Caregivers pamper Milwaukee area seniors ahead of Mother's Day: "The most special day of the year"



HARTLAND -- Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th -- and a local caregiver agency wants to make every moment leading up to it meaningful.

During the first week of May, local caregivers with Visiting Angels surprised area seniors with new hairstyles, makeup and other treats -- all for Mother’s Day.

In the soothing comforts of her own home, Liz Van Erem on Tuesday, May 3rd got a salon-style pampering.

"I'm going to curl her hair, kind of give it some body," said Susan Gallagher, a Visiting Angels caregiver.

Gallagher surprised Van Erem with an early Mother's Day makeover.

"It sounded fun. I said yes right away," said Van Erem. "I never had it before, never anything like this."

At 80 years old, Van Erem has done her fair share of taking care of others.

"I have four kids of my own and my husband has one. We have 17 grandchildren between the two of us. We have together seven great-grandchildren," said Van Erem.

Tuesday was her chance to be queen for the day, and feel as vibrant as her manicure.

The special treatment didn't  just involve the physical makeover, but extra care was also given in other ways, like lending a helping hand.

"We are helping families prepare, whether it's cleaning their house, getting them ready in the morning, getting them prepared for the families to come, getting them all dressed up," said Gallagher.

Van Erem said she was looking forward to Mother's Day on Sunday and visiting with loved ones from out of town. But the joy of preparing for it meant just as much.

"The most special day in the whole year the day I became a mother, because that's what I always wanted to be," said Van Erem.

Visiting Angels will be boosting spirits all week long ahead of Mother's Day -- visiting elderly mothers, widows and those who don't have family nearby. In addition to makeovers, caregivers have also delivered flowers and treats.