Joan A. Care Companion in Holden, MA 01520

I raised my two daughters as a stay at home mom in their younger years. I ran a licensed day care for ten years and still maintain a close relationships with several of my former clients, whose own children are now professional adults. I later worked in a variety of fields as an office manager, bookkeeper and event planner. When my elderly parents became ill and needed assistance, I assisted with their care. When my dad passed away in 2014, I left my position and moved into my mothers home in order to keep her from having to live in a nursing home, and became her full time live in caregiver for nine years. This was something that I never thought I could have done, but it ended up being a huge blessing to both me and my mom. In the first few years, although my mom needed assistance with everything from showering, dressing, medication, meals and recreation, she was still sound in mind. As the years progressed, and she declined, her every need became 100% dependent on me. I learned more in those years than I could possibly relate here. I have a real soft spot for elderly people who can no longer do things on their own yet still desire and deserve a quality lifestyle. I look back now and as people used to say to me, "You will never regret this time," I now know what they meant. It was difficult and I lost a lot of opportunities with my kids and grandkids, but I would not change one thing. My own children and grandchildren participated in our lives as much as they could and learned to be accommodating and compassionate to their great grandparents.
I have retired, but I would like to offer companion care to help other adult children who may be caring for their parent. Perhaps your parent lives with you and you have to work, or just need some time to yourself. I am not looking to do physical care such as toileting and so forth. I would like to spend time with your elderly parent or relative doing any of the following:
Making and serving their meal, spending time visiting, helping them and participating with an activity they might enjoy (playing cards, making puzzles, word games, etc.), engaging in conversation they find stimulating, taking rides, going out to lunch, shopping, appointments, etc.I would also assist with getting in and out of chairs, the car and help setting up things they may need help with. I am patient, kind and compassionate and have a good sense of humor. I am not looking for a lot of hours; just a day or two per week.