Letticia Hernandez is one of the amazing, compassionate caregivers working at A Peaceful Way Home Care in Palos Verdes. “I know you’re not supposed to take your job personally, but I can’t help it. I do. When I do my job, I like to take care of my clients like they’re my grandma.”
Growing up in Uruguay, as a young child after her parents divorced, Letticia lived with her grandmother. She loved cooking together with her. She loved learning from her. She loved hearing the stories of family and tradition and history from her.
Letticia loves and misses her 83-year-old grandmother Olga dearly, and to this day, Letticia calls her every weekend, Saturday and Sunday. Olga shares her recipes with Letticia over the phone. They are still cooking “together” after all this time.
The experience of living with her grandmother during her formative years had a long-lasting effect on Letticia. She enjoys being with older people. She spends hours with her elderly neighbor.
When Letticia came to the United States in 1991, her friend Laura introduced her to elder care. “Come with me and I’ll show you a job to see if you like it.” Through Laura, Letticia began working at a nursing center in Lomita. She took to it like a fish to water. She immediately enjoyed helping others and working with older adults. Her supervisor encouraged her to go to school to earn her certification and licenses. In 1992, Letticia received her designation as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Home Health Aide.
Letticia has also experience working in convalescent homes, private homes, and in providing hospice care.
“I enjoy being with older people – it’s just part of who I am. I always learn something new when they talk about their family, cooking, and where they are from. I like it.”
Having worked with Terry McGovern briefly some time ago, Letticia was quickly hired back to A Peaceful Way Home Care when she stopped by the office in early 2019. “She’s highly skilled and is very passionate about her work. Leticia genuinely cares about our clients and takes pride in what she does. She is a team player and willing to fill in for other shifts when needed,” says McGovern.
For the last eight months Letticia has been helping to care for an 83-year-old woman in Palos Verdes who has 24-hour care. “We have become good friends and enjoy laughing together. She has a beautiful garden, so I’ll pick a flower and put it on her table. She likes that. We have a lot in common.”
Letticia likes working at A Peaceful Way Home Care in Palos Verdes. “Everyone is very nice. I feel comfortable with the company. I love what I do, and I do it with my whole heart. I am very blessed.”
In her spare time, Zumba is her favorite thing to do. She also enjoys reading non-fiction and spending a lot of time with her 1-½ year-old grandson and 3-month-old granddaughter who live in the South Bay. Maybe they’ll soon enjoy cooking with their grandmother as much as Letticia did with hers.