Recently, I was asked about my level of experience working with seniors…I took a moment to really think about that question. I came to the realization that I’ve been taking care of seniors (and family & friends in general) my whole life! I have driven many miles to make sure they were safe, made phone calls to check on them during storms, made sure someone wasn’t alone for the holidays, baked and dropped off meals, had air conditioning installed in 90+ degree heat, made sure they had company and companionship, handled confidential business matters, got their lawns mowed and leaves picked up, took them to doctors’ appointments, out to eat (on MY dime, NOT theirs), and set up service people to fix things. I even had to ward off over 80 charities that one senior was giving to! I had to deal with court issues and make sure that a senior got money back from a bad investment. I spent hours and hours talking and crying and figuring out the world’s issues with them!

It can be scary to be a senior; I set up Meals on Wheels for many, and even looked into Medicare and Medicaid because it was complicated to them. I don’t know why all that happened, it just did, and I do it out of love.

I took personal care of my own family – Mother, Father, Grandparents, Aunts, friends, and others for many years. Somehow, I set myself up to be the go-to person when family and friends had problems or questions. Most recently, I managed my Mother’s increasing financial and health needs for two intense years following a stroke and cancer – complete with surgeries, radiation treatments, feeding tubes, dementia and end-of-life matters. I asked her if she was trying to teach me all the things that I would need to know in my assisted living! She thought that this was the best education I could get.

Sorry, Mom, I didn’t get this done in time for you to see it. But, I know you’re proud of my tenacity and determination. After all, I got that from you!