Home, Together, 62 Years and Counting
Jaime (87) and Maria (84) Cordoniz’s love story began in the 1960s on the island of São Miguel, Azores. Jaime saw Maria walking down the street and knew instantly she was the one. Before he left for America to build a better future, he made her a promise: he would return, marry her, and bring her with him. After three years of letters, he did just that. Today, they have been married for 62 years, building their life here while staying deeply connected to the Portuguese culture that has always grounded them.
In recent years, both Maria and Jaime have needed home health care to remain safe and well at home, where they most want to be. They chose Community Nurse.
For the Cordoniz family, communication is everything. Community Nurse caregivers who speak Portuguese help Maria and Jaime feel understood and respected. This is especially important for Jaime, who has significant hearing loss and can follow conversations more easily in his native language. That comfort builds trust, and trust is the foundation of great care.
The generosity of Community Nurse donors provided the Cordoniz family critical support when they needed it most. Supporter funding made it possible to bring in Barbara, the registered dietitian, to create a low-sodium meal plan and provide steady monthly check-in calls from Michelle, the Community Support Services Coordinator, helping the family stay organized, feel reassured, and keeping Maria and Jaime safe at home.
When the referral was made, the team began services the very next day. For families under stress, that kind of responsiveness matters, and Community Nurse is known for showing up when it counts.
Just as important as clinical skill is the spirit caregivers bring into the home. Maria and Jaime’s teams were consistently encouraging and optimistic, helping them feel capable, hopeful, and motivated throughout their recovery. Marcia, PTA, is highlighted by the family as really going “above and beyond.”
Their son, Jim, is the couple’s primary caregiver. As a health care professional, he knows the difference that high quality home health care makes, and he says his parents always ask for Community Nurse, even when other options are offered. “We will always choose Community Nurse, no question,” he stated.
Your support makes stories like the Cordoniz family’s possible. Donor generosity helps Community Nurse respond quickly, provide culturally responsive care, and offer added services, like nutrition support, that help patients heal, manage complex conditions, and remain at home with dignity. Thank you for standing with local families and ensuring compassionate home care is there when it’s needed most.