Mildred held his hand and tried to comfort him…..

What happened at a nursing home in the dementia unit:

Hey, you just kicked my chair. I am going to give you a sucker punch. What are you trying to do to me?

I didn’t kick you.

Yes, you did so.

The first man grabbed the other man’s hand and squeezed it with great force. The man who was being hurt cried out in great pain. The Activity Director told me to call for a nurse. They quickly separated the two “boys” who were like boys in a recess yard fighting over a ball.

The “bully” was escorted from the activity room. They attended to the man with the sore hand. Another resident, a lady who did not speak earlier, held his hand and rubbed it.

That feels good.  I guess it will feel better soon.

Mildred tenderly held his hand. Like a mother soothing a child.   

Mildred, that is so nice how you are taking care of Jake.

He is my friend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WJ1cf3nrLE

 

 

 

The ring in a Cracker Jack’s box

A group of 15 residents, 13 ladies and 2 men, came to the program today. We watched some old commercials and one was the Cracker Jack commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwq_x9QsLzg

Twenty years ago, a young man proposed to my daughter and he gave her the plastic ring from a Cracker Jack’s box. She wasn’t upset because he wanted to get engaged and was still saving for a ring. She wore it to work every day, with pride. They are still married. Oh, that makes me laugh thinking about that!

You made my day!

After five days of rain, the sun was finally shining on Saturday. Lots of ladies were sitting on rocking chairs on the porch.

I showed the box of tissue paper corages and after lots of OH, HOW PRETTY……..

Why are you giving this to me?

Just because …….

Oh, you made my day!

I wish I could help you carry the box and pass them out. You are really spreading a little sunshine with these flowers.

Oprah and other media appearances

Dear Friends,
These videos are a number of years ago, when our kids were small. They are now college and beyond. It seems like a lifetime ago!

How Can I Help Your Family?

 

I am available to help you in any way related to child care, pet care, house sitting or as a companion for the elderly. I have been a nurturer all of my life and enjoy helping people. I have a clean driving record, clear background checks and excellent personal and professional references. I have been an instructor at MCCC for the New Choices/New Options Program.  I was a volunteer, working with senior citizens for many years. I have also owned a child care center. My educational credentials are a BA from Villanova University, Education Graduate Credits from Temple University and an MBA from Saint Joseph University.

I am the mother of four college-age children. For most of my career, I have been a teacher, as well as an author/writer. I know how hard it is to find somebody who is responsible and trustworthy to care for “the homefront” when you are not able to be at home. I will take care of your home and family as if they were my own!

If you google my name, you will see information about the books that I have written including Start Your Own-At Home Child Care Business, Raising Happy Kids on a Reasonable Budget, No More Secrets- A  Family Speaks About Depression, Anxiety and Attempted Suicide, So You Want to Open a Profitable Day Care Center, and For All the Write Reasons – 40 Successful Authors Tell You How to Get a Book Published.

 My two websites related to projects that I have been involved with, for the past ten years, are: www.teamofangels.com and www.speakingaboutdepression.com

Please visit my blog   www.storiesforseniors.wordpress.com

Patricia C. Gallagher, Cell: 267 939 0365

helpfulsitters@gmail.com

 

Senior Care, Companion Care, and Elder Sitting

 

Who Needs Our Services?

Sometimes it is the senior citizen who reaches out for our services because they need non-medical help so that they can stay independent, and continue to live in their own home. At other times, it is the loved ones of the seniors who need a respite from their caregiving duties. They may be feeling “burned out” and need a break. In either case, I am available to provide whatever services you need to make your life easier and to give you peace of mind.

