Assisting Seniors in Southwest Florida!

and My Business...

Hi, my name is Janine. I'm a successful professional working woman and a single parent to two children ages 10 and 11. As most of you are well aware, here in Southwest Florida there's a huge number of seniors living alone that need just a "little" helping hand.

During the hours between 3am and 5am I've been doing a lot of tossing and turning in bed and brain-storming on just how I could make a little difference in the daily lives of our aging population. This is how my business started and this is my story! Hopefully in the days, months, and years to come, my sleepless nights will be filled with wonderful dreams knowing that I allowed one more senior to live one more day in the comfort of their own home.

Concierge Services for our Seniors!

Going to a party?.....Do you want to have a party?.... Need airport transportation?....How about that dry cleaning?

As parents and grandparents age, they grow increasingly reliant on their younger relatives for assistance. Unfortunately, our busy schedules often don't provide enough time to provide sufficient care. In this case, you can call upon us to provide a concierge service for seniors who want to maintain their independence. Our concierge service is essentially an on-call resource for all our seniors who need help with day-to-day activities. The concierge isn't with the same individual or family all day, but they can schedule their visits around key necessities, such as fixing meals or picking up dry cleaning or intercepting packages at the post office. This is a great way for your elderly relative to maintain his or her independence while still enjoying the better things in life.

Services Provided:

The extent of services provided by our concierge service for our seniors will vary depending on the skills and resources of the request.

We provide everything from meal preparation to airport transportation, while others specialize in just a few areas. Our concierge service can satisfy all of your loved one's needs without having to look for additional outside help.

Services you might request from a concierge service include companionship services, administrative assistance, home and office organization, grocery and personal shopping, meal preparation, household cleaning, yard care, computer and internet training, exercise and fitness, package interception(postal) and reminder services. You can usually pick and choose the services that apply to your elderly relative.

Whatever the occasion, we can assist you and your loved one in times of need!

DO YOU NEED TIME OFF AS A FULL-TIME CAREGIVER?

Do you need time off, time away or much-needed time out as the primary caregiver---is not a luxury. It's a necessity for both you as the caregiver and the loved ones in their care. The more you're a caregiver, the more isolated you get and the more your world narrows down. A companion can helps because he/she can give you time away from what you're doing every day. It gives you time to take a deep breath and think of other things. Having a day to yourself is like a day at the spa! It's extremely exhausting everyday taking care of a loved one. You need time off, take it!

DISCUSS THE NEED FOR TIME-OFF EARLY ON...
Communicating with your loved one about this is crucial, and many caregivers don't get needed care because they feel guilty just bringing up the issue-or they're fearful their loved one will get upset about being left in someone else's care. Also, their loved one will sometime feel as though they become that "burden" they have always heard of "others" talking about. This brings your loved one memories that to them, are sad and hurtful; leading to more depression. Take time out early on to explain that "you both" need time off.

SEND THE RIGHT SIGNALS...
The most important message to send that first day of companion care or a "sitter" is that you have confidence in the person that is going to "replace" you for the amount of time you will be away. You need to show excitement, joy, and peace to your loved one so he or she knows you are confident in whose care you're leaving your loved one in. "I'm leaving you in good hands"...

INVOLVE YOUR LOVED ON IN THE PLANS...
Take time for you and your loved one to "interview" the prospective new companion. Give time for your loved one to ask questions. Will I be in my own home? Will I be going to a facility? Will I be staying overnight? How will I get help going to the bathroom at night? These are just a few of questions that will be racing though your loved one's mine. Make them feel at ease and spend time with both your love one and the companion or "sitter" before the actual time comes to "leave" his or her side. This seems to work wonders for you as well as your loved one. Both of you will greatly benefit from this!

Assisting Seniors In Southwest Florida
Companion
Janine Decker

A Street, Town, or State Away!

Taking care of a loved one can be overwhelming, stressful and an exhausting experience whether you live a street, town or a state away.

In the middle of the hot summer of 2000, I personally had to take on this "role" to my father, whether I was prepared for it or not. I had no other alternative, nor was I going to allow anyone other than myself to care for him. He was my dad! I was not in any way ready for what the doctor was about to tell me, nor was I willing to accept his diagnosis. I was in my early 30's and preparing myself for a long career, building a new house, and starting a family. No way could I possibly take on another "project" as I had way too many now, so I thought. Needless to say, this was the biggest project I have ever had, and the most rewarding...

I just got to work at 8 am that next morning and I was sitting down at my desk, on the edge of my seat, waiting for the results of his chest x-ray that was taken the morning before, when the telephone rang. I was already in tears just anticipating the phone call from the doctor, as I knew long before my dad did that the diagnosis was not going to be a good one. For the most part, my dad was healthy up to approximately 8 months prior to this. His diagnoses was Stage 4 Lung Cancer. From July 2000 to the following January 2001, my sister and I put our lives on hold as much as we could, without losing our jobs and sanity, and cared for his every need. I never thought for a minute that I would be in this situation at the age of 30, and I never in my wildest dreams did I think for a minute that my life would consist of taking care of my dying dad. The pain in watching a love ones body die day-by-day is one that can never be explained.

