About the job
About who needs care: B (my Aunt), recently had a 2nd stroke which has left her weak and now uses a walker; has trouble with short term memory (Did I take my meds that day?, etc.) and is continent. She needs some assistance transferring and with bathing (just because of fainting issues). She also has orthostatic hypotension which causes random drops in blood pressure causing her to faint/collapse without warning. This is mitigated by taking blood pressure 3 times a day (before getting out of bed, noon and evening) and not getting up until pressure is above 95/60; proper medication management - blood pressure pill; drinking plenty of fluids and 3 decent meals a day. After her morning routine, she likes/needs to go for a 1/4 mile walk outside. She has at home strengthening exercises she needs to do daily. She enjoys watching sports (was a huge golfer) and movies. She also has friends/neighbors who pop into visit. She has 2 cats who help keep her entertained, too. She used to go to the gym 3 days a week with friends until the stroke and she would like to do that again at least one day per week so she can see friends and go to breakfast with them afterwards. would like to go out to dinner with friends at least once a week. Also, she has not driven in a year and needs transportation for appointments and errands - friends have been helping. B has had 24/7 care from an agency for the last 6 weeks and would like to move to something less - maybe 7am-8pm. Looking for someone to do the 4- 8pm. One of our biggest needs is someone who can cook and will take a bit more charge of dinner and getting a balanced meal in front of her. B often does not just tell the caregiver what she wants and does not get up to look in fridge/ freezer to see what is available. Get her ready for bed and into bed before leaving. Caregivers, would also need to potentially, assist with cats - very sweet! About the care needs: Someone who takes a bit more charge around mealtime and will look in fridge/freezer and decide on a balanced meal and prep it. Or even help B get up and enlist her help in deciding/ prepping the dinner. B can sit at island and chop items for a salad or chop veggies etc. - she just can not currently stand for long periods and cook at stove, B is not a card player but she does like to watch sports and movies. B enjoys someone to talk with - she used to be a reader but does not do that now as she says her short-term memory makes it tough. Would be good for her to go for a second short walk in the evenings after dinner. She might be interested in going to local club for dominoes or bingo once a week. Services needed include: transportation, meal preparation, errands / shopping, light housekeeping, companionship, feeding, and bathing / dressing.
