Mindful Living Assistance for Elders

Today was a full day, beginning with the basement freezer defrost. Refilled bird feeder and organized seed storage to easily access from garage. Cleaned garage fridge for Holiday over flow use. Made plant cage and installed, making coat hanger U stakes to hold down. And cleared yard of garden hose etc. Strung extension cords and placed electrical outlet plugin for remote control use, placed Santa and Frosty on lawn hooking to outlet. Back indoors I cleaned up and put away many pots used to defrost, dust mopped and mopped main floors. Ending up with load of rag laundry. All under the eye of my faithful companion Joey.

Garden and garden related projects.
This is a cage i built to protect plant from rabbit munching for Ginny. I made 7 other smaller versions for the roses from materials she had on hand. Do it with what you have if possible. I also installed rabbit fencing around rose garden, although we had to purchase posts and roll fence. Ready for winter after she and grandchildren placed protective cones over rose bushes.

Should have taken a before picture. After I defrosted an old fashion freezer. Hot water method. like new 30 years ago. Ready for ice cream.

Yard clean up and prep for winter. I love to work outside doing the tasks that are difficult for Elders. Coiled hoses and set up extension cords for Christmas lights today. With a indoors controller Ginny can turn her lights off and 6 hrs later they turn off.

I work as an independent care giver. That means I have no boss, no one stands between me and the client. We negotiate the job and it's description. I am a non-medical care giver. I am not a nurse. I can be shown how to perform needed tasks. I have good eyes and can see what else needs to be done. I won't stop with the job description. I like to keep busy and find mutual things to do with my client to keep them engaged in life. I strive to involve them in tasks I do, however I do not insist they do so. I  can work quickly and competently to get back to client interaction they are looking forward to, fun stuff. My time with a elder client includes both chores and companionship. If necessary I build that companionship time into my chore routine. I have had clients who did not want companionship, I can respect that and attempt to build in simple acts of kindness and step back.
  The most important thing to me is having a honest relationship where the client leads the way. I do need to develop a bond where communication can flourish so I can listen and the elder can express their wishes.

    Home care and assistance costs less then assisted living / nursing home care. I find many elders want to stay in familiar surroundings and personal belongings. There are advantages to moving to assisted living for many, however for those who want to live out their days at home, I can help you do that. I do not however have back up, if I am sick or need personal time I do not have a substitute to send in my place. I try to make up time I miss and do not miss very much work.

 I have worked for a service and there are many good reasons to hire a reputable one. The one i began working for and was trained by was Home Instead. They are great people and very responsive to client needs and offer a lot of security.
   The biggest problem for going through one is the cost. They have to charge more to cover their overhead: pay employees, train employees, insurance etc... The best thing is the back up they offer, they will send in a substitute when your care giver is sick or needs personal time. Also they make it very easy to cancel care giver service for a specific time if you give 24 hr notice. This can help keep the costs down for the client.

A care giver can become a god send, and a good friend. It is important that care giver and client establish a fondness for one another. Choose one with care. All the  care givers I know are trustworthy kind loving people. I am!
Margaret