Mindful Living Assistance for Elders

Today for Peg

Picked greenery

Made 7 swags

Hung on ice house door.

Hung on wood shed and house doors.

I sweeper and clean house for Marie. A sharp nature lover who was golfing til last year. A independent 91 who drives locally and  bakes often. It feels good to do the house chores Marie

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 tell client L she should teach yoga. Not to many 95 year elders can bend and reach as she does. And no she is not pain free.

Today my heart was warmed again by my association with my first client, Arley's family. See what Becky wrote on What others say page under her father's entry.
I was amazed because just today my memory was jogged by several things that happened in my today that linked directly to memories and experiences with Arley. Early today I was sharing with a client how Arley and I made bread with his bread machine and how the taste of it warm from baking wasn't the only benefit, that discussions of early memories and the fragrance wafting down the hall inspired several neighbors to comment. Then on my way home i stopped to watch egrets using binoculars from my car window on a wet land area. I was given Arley's scope by Becky and I wished I'd had it to see these distance birds fish. Arley and I watched many birds together and i would keep my eye out and share stories of what I saw on my way to meet him. After he passed It was quite a while before I got used to the idea that I didn't have a interested party to relay my sitings with. Still on many occasions Arley comes to mind. He shares my enthusiasm with nature in spirit.

Last night I spoke to the Manchester Kiwanis group in Manchester. Which was a delightful experience. Dinner was available at the meeting place, Dan's River Grill and yes, they each contribute to the cost, but well worth the membership to eat the food and enjoy the friendly spirited group of good doers. I think I held their attention speaking to getting the word out about my Elder Assistant services to elders who they might know who could use some help. I felt good leaving that meeting. I spoke from my heart and I do believe it worked, my heart didn't want to stop sharing stories of my elder friendships.
I hope to speak more to service groups, let me know if you are part of one that I can share with.

I am working diligently on networking to get out the services I offer.  I hope to dive into the social network and request you all share my site and name to colleagues, and so on with in your own online venues. I am forging ahead to learn about facebook, twitter and blogging. They say learning new skills keeps the brain flexible. Not only will you be helping me find work but you will help carve out new friendships and mentor relationships for elders.

The thing about aging , is that relationships circles shrink. Others pass on, or their infirmities keep them isolated, some friends become victims of dementia. A care giver can substitute, become a link to offer friendship and offer sincere opportunities to the elder to share their life experiences and every day life blessings. I love this type of interaction. It can create a bridge from lonesome to mentor-ship. Teach me how you made potato salad, tell me stories of holiday traditions while I boil potatoes and fold laundry. These are the connections you can help make by mentioning my name.

I am often hired by the adult children of the elderly. They may be pretty darn independent but rely on their kids for outreach needs etc. Spread the word for me to your co-workers, they may need my services for a elder in their life. thanks.

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