Service Options
The primary goal of this service is to build a genuine genuine relationship which supports the client's social engagement system for their optimal mental health.
This service provides great peace of mind to friends and family who aren't able to spend as much time with their loved one as they'd like - you're really hiring another family member or friend to truly care for your loved one. This service greatly increases the quality of life for the client. This service can help someone stay independent in their own home longer than they'd be able otherwise and is perfect as they gradually transition out of their home into a care facility.
In addition to establishing a trusting relationship the care giver can provide:
* customized exercises to help prevent falling
* monitoring of posture and movement
* home modifications for preventing falls
* customized relaxation exercises
* development and implementation of systems to support memory
* light housekeeping
* home organization
* home downsizing
* meal planning and prep
* minor wound care
* budget planning and monitoring
* monitoring of health issues
* activities the client enjoys (such as music, walks, games, crafts, cooking)
This service provides great peace of mind to friends and family who aren't able to spend as much time with their loved one as they'd like - you're really hiring another family member or friend to truly care for your loved one. This service greatly increases the quality of life for the client. This service can help someone stay independent in their own home longer than they'd be able otherwise and is perfect as they gradually transition out of their home into a care facility.
In addition to establishing a trusting relationship the care giver can provide:
* customized exercises to help prevent falling
* monitoring of posture and movement
* home modifications for preventing falls
* customized relaxation exercises
* development and implementation of systems to support memory
* light housekeeping
* home organization
* home downsizing
* meal planning and prep
* minor wound care
* budget planning and monitoring
* monitoring of health issues
* activities the client enjoys (such as music, walks, games, crafts, cooking)
examples of possible contracts
Example 1: Mitch gets two home visits each week. He has other care to manage wounds, cleaning, and meals, so the our time can be pure fun and relaxation. The other care rotates quite a bit which isn't great for Mike's anxiety. Having my visits be so predictable helps calm him. I take the lead so he doesn't have the anxiety of making too many choices. We do breathing exercises and healthy self-talk before we go for walks because walks usually make him nervous. He's able to say some things to the dog he isn't comfortable saying to people so we get a deeper look at his needs that way. Sometimes he asks to have his photo taken with the dog and we put the pics on his bulletin board. On rainy days we build models, do puzzles, or I read to him, with the dog lying on the floor between us. Everyone involved with his care, including me, use a log to keep each other informed.
Example 2: Jean recently had a knee replacement. She used to be quite active so this healing time with severely reduced activity is frustrating for her. She hired me herself to receive three visits each week for the first month of her healing. She really enjoys interacting with the dog while I do some of the housework that she can't yet do. She takes the lead, knowing exactly what she wants, calling out instructions from the sofa where she enjoys the dog. I help her monitor the healing and go through the range of motion exercises her doctor has suggested. Sometimes we do meal prep together. As the wound heals and she regains use of her knee we will increase the amount of yoga we do to strengthen her legs and steady her balance.
Example 3: Stan, who lives alone, is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, and gets two visits each week. His family hired me. If the weather is good we sit on the deck and/or walk around the yard and talk about his gardens. If it's cold outside I make tea for us and we enjoy it while looking over his old photo albums. Sometimes Sam plays the piano "for the dog" while I clean a little. He likes help creating a grocery list and I leave a detailed note for things he has to take care of in the next few days, like taking the rubbish to the street and going to his driving range practice. He loves to make the dog do tricks. I monitor for signs that the Alzheimer's has progressed to the point where he needs more care. I give the family an update after each visit.
Example 4: Dale is struggling a little because his wife recently went into a care home. His daughters hired me. We are currently doing three visits each week and will reduce when/if he's ready. He visits with the dog while I do a quick look around the house to see if anything needs attention, maybe switching out dirty linens for new ones, adding to his grocery list or letting his daughters know that it appears he's only eaten frozen pizza all week. He likes to keep the TV on while we play crib. The dog sits beside him and he talks to the dog about what a bad player I am. I encourage him to come outside and tell me about his garden, or come into the kitchen to tell me about the pictures on his fridge so he's moving a little. He doesn't initiate much conversation but is happy to answer questions about his wife and life in the military.
*Examples are amalgamations of actual experience, with names changed
