Consistency is important for seniors. Despite our efforts to keep the lives of our loved one's stable, life is ever changing and sometimes beyound our control.
Within one week we had three caregivers for my mother. The changes were confusing and a bit upsetting for her. It took a couple of weeks to finalize the caregivers, and we are now working together to establish a routine and become comfortable with each other. We have Jamila on Monday and Wednesday and LaKisha on Friday.
We hired our first caregiver, Susanna, from Senior Helpers in Ann Arbor, a home health care agency, in May 2010. Susanna and my mother bonded very quickly. She did the assigned duties but then would take on other assignments around the condo without being told. Unfortunately, she became ill and needed to resign from her position with my mother and Senior Helpers in August 2011. The agency searched for staff that had personality traits and a work ethic similar to Susanna. She was in college for nursing, and we told her she would one day make a wonderful nurse because of her caring nature.
After Susanna quit, a staff member from the company called me to discuss other caregivers. She told me management was concerned about my mother. She explained they were not able to find one person for the whole week but could find two people if that was agreeable with my mother and me. After my mother and I discussed this option, we decided to try give it a a try.
Even though we needed an adjustment period, my mother and I are very peased with Jamila and LaKisha. Both women have their own unique sparkling personalities. Jamila has a calmness about her that helps my mother relax while LaKisha manages to lift my mother's spirits. But both women know how to get my mother laughing. Without realizing it, Jamila and I have become a comedy act with my mother and she never knows what the two of us will do. It works because we put a smile on her face. If my mother is a little down, LaKisha will look at my mother and say, "My Josephine, I don't like it when you're sad. Now you don't want me to be sad." Then LaKisha pours out her infectious laugh that gets both my mother and me to laugh.
Fridays is our "fun day out". LaKisha, and I take Mom to the hair salon and then Mom treats us to lunch. Even if my mother is exhausted when she returns home, she is happy after her afternoon outings. LaKisha and I try to make those days as enjoyable as possible for her.
Both Jamila and LaKisha have a very serious side with my mother and are extremely protective of her. If they even notice a slight change in her medical condition, they will let me know. When my mother becomes anxious, they are incredible in the manner they calm her. My mother has adopted both women and call them her granddaughters. Senior Helpers diligently searched for an appropriate match for my mother. They did not find an appropriate match - they found outstanding matches with Jamila and LaKisha!
When Senior Helpers recommended both Jamila and LaKisha, I trusted their judgment. After about 1 1/2 years working with this agency, I have developed a special relationship with them. When Susanna quit, my mother and I knew they were considering my mother's best interest before selecting new caregivers. They would not send us one person if they were not a suitable match. Instead, they split the week between two caregivers who they believed were the best candidates. And they found us two wonderful young ladies.
When you hire a home health care agency, employees alternate. Some quit the position, others need to change shifts, and some caregiver-client personalities are not compatible. Maintain a close relationship with management and other staff so when personnel change you can work together to find a compatible caregiver. You want a team that searches out their caregivers and matches them with their clients. When you first hire a caregiver, contact agency staff weekly for the first month regarding their progress and request periodic spot checks. After a couple months, ask for a caregiver conference. If your loved one is physically, mentally, and emotionally able to handle a meeting, include him. Continue contact with the company on a monthly basis unless a need arises sooner and conferences every six months if you and your loved one decide it is necessary. You can always request a conference whenever you feel it would be befencial.
Most agencies welcome participation and caregivers who take a committed role in the lives of their loved ones. Work as a team to make the situation a positive, rewarding one for everyone, but especially for your loved one.
