Michael R. Ford, PC

“Mrs. Tchirkow has provided Geriatric Care Management services to our clients for well over a decade and we value her expertise.  Paula exhibits a high degree of compassion and skill in various client situations. We trust her judgment and have no hesitation in referring our most valued clients and their families to Mrs. Tchirkow for experienced, professional care.”

Henry F. Devens
Vice President/Manager
Estates/Guardian Group
PNC Advisors
PNC Bank
Pittsburgh, PA
henry.devens@pncadvisors.com

“Paula Tchirkow is a fine professional who has redefined the concept of ‘proactive personalized care’ for the elderly and infirm.  She is extraordinarily skilled in anticipating difficulties before they arise and providing optimal solutions with no loss of time.  Paula’s characteristic sensitivity, creativity and competence gave me priceless peace of mind during my mother’s final illness.  By quickly establishing an atmosphere of trust and empathy in her relationship with my mother, Paula acted as an extension of myself, bridging the thousands of miles between us.  I cannot recommend Paula highly enough to anyone seeking the best possible care for their loved one!”

Barbara Zach-Miller
Utzigen, Switzerland