In many ways, Nest In Place was created from the needs of one of our very first “unofficial” clients… my mom. When my dad was living with dementia, my mom was his 24 hour caregiver. The only time she got a break was when I came and stayed with him. While the hours I was in-home were helpful, I truly believe it was all the other support I was able to provide that allowed him to live at home.
I was there to answer her questions, research equipment and services, find resources, order, pick up or drop off supplies or medications, navigate changes, basically I was her 24/7 problem solver.
That’s how our S.O.A.R. plan was created, to provide seniors and their families more than a break, to truly provide a solution.
Yesterday I met with a new client and as we discussed our in-home care programs, she was convinced she does NOT need a comprehensive program, however…
-I noticed her walker caps were worn and scraping her hardwood floors, she needed skis.
-She mentioned she needed help following up with a case manager from the hospital and setting up an appointment with her family doctor.
-The TV had stopped working.
-She didn’t want something to make the toilet seat higher, just softer.
-She was out of yogurt, her staple for daily lunch.
-She was stressed because her credit card bill needed to be mailed immediately.
-She needed shower gel.
-A nurse was supposed to come today but never called to say what time.
-And she had a really big craving for KFC with mashed potatoes and coleslaw.
All of those things were taken care of within hours, WITHOUT putting it on her family. When I dropped off her KFC last evening, she said, “What would I have done without you?” We hear that a lot! The S.O.A.R. plan is everything you never knew you always needed.
I’ve “helped people” working in elder care for many years, but nothing has fulfilled me like a S.O.A.R. plan in action. It’s helping each person in the specific ways they truly need help, proactively preventing problems for the future, and the little extras that make our clients feel cared about on day one.
Every time we bridge the gap between “I don’t need that” and “What would I have done without you?” I know we are truly making a difference. Also, I now know 12 different ways a toilet seat can be padded in case you need an expert in that! 😊
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