About who needs care: My mother has been a widow for 22 years & lived alone. She will be 89 next month. Over the last couple of years her memory has declined, but more rapidly in the past few months. She sleeps too much. She gets a wake up call, & reminder calls to take her meds. We have installed two cameras to insure her safety & to be able to reach her if she leaves the phone off the hook. She doesn't think she needs a helper, but we are leaving on a mission in January. I have a sister in Provo & we have divided the responsibilities. I don't want my sister to be left doing everything. She is working fulltime & finishing a Masters Degree. Our ideal helper would be able to come on Wednesdays & Saturdays (2 days she doesn't receive Meals ). They could prepare a simple meal, help with dishes, laundry & washing her sheets. These are things that she has let go lately. On these days they could encourage her to shower. She can do that herself, but she's letting that go too. Someone to talk to would be great!! The other thing that would be helpful would be to do her grocery shopping. She doesn't need alot, mostly cookies & ice cream-haha. Eggs, bread, milk & some canned items. I feel it would be important that her helper be of the same faith (LDS) so that they could talk & share things related to the gospel which is VERY important to my mother & our family. She has very little interest in doing things, so I'm guessing that's why she sleeps so much. Conversation, going out to lunch once in awhile, or transportation to a Dr.'s appt. would be important. About the care needs: Probably not someone super young. Someone that has some maturity. A friendly, kind, patient & encouraging personality that is willing to become a friend. No specialized skills. They could share favorite books with my mom. She will read & enjoy them. Services needed include: meal preparation, errands / shopping, light housekeeping, and companionship.
Companionship
Light Housekeeping
Meal Preparation
Errands / Shopping