Clients, family and friends say...
Friend and Client Arley
Arley was my first client. While I drove to our first visit 2 great blue herons flew low over my car. I took this as a omen. When I met Arley one of our greatest connections was our shared interest in birds and nature. We were off to a good beginning, things only got better. See our wren bird house building story and other memories on the experiences page.
Comments by Beck Arley's daughter:
I am Arley's daughter. We had the great fortune of Margaret entering our lives when the care giver we had moved away. We hired Margaret through Home Instead and I truly feel we were blessed to have her in our lives. From the first day, her focus and commitment was helping my Dad live each day to the fullest possible. Margaret strived to find common interests and there were lots! Birds and baking, reading and reminiscing, woodworking and chatting. I would recommend Margaret to anyone looking for someone reliable, honest, perceptive and above all caring, to be a wonderful companion to his/her loved one. I could go on and on - Margaret is truly a wonderful person and should go in the dictionary as the definition of CAREGIVER.
Comments by Beck Arley's daughter:
I am Arley's daughter. We had the great fortune of Margaret entering our lives when the care giver we had moved away. We hired Margaret through Home Instead and I truly feel we were blessed to have her in our lives. From the first day, her focus and commitment was helping my Dad live each day to the fullest possible. Margaret strived to find common interests and there were lots! Birds and baking, reading and reminiscing, woodworking and chatting. I would recommend Margaret to anyone looking for someone reliable, honest, perceptive and above all caring, to be a wonderful companion to his/her loved one. I could go on and on - Margaret is truly a wonderful person and should go in the dictionary as the definition of CAREGIVER.
Friend and Client Bob
It's amazing when 2 people come together in a mutual commitment and a relationship develops. Bob was an extremely smart and accomplished man. He was also very private and wanted it that way. It took time to ease my way into a position of trust. It took interactions that showed Bob that I would honor his choices. Right off we agreed honest communications were a must. He in turn was gracious and patient with me. Then we moved on to meaningful talks and shared activites... Bob passed quietly at home. This was a new experience for me, however knowing who Bob was and what he wanted I felt good about being there for him.
Comments by daughter Suzanne RN B.S.U.
I moved to the East Coast, and my father was living alone at home in Ann Arbor when is health started to decline. He was reluctant to hire someone to help him around the house. He had been very independent and a private person. My husband asked Margaret if she was willing to accept my father as a client. Margaret won my fathers trust. He found Margaret to be a hard worker and respectful of his wishes. I found Margaret to be very supportive in maintaining my fathers independence.
Margaret had found my father had died (after conferring with me) she handled the transfer of his body to the funeral home and cleaned up after the medical examiner. Margaret felt honored to do this for my father. I cannot recommend Margaret highly enough. She can provide the support that enables an elder person to continue living at home.
Comments by Bob's niece Armine
Margaret is a very tender and caring person. She took care of my uncle because of his age. He was a loner and somewhat of a recluse. She took care of his bodily needs, did errands and even cooked his favorite foods. He became very fond of her and considered her family. After meeting her the first time, I also felt the same way. I was very comfortable having her as his care giver.
Comments by daughter Suzanne RN B.S.U.
I moved to the East Coast, and my father was living alone at home in Ann Arbor when is health started to decline. He was reluctant to hire someone to help him around the house. He had been very independent and a private person. My husband asked Margaret if she was willing to accept my father as a client. Margaret won my fathers trust. He found Margaret to be a hard worker and respectful of his wishes. I found Margaret to be very supportive in maintaining my fathers independence.
Margaret had found my father had died (after conferring with me) she handled the transfer of his body to the funeral home and cleaned up after the medical examiner. Margaret felt honored to do this for my father. I cannot recommend Margaret highly enough. She can provide the support that enables an elder person to continue living at home.
Comments by Bob's niece Armine
Margaret is a very tender and caring person. She took care of my uncle because of his age. He was a loner and somewhat of a recluse. She took care of his bodily needs, did errands and even cooked his favorite foods. He became very fond of her and considered her family. After meeting her the first time, I also felt the same way. I was very comfortable having her as his care giver.
Friend and current client Joan
I have worked for Joan and her husband for about 2 years. I clean and help out with special jobs every other week.
