Happy New Year 2017

I wish to send out this post regarding how grateful I am to have such Truly Amazing Clients and their Families. You become an extension of a family when you work closely with the Senior Client….but also their Children who are Caregivers to their Parents.

As we move into the new year I have, again, been taught so much by really listening to my Seniors…and maybe what they are not verbally saying. You become a bit of a Sherlock Holmes in softly extracting what they are trying to say, but don’t know how to express it. Listening is a great skill. Calmness and Flexibility is another.

As a Caregiver you have to be flexible. One case comes to mind when my client had a Doctors Appointment. When I arrived she was so nauseated from the 11 pills the Nursing Staff were giving her on an empty stomach every morning. (the medications have been adjusted, and she is given breakfast before any pills are dispensed), but we HAD TO get to the doctors.

My client who was still in her pajamas said that we should take the wastepaper basket with us in the car because of her stomach upset. EXECUTIVE DECISON….Cancel the appointment! Simple as that sounds, others would press to take her to her appointment. And maybe deal with a situation in the car when there is an accident….or in the Doctors Office. Relax…cancel the appointment…call her Daughter and let your client relax and make her some tea.

Learning to lead with a Compassionate Heart and honing those Listening Skills are my mottos.

Namaste, (The God/Goddess within me acknowledges the God/Goddess within you.)

Nancy

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HAPPY NEW YEARS 2013

What intensions have you set for 2013? Was one of them to visit your aging parents more? Well as nice as that is….maybe you just do not have the time to visit aging parents. You have your work, home, family, pets, church and community service that is taking up your time. This is where I can help. If you are using up time away from work? using up vacation time? or your family has demands for soccer games, school outings, work pressures??? Call me and see how I can help your family unit thrive as you struggle to help elderly parents. Just call or e-mail me….Consultations are FREE! HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WISHING YOU…..a Very Merry Christmas, and Love To You….My Amazing Seniors. It has been a pleasure working with you. Have an AMAZING New Year….Hugs to You, Nancy

Hearing Aids for Seniors

I was just at the Hearing Clinic with my 91 year old client for a Hearing Test. It was amazing what they can do these days with hearing tests and hearing aids. I remember my Grandfather with a little box in his pocket and a wire to his ear…that was his hearing aid 50 years ago. Yesterday, I accompanied my client and they had to plug her hearing aids into the computer to adjust the scope to match her hearing level test, and to adjust the volume. There are no little wheels that are volume control anymore! But for an Elderly Senior are they really a help if they cannot clean them properly and have to go into the Hearing Clinic to have the volume adjusted on the computer? Cost for new Hearing Aids $4,000 – $8,000 for the pair….YIKES!  Technology for Seniors is a MYSTERY. 🙁

It Doesn’t Take a Lot of $$$

It really doesn’t take a lot of Money to please the Seniors in your care. My client who had a two week stay in the hospital was complaining about the coffee. I checked with the nurses to see if there was any restrictions to her diet, (she takes her coffee black). And once that was determined I went to the coffee shop in the hospital and bought her a “decent” cup of coffee. Cost $1.95. But her reaction was priceless,  she really appreciated and enjoyed it. A lot of our Seniors are not used to going to a Coffee Shop. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, The Beanery, Esquires….these are all NEW businesses to a Senior that is 80 or 90 years old. So Remember when you have nowhere to go…..just get them out and go for coffee or tea, and maybe a donut or dessert too. That always makes a nice visit and outing.

What do your Senior Parents Need?

What most seniors want is VISITORS. And wouldn’t it be nice if we had the time as un-paid caregivers to visit every day? Most people seek companionship so they don’t feel alone. When I visit my clients, (sometimes in the early evening), they welcome me with open arms, because they are lonely AND SEEK HUMAN COMPANIONSHIP. My services help replace family visits, and give caregivers time with their own family. As well as a nice visit, I water and deadhead their plants, clean up the dishes and kitchen, help with laundry. Wouldn’t it be nice to have quality time with your parents, and not have to DO anything in their space? Plus I have a number of other services that can help you relax at work knowing that your parent has a visitor / companion to help make their day easier.

Companion Services with my Client Today

Simple things……Today I took my client for a simple drive to the beach in White Rock, BC. She is 90 years old and uses a walker. We stopped and had a bowl of clam chowder (with lots of crackers) and coffee. Then we walked a short distance along the boardwalk and sat at a picnic table to watch the children playing in the sand, and the sea gulls looking for hand-outs. The air was salty and smelled of the ocean. IT WAS FABULOUS!

It just takes 2 hours for a drive….some companionship….and some stories shared, to make someones day.

It is about the simple things in life that you cherish.