I am passionate about making a difference to someone's life, to enable people to maintain their independence within their own homes, and to help them enjoy life to the full and follow whatever interests they have. I was brought up in a house where we cared for my grandmother so caring became a way of life that I enjoy. I looked after both my mother and father. My mother had a stroke in her fifties, was partially sighted and at the end of her life suffered from terminal cancer. I managed to keep her within her own home until the last few weeks of her life. I nursed my own partner who had terminal cancer for 6 months at home following his wishes that he did not want to go into hospital or a hospice. Lately I was responsible for the care of an elderly gentleman who suffered from dementia and was partially sighted. We enjoyed many days out, even if it was just for a drive on a cold winter's day with a picnic and a flask of hot soup in the car. I love the difference a gentle word can make, just listening to what they want to do but also encouraging them to do more than they think they are capable of. I love life and am extremely patient, honest and trustworthy.