Letters written to the practice, kept here as they were sent.
Leslie Ann Keller
During my mother’s final year of life, Dr. Hiren Patel was our ‘saving grace.’ I cannot recommend a physician more highly. Dr. Patel combines the best of professionalism and compassion, deep caring for the individual. He displays great respect for elders and their families, his life’s work is a calling. Throughout the difficult periods of my mother’s decline I had the utmost confidence in Dr. Patel’s medical judgment. Yet, there was also a mutual trust and respect, as Dr. Patel listened closely to to all I shared regarding my own intuitions about my mother’s condition.
Hiren Patel is extremely gifted, caring, knowledgable and humble. If only all our elders could have such a physician caring for them.
Betty Swarthout
It is with great pleasure I give support to Dr. H. Patel in his desire to reach out to educate about serving in the field of Geriatric Medicine, especially in Western North Carolina. The population of elderly citizens is growing in this area of the State.
Currently Dr. Patel and his staff have been medically caring for my husband in a local health center in Asheville. They have been caring and on top of his daily needs as he suffers with dementia.
We both have received care for unexpected health care in the past and I would express total support of his sharing experiences and knowledge of Geriatric Medicine. He is a caring and compassionate person.
Carol Greenspan
I have appreciated your care over the years of my mother Irene Hoefener. You always assessed the full nature of her health, and looked for other ways to assist her quality of life-using medication as an end resort. Your manner was always kind and respectful, and Mom trusted you and looked forward to seeing you.
With appreciation,
Gail Hipkins
As a patient of Dr. Patel for several years, I sincerely appreciate his knowledge, wisdom, and care in helping me face the challenges of advancing age. I have never encountered a doctor more dedicated to his patients, or more concerned for them as individuals. His love is reflected in every touch, contact, and conversation. Thank you, Dr. Patel!
Maurie McClure
As our mother aged into her nineties, our family took a team approach to providing the extra care that was required to maintain her health, safety and well-being. In Mom’s final few years, Dr. Hiren Patel became a key member of “Team Nana.” He consistently modeled attention, respect and compassion in every interaction with Mom and with our entire family. The breadth and depth of his expertise in the field of gerontology was shared generously in response to our many questions and concerns regarding Mom’s care. At the same time, Dr. Patel was also willing to learn from Mom and from us, by patiently and actively listening to our family history and our preferences for Mom’s care and her quality of life.
We particularly appreciated his “less is more” approach toward medication, and he carefully and skillfully reduced Mom’s prescription regime to a sustainable, yet still effective, level. On the other hand, when Mom began to be distressed by increasing anxiety, Dr. Patel gently guided us in accepting, on Mom’s behalf, appropriate medication that helped her to be much more comfortable and at ease day to day. Thus, the entire family’s peace of mind benefitted.
Witnessing a beloved family member’s aging and decline is profoundly challenging and at times, heartbreaking. Obviously, no cure exists, but with wisdom, skill, and compassion, healing for the whole family is possible. Dr. Hiren Patel brings this kind of healing to his work in elder care.
Respectfully submitted,
Shane Moodie
Dr. Patel was a godsend to our family during the final three years of our beloved Mom’s life. He invested precious time to build meaningful and heartfelt relationships with Mom and all of us during his weekly visits. Dr. Patel is unfailingly patient-centered, and also family-centered, achieving a wholistic approach which dignifies both the patient and family bonds. He took all of our concerns and questions into careful consideration, and always explained his medical findings and recommendations.
We appreciated Dr. Patel’s philosophy and approach to medication. He collaborated with her cardiologist to successfully reduce some of her heart meds. Yet when Mom’s dementia caused upsetting episodes of aggression, which threatened to jeopardize her continued residency at the facility, Dr. Patel introduced us to a medication which successfully alleviated these problems but left Mom’s dignity, spirit, and core liveliness intact. A great relief for Mom, our family, and the facility staff, and another example of his commitment to removing obstacles and serving as a dedicated advocate for Mom and our family.
Dr. Patel’s essence is lovingness & respect, calmness & compassion, and brilliant competence & wisdom in the field of geriatric care.
John and Susan Poulos
To Everyone listening,
Dr Patel took care of our 94 yr old mother and our Aunt, both in long term care. He was there 24/7 when you needed him. No question was too bothersome for him to answer, and he loved a new challenge.
We felt comfortable knowing our mother was under his care. She only spoke Greek, but managed to communicate any illness or pain she had . Dr Patel was the most sympathetic, caring, loving and understanding doctor we have ever known .
He always made sure momma felt good and had what ever medications she needed, and removed any he felt wasn’t working for her . He went above and beyond what doctors do nowadays. He is dedicated to taking care of the patient. We could leave her at night and not worry about her well-being. If it wasn’t for Dr. Patel’s care momma would not have lived as long as she did.
We are truly grateful that we became close to Dr Patel as a doctor and friend .
We were heartbroken when he transferred from The Lodge in Asheville. He made older people feel comfortable and happy he was their doctor.
Not only from our family, but everyone he took care of had nothing but the best to say the great doctor he is. We felt blessed to have Dr. Patel in our life.
Very professional, but at the same time you felt like he was family taking care of his own.
With all our love and respect,
Edward and Donna Reigner
It is our privilege to share the experience we had with Dr. Hiren Patel. We met Dr. Patel at the facility where our 92 year old aunt was residing. We realized we had discovered a treasure the week she moved in when he met with her for her initial medical interview. Kneeling on the floor in front of her to be at eye level, he spoke directly to her, glancing back at us just occasionally. He genuinely valued the "wisdom-filled" folks, as he referred to his elderly patients.
Because we visited often, we saw Dr. Patel often, interacting with our aunt, staff, and other residents. We observed his calm response to an urgent situation when another resident suffered a fall. Donna, a retired nurse, was the first to hear her cry out and went to her aid. Dr. Patel came immediately, reassuring all, calming the patient, and taking care of the medical needs in a caring, professional way.
During our aunt's time at the facility, as her dementia progressed, he always treated her with great respect. Dr. Patel always received our phone calls concerning our aunt, or just to listen to us and reassure us.
As her end drew near, Dr. Patel communicated often with us, giving us time to return from a trip. We elected to not use hospice since we were receiving the same care from him and his staff that we would have received from hospice.
There are many more accolades we could share, but suffice it to say, as we approach our final days, we would hope to have the same care that our aunt received from Dr. Patel.
PNW
Good news from my last end. I have one more visit with Wound Center on 11/4 & the doctor believes it will be last visit. Remember you telling me process would take 3 to 6 months. If the doctor is correct process took slightly 4 months. Thank you so much for your wonderful care & thoughtfulness while at Aston Park. Also for making sure I had home health when home. Your concern did wonders for me & I'm almost through one phase. Not sure about blood clot but go for sonogram on Tuesday. [...] Hopefully they will be correct this time. So thank you most of all to you for thoughtfulness in setting me up with WellCare center, the first nurse who visited me for her knowledge & know how & the wonderful doctor at the Wound Center. Without you & the care I received from everyone don't know if I would have healed as fast as I did. So once again thank you from the bottom of my heart for your medical knowledge, kindness & thoughtfulness. As always you helped me. [...] As long as I live will never forget you & your unending kindness. Thank you.
