Elder Care in Ottawa, Ontario

Why do I enjoy working with the elderly? I was lucky enough to have not one, but three amazing mothers: my mom, my aunt, and my grandmother who made me feel safe, loved and special. My grandmother and my aunt taught me how to sew, how to polish silver, and how to make a good cup of tea. Through their loving guidance, I learned to trust, to forgive, to be patient, and to be kind. Working with seniors is not a job, it's my life's calling, and an opportunity to express my gratitude for all the elders who played an important role in my life. My protégés/patients are always treated with respect and loving kindness. I show up with a smile, a loving touch, a story or a song, and a can-do attitude. My primary intention is to prevent loneliness and social isolation among seniors. I am confident that my gentle approach and tender loving care can make a difference in the life of the elders under my responsibility. In 2014, after retirement from the Federal Public Service, I was trained to attend to the needs of the terminally ill in palliative care, as well as providing home visits to cancer survivors. Some of the clients under my care include elders who have suffered from: a stroke, heart surgery, knee surgery, kidney failure, dementia, loss of vision, diabetes, and depression. For the past 5 years, I have been a volunteer caregiver with: Hospice Care Ottawa, The Hospice at May Court, Citizen Advocacy Group, Catholic Center for Immigrants, Vanier Community Service Centre. I have been involved with individual patients who are suffering from isolation at home, or in long-term care facilities: preparing meals, feeding patients who can no longer feed themselves, taking patients to hospital and doctor's appointments, acupuncture, neuro-physiotherapy, dental and optometrist appointments. I have also been volunteering to teach English and French to refugees and newcomers to Canada. I am a member of Compassionate Ottawa, Citizen Advocacy Group, and The Council on Aging of Ottawa. I am a non-smoker and do not consume alcohol. I can provide live references, as well as my Police Records Check for staff working with the Vulnerable Sector. I am professionally trained in counselling and human resources, and hold a university degree in Psychology. I speak English and French. Services offered: Home visits, regular phone calls to check-in, contact client's family for regular reports, set up visitation schedule with friends/family, drive client to medical appointments, library, and shopping, pick-up groceries, invite to meet for coffee or other social activity, assistance with routine activities, assistance with computer, offer to connect with community programs, offer to prepare meals with client, contact immediate family to report on issues of concern.