It feels hard to find good help...

SharonAnne7

Hello, everyone:

I'm a caregiver in the Denver area. I work for a couple in their 90's. She's very active, still and he is the one mostly affected by dementia. He just loves to sit and reminisce. He still can do all of his activities of daily living, but he doesn't take any initiative until prompted. I do a good job. I like my work, even though it's challenging. This last week we had a rough time in the bathroom. He needed to be ready for an exercise appointment here in his house. He was feeling rushed and uncomfortable, though. He wouldn't let me help him get his underwear and pants back on. He ended up missing his appointment. Most of the time I can come up with a creative way to bypass his resistance. That was a tough afternoon, though. 

I've been looking for someone to partner with me so I can reduce my hours a little. I'm 64 and want to plan for retirement. Everyone I interview is focused on telling their clients what to do or doing things for them. My client has been clear: He does not like to be directed and he wants to do as much as he can for himself, even if it does take him 45 minutes to get his pants on in the bathroom. He and I have good conversations and he responds well to my body language and respectful prompts as he tells me his daily stories. 

I guess I'm tired and complainy. Tell me your stories. What have you been wrestling with? Let's share notes and cheer each other on. 
Thanks  

sandwichone123

Do you have a community college nearby with a nursing school? Many of them have a job center or job posting board.

SharonAnne7

Thank you. I'll check that out.