SoCal company helps decorate home for elderly couple during holidays

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Decorations can bring great joy during the holidays, which is why a Southern California company stepped in to help deck the halls for seniors who otherwise may not be able to decorate their home.

For decades, Harmel Dean and his wife Claudette have loved Christmas time.

"It's a time of joy," Harmel said.

Claudette was usually caring for others as a nurse, but after her recent stroke, Harmel now cares for her despite his recent Alzheimer's diagnosis.

"It's a challenging time," Harmel said.

So challenging in fact that the Deans were set to forgo a Christmas celebration this year. That was until Synergy Home Care stepped up to pay it forward.

"I just want to bring them some joy. I want to bring them a little bit of what they had before," Omar Bataineh with Synergy Home Care explained.

Bataineh calls himself an "elder elf" as he helps deck the halls with Christmas cheer. He helped decorate Harmel and Claudette's home, and even helped them get a Christmas tree.

"It brings back fond memories," Harmel said.

"It brought happiness to my heart," Bataineh said. "I know that for sure."

Bataineh said he hoped his story would be a reminder to everyone in the community to get out and help the elderly, especially during the holiday season.

"I hope that people are more caring and kind to their fellow neighbors," Bataineh said.

Claudette, who hasn't been able to speak much since her stroke, had just one message to share.

"The message is, I love everybody," she said.

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