I will be starting a new job in a few weeks ( on the 21st of Jan) doing in home care for my best friend's parents. I am pretty excited about it...and a little nervous. Never worked with older folks before. I have known these two for over 15 years and they are the sweetest people. I never considered this job before, but it came just at the right time. I have been doing child day care and needed a change.....badly. This will be only from 8:30 AM to noon and I will make quite alot. Have any of you had a job like this before? I could really use tips. They are getting around pretty well, she walks with a walker...he with a cane...he still drives a little (scary) and she is mostly homebound..but gets out with relatives now and then. It will be mostly getting her ready for the day, and watching her do her excercises and a little light housecleaning... I am looking forward to having my afternoons free to be at home and do some of the projects I can't do with a houseful of someone elses children! I will be doing some housecleaning too..a couple days a week...but will still be home by 3:00.

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), December 30, 2001

Answers

Congratulations Jenny. I have done this before, and the main thing to remember is that patience is the key!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 30, 2001.

Maybe you can get them to talk about the old days and listen for wisdom.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), December 30, 2001.

Have a great time and be ready to hear some stories. I have a friend from church who is 92 and I used to visit her at home and now visit her at the nursing home. She has some great stories. She is now writing in a journal for her children.

-- LaDena,Tx9 (littledena77458@yahoo.com), December 31, 2001.

Hi Jenny! I agree that you need patience and a good ear. I've worked in the Home Health field for almost 9 years now. Another thing to remember is that the elderly are your boss. I worked with a few CNA's that went into homes thinking they would tell the old folks what needed to be done. Well, they were booted right out the door. It is such a rewarding job if you go into it with a humble attitude. We are there to serve them. Sometimes just by asking questions, you'll find out things that are bothering them, ie. financial, health, family problems. Keep a good communication open with your friend. Learn of the different agencies in your community that you might refer them to. Examples, home meal deliveries, social services, County Nursing services. If they are using medical equipment, make sure their home is safe enough for them to move around. Make an assessment of things they need like grab bars in the bathroom, toilet seat riser, etc. I've been in my newest job for 8 months now. I visit about 12 elders. My duties include assisting in and out of the tub for showers, help dressing, hair washing and a set, meal preparation, light housekeeping. I report to our area visiting nurse or clinic if there are any falls, open sores, any illness. At least 8 of these elders are diabetics so my job is cut out for me. Good luck and don't be nervous. Just be informed.

-- Jean in No. WI (jat@ncis.net), January 01, 2002.