I am a 63 years of age "female" with thirteen years of experience working full-time as a live-in/live-out Private Caregiver and 99% of my clients were diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer at various levels.
I am extremely reliable, caring, patient, generous and compassionate. My personality is gregarious, uplifting, positive, always ready for a good laugh, blessed with a great sense of humour "funny" and I adjust very well to others and new environments. I am a quick thinker and use common sense in every day tasks and challenges. I prioritize Health and Safety and Confidentiality of the person in my care. I use the European approach which is based on the Person Centered Care and Bio-Psycho-Social Model. The illness "Dementia" does not define the person, therefore the European philosophy is by far the best way of working with and around Dementia. The illness will progress at its own rate, but the person can still enjoy a tremendous amount of pleasure in his/her life. I provide Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, positive support, guidance and validation of the person in my care. It is mandatory to keep the person active in their daily activities such as exercising, eating a proper diet, going on outings, visit with good old friends, walking in a beautiful park or on the beach. People with Dementia need to remain involved in their own life as they have known it. As the illness progresses certain activities will have to be readjusted in order to accommodate and adapt to new changes. The importance of having a Caregiver involved at an early stage of the illness, and preferably someone who has experience with Dementia will make a huge difference in the person's life. It will allow for the person to develop a sense of safety, security, familiarity and most importantly trust into the Caregiver. As the illness progresses the person will experience extreme confusion, fear, sometime hallucinations, will become delusional from time to time. Therefore, having a permanent Caregiver who journeys through all the changes and stages of the illness with the person suffering from Dementia, will help and guide the Caregiver into offering the proper care and interaction during those very difficult moments as the circle of trust is already in place. People diagnosed with Dementia often flirt with severe depression. It is the most important part of the Caregiver's job to keep the person above the line of depression by using the proper interaction, by stepping out of her comfort zone in order to help the person experiencing a dark moment. It takes a lot of psychology, sensitivity, sensibility, observation, self-awareness and knowledge of who the person was prior to the illness in order to offer the appropriate approach and emotional support. I use reminiscence as a working instrument which allows me to discover and learn about the person's life prior to being diagnosed with Dementia. One needs to know who the person is, her/his hobbies, profession, creative part of themselves, love of music, travelling, bringing up a family, anecdotes, the arrival and joy of having grand-children and sometime great grand-children, their favourite sports, perhaps the love of dancing or singing in a choir. All this knowledge can be reapplied and used for some very positive outcome as the illness takes its course. It offers the person to be involved, strike conversation and feel a sense of worthiness, dignity and pride for who they really are, but most importantly it brings the person out of isolation. Sharing memories and a life-time of experiences helps the Caregiver to focus on what matters to the person.
It is in trust and knowledge that we can walk the road less travel.
Kind Regards to all families in need of care for a beloved family member diagnosed with Dementia.
Professional Caregiver/Companion Specializing in Dementia.
Thirteen years of full-time employment as a live-in/out. Providing a Healthy and Safe environment, all aspects of Household management, dispensing and renewal of all medications/prescriptions, keep records of all medications given daily, monitor the overall health and changes in the demeanour of my client either physically, cognitively, emotionally and psychologically. Make all appointments to the Doctor. Take care of shopping, cooking, gardening, light housekeeping, laundry and looking after pets big or small if any,
Take my client on outings, walking, water exercises, stretching if capable. Use various type of Cognitive Therapy, Reminiscence, little projects such as painting, starting a scrapbook, singing, dancing etc..
Additional Experiences/Qualifications:
I have taken many seminars regarding Dementia. I like to keep myself up to date with the latest studies. I spend hours reading on the subject via internet regarding the latest approach to the illness. I read mostly on the European Person Centered Care Model.
Prior to working as a private caregiver for the last twelve + years, I worked for five years in a Group-Home as a full-time caregiver with young people diagnosed with Autism, FASD, Paranoid Schizophrenia, dual diagnoses, developmental challenges and behavioural issues.
I enjoy working with people diagnosed with Dementia as I am extremely patient, easy going, adaptable to all the changes and challenges of the illness. I am also blessed with a great sense of humour. My positive and outgoing personality allows me to bring a zest for life to the person in my care. I am extremely spontaneous, quick thinker and I apply common sense to every day tasks and challenges. My main focus is on making the person feel comfortable, safe, healthy and engaged in her daily life. The importance of building a trust relationship is the most important part of my work. Once the circle of trust is established, it opens up the doors of communication between myself and the person in my care, as well as the family members involved.
Note : I no longer take on ambulatory cases and the person must be continent. The reason for this is simple. I have reached an age where I am no longer willing to take on the task of looking after a person who is unable to move herself / himself. I don't work with lifts or do transfers anymore. If the person has a tendency to be violent I don't accept to work in this environment anymore, as it is too much for me now, and I have done it for many years. I assist with shower for proper washing and for safety.