I do routine cleaning maintenance and pitch in with extra projects. I have raked, weeded and planted in the yard, wrapped gifts, hung paintings, cleaned out and organized cupboards, found a handy woman to repair the covered porch. I often stop on my way over to pick up supplies. I took bedding to the laundry mat. I have done annual cleaning chores such as cleaning screens, sweeping exterior walks and over hangs of spider webs. I love to have discussions with Joan. She is a amazing woman who at 83 plays her baby grand piano and reads daily. She is a care giver to her long time husband. My perk is getting to listen to her play/ practice classical music sometimes, she throws in a jazzy tune for me.
comments by: Joan
Margaret cleans our house and does an excellent job. However, a clean house is only a small part of what she accomplishes. She is an artist who helps our enviroment look more attractive. She is very self directing and does whatever seems to need doing, including laundry, bed changing, and sometimes weeding the garden.
Margaret is a person who likes people and likes to help them which she does with many small acts of kindness. I highly recommend her.
Joan
I do routine cleaning maintenance and pitch in with extra projects. I have raked, weeded and planted in the yard, wrapped gifts, hung paintings, cleaned out and organized cupboards, found a handy woman to repair the covered porch. I often stop on my way over to pick up supplies. I took bedding to the laundry mat. I have done annual cleaning chores such as cleaning screens, sweeping exterior walks and over hangs of spider webs. I love to have discussions with Joan. She is a amazing woman who at 83 plays her baby grand piano and reads daily. She is a care giver to her long time husband. My perk is getting to listen to her play/ practice classical music sometimes, she throws in a jazzy tune for me.
comments by: Joan
Margaret cleans our house and does an excellent job. However, a clean house is only a small part of what she accomplishes. She is an artist who helps our enviroment look more attractive. She is very self directing and does whatever seems to need doing, including laundry, bed changing, and sometimes weeding the garden.
Margaret is a person who likes people and likes to help them which she does with many small acts of kindness. I highly recommend her.
Joan
Friend and Client Mickey
I think of some of my elder friends and clients as mentors. Mickey falls into that classification. She has many strengths of character and ways of thinking that I would rely on. I would often ask her advise or opinion on current affair and educational issues. Mickey too, is a reclusive woman, she has seen the world,raised a family, taught and was a role model for children. She worked for her community and had an understanding and empathy for all living beings. It is now a time to watch the leaves change and read all she wants. I worked for her for 2 years until work closer to home arrived and I felt her care could be turned over to a friend Marie who lived near by.
Comments by Mickey's daughter ...
Margaret Shaw defines the term "care giver." She gives of herself -physically and emotionally - she truly cares for her clients with all her heart. Margaret worked for our mother for two years so we well know her many strengths. Margaret is scrupulously honest. She was always alert to our mother's needs, with her health and safety paramount. Margaret is an artist and a naturally creative soul. She did not just do a job and put in her hours, but walked in the house intent on making our mother's day better - more fulfilled and happier. Sincerely, Mary Street Alinder
Comments by Mickey's daughter ...
Margaret Shaw defines the term "care giver." She gives of herself -physically and emotionally - she truly cares for her clients with all her heart. Margaret worked for our mother for two years so we well know her many strengths. Margaret is scrupulously honest. She was always alert to our mother's needs, with her health and safety paramount. Margaret is an artist and a naturally creative soul. She did not just do a job and put in her hours, but walked in the house intent on making our mother's day better - more fulfilled and happier. Sincerely, Mary Street Alinder
Friends and associates say...
Pat Kramer R.N. Midwife
Margaret Shaw has been in my life for 24 years. I had the privilege of assisting her at both of her home births. Margaret and I live in the same small town and are friends. I am very supportive and happy about Margaret's independent care giving service Mindful Living Elder Care. We agree this is a needed position in our community. As a midwife I have seen the beauty of women birthing in the comfort of their own home surrounded by loved ones for over 30 years. As a Hospice nurse I have witnessed people dying in the comfort of their familiar surroundings. Margaret is able to assist individuals and families in taking care of one another in the comfort of their home. She takes care of the business of life while imparting the wisdom of a saye-femme. A person relaxes in her calm presence. Everyone needs a grandmother in Margaret's likeness to assist them through this passage in life.
Margaret Shaw has been in my life for 24 years. I had the privilege of assisting her at both of her home births. Margaret and I live in the same small town and are friends. I am very supportive and happy about Margaret's independent care giving service Mindful Living Elder Care. We agree this is a needed position in our community. As a midwife I have seen the beauty of women birthing in the comfort of their own home surrounded by loved ones for over 30 years. As a Hospice nurse I have witnessed people dying in the comfort of their familiar surroundings. Margaret is able to assist individuals and families in taking care of one another in the comfort of their home. She takes care of the business of life while imparting the wisdom of a saye-femme. A person relaxes in her calm presence. Everyone needs a grandmother in Margaret's likeness to assist them through this passage in life.