My sister and I drove him 4 hours away once a week to a Veterans Hospital for test after test, since he was a vet, these services were greatly appreciated, as he had no insurance and wasn't able to work anymore, the medical services we had in our town was limited to next to none. During the next 6 months, I tried everything in my power to keep him alive and comfortable; he had just turned 62 . I took him for radiation treatments, one after another, then chemo treatments, one after another, until finally, his frail body couldn't take the treatment anymore, and we knew there was no hope in him recovering from this awful illness. He had his last chemo treatment in December of 200o and peacefully passed away in his daughters' arms on January 18, 2001.

Many caregivers now days are taking care of their own parent or close relative on a day-by-day basis, without even having an option for in-home assistance, I was one of them.

Nearly 65% of all American adults are currently providing daily companionship or assistance to a parent or relative. It’s extremely difficult caring for their own family and meeting the needs of their loved one at the same time. In addition, most caregivers are working a second full-time job to fulfill the financial obligations of their own lives. This seems to be a worldwide epidemic affecting many middle age working adults. In my past experience with my dad, I know how you feel and I'm here to help you. You are not alone. We are only a phone call away, don't do it alone!

When going home... doesn't mean going alone!

A stay in the hospital is always tough, but even tougher if your loved ones are far away. Don't worry . I can come to your home, help you pack your clothes and belongings and secure your house. Then I can provide or arrange transportation, help you check in to the hospital and carry in your personal belongings. Once you are settled in, I can stay by your side as much as you need. I can also help keep the family informed on your or your loved ones progress as frequently as desired. Imagine the comfort that I can provide when family or friends can't always be there. When your stay or your loved ones stay is complete, I will assist with the discharge paperwork, and arrange or provide transportation home. Don't face a hospital stay with fear or anxiety. Let me help you out!

Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and Memory Impairments...What exactly is it?

Alzheimer’s Disease One of the most common of dementia disorders, it is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior. Gradual memory loss, lessening ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation in time and space, and personality change are a few of the symptoms.

Normal Forgetfulness vs. Memory Impairment

As we age, the process of recalling information slows down. It is normal to experience forgetfulness such as not being able to recall an acquaintance's name or appointments, or not remembering what you wanted in the kitchen once you get there.

Occasional memory problems may result from stress, distractions, grief, fatigue, poor vision or hearing, use of alcohol, an illness, or trying to remember too many details at once. Clinical depression also may cause poor concentration, sleep disturbance, or other symptoms that lead to forgetfulness in persons who do not have Alzheimer's disease.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is the loss of intellectual functions (such as thinking, remembering and reasoning) of sufficient severity as to interfere with a person's daily functioning. People with dementia experience short-term memory lapses and confusion that are more persistent, more severe, and more disabling than normal forgetting. These memory problems affect performance of everyday activities such as handling finances, doing household chores, and maintaining good hygiene habits.

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is the most common of the dementia disorders. It is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior.

Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

*Recent memory loss – forgetting more often and not remembering later

*Difficulty performing familiar or routine tasks – meal preparation, doing laundry

*Problems with language – trouble finding the right word, forgetting simple words, substituting inappropriate words

*Disorientation of time and place – getting lost in your own neighborhood, not knowing how to get home or to familiar places

*Poor or decreased judgment – dressing inappropriately, layering clothing, disrobing in public, leaving stove burners on

*Problems with abstract thinking – balancing a checkbook, coming up with a reasonable plan to an everyday problem like a toilet that is overflowing

*Misplacing things – putting things in inappropriate places and cannot remember where to find common items, putting frozen items in oven

*Changes in mood or behavior – rapid mood swings for no apparent reason

*Changes in personality – becoming confused, suspicious, fearful and may think family members are stealing things

*Loss of initiative – becoming very passive and requiring cues and prompting to become involved.

Assisting Seniors in Southwest Florida!

What is a "Companion" or a "Sitter"?

About Me

and My Business...

Grocery Shopping!

Leave the driving up to US!

Companionship & Supervision!

Take a Break!

Wanna take a Cruise?

We're here to help!

Basic Daily Assistance!

Concierge Services for our Seniors!

Keeping your Independence...Living your Life to the Fullest!

Help is on the way!

Do you want a night out? Dinner? Movie? Dance?

TAKE TIME OFF! YOU DESERVE IT!

Seasonal Seniors Returning to Naples!

Miss Maggie

Ms. Edna & Mr. Kurtis

Family Support & My Personal Experience!

A Street, Town, or State Away!

When all you need is a break!

Take a Break!

Post Hospitalization Assistance!

When going home... doesn't mean going alone!

Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and Memory Impairments...What exactly is it?

Clients in Bonita Springs, Florida!

Ms. Carolyn

Just having way too much fun! We love to shop!

Contact Information...

Assisting Seniors In Southwest Florida!