Some of the times that Seniors or their Family Members need the services of  Elder Care Sitting and Senior Services are:

• I need errands done outside of the home. A trip to the post office, the library, the Dollar Store, or to the supermarket.
• I would like somebody to drive me to a niece’s wedding.
• I have not seen my friends back in Scranton for a long time. Maybe Patricia could take me for a ride up there and go and just look at the beauty of the Poconos Mountains.
• I would like to go to see the holiday lights and Christmas displays in the department stores, and even have her “wheel me” around the Mall.
• My mother needs a compassionate and loving person, someone who can give the  one-on-one attention that I can not give her now. I do not live in the area so I need someone to stop in regularly and check on her.
• I want to be as independent as I can be. I want to continue living in my apartment so I need help with light housekeeping and meal preparation, and sometimes with bathing and dressing.
• I want to go to visit my sister who is in a nursing home in Lancaster, and also to drop off a gift to my other sister in Drexel Hill. Just out for a ride for the day would be so much fun.
• I need somebody to visit when I am feeling “down in the dumps.” Somebody to play a game with me or just sit and  watch a show.
• I need somebody to count on for night services or an emergency. If I have a cold or flu, I don’t want to be alone. Just somebody to make me a cup of tea or a bowl of soup.
• I need a companion. Somebody to take me to a museum, the zoo, the  aquarium, or even to one of my favorite restaurants, back in my old neighborhood.
• I need a “daughter” to care for me when I am convalescing. I broke my hip and my arm, a couple of years ago. It is so comforting to know that I have somebody that can be by my side as I recuperate.
• I sometimes need a “respite break”  from caring for my elderly parent. It is draining to be tied down. It would be so nice to have someone to come in  for a few hours, or for a whole day. And then, perhaps,  I could even plan for a vacation for a week or two.
• I need somebody to help me with problems in my daily life.
• I need assistance with personal hygiene  I need somebody to prepare a meal. I need help with shopping, gift-buying and wrapping.
• I need help with scheduling and going to appointments. Somebody to wait for me in a doctor’s office and even sit in with me. It is pretty scary sometimes to be alone when you are getting health related news.
• I need assistance with errands, housework, medications, laundry, bill paying, mending, small repair jobs, and letter writing.
• I need occasional help with bathing and dressing.
• I need some light housekeeping, dusting, vacuuming, doing dishes, etc.
• I need somebody to “spot – check” in on my relatives when they are staying in a nursing home, rehab or hospital. I work full-time at a very demanding career, and I can not take time off. There are times when the staff call and tell me, that my father had a fall or has a wound on his leg. I need someone to “supervise” and handle any such situation.
• I need a paid travel escort/companion so I can visit my relatives who live out of state. A ride to the airport, help with ticketing and baggage, and even going on the trip with me.
• I need general all around assistance if I am going to continue living in my home. I like to have someone on call, somebody in the neighborhood, who knows me, my home and my pets.
• I need a buddy by my side, such as an advocate , when I have to deal with insurance companies, pharmacists and any health - related concerns. It can be confusing to grasp everything.
• I need someone to take me out to lunch, to go to visit old friends or just go out for a ride. to get a “breath of fresh air.” I would like to go back to my old beauty salon, drive past my old house, say Hello to my old neighbors, go out for ice cream, visit my old church.
• I need someone to play cards,  play Scrabble, or just watch television with me.
• I need someone to show me some love and TLC!
• I live far away and I need someone to check in on my father a couple of times a week. I need to hire a “fusser.” Somebody to “fuss” over my parents and give them lots of love and attention. I feel guilty that I can not go to vist very often.
• I want somebody to listen to my stories and share stories with me.
• I just want somebody to do whatever Gramps or Grandma needs them to do, to give them a better quality of life.
• I notice that my mother does not have the vim and vigor that  she used to have for life. She needs a little pep! A visit from someone pleasant a couple of times a week will give her something to look forward to.
• I need someone to help administer medications.
• If I name it, I just need somebody to do it for me.
• I need someone to straighten a closet, clean up some clutter, empty a litter pan, walk the dog, just occasional every day things, even change a lightbulb, or move some furniture.
• I would like somebody to take me and a few of my lady friends to the William Penn Inn for lunch once a month. Sort of a “ladies on the go” lunch club. Can Patricia take the “lunch ladies” and be our chauffeur for times that we need to get out of the home? We need something to look forward to, something to chase the blues away!
• I just need to “rent- a - helpful daughter” to do whatever needs to be done. Things pile up in my mind and I just need to give somebody a “to-do” list.

All About Our Child Care Services

Have you ever been stranded at the last minute? Your babysitter unable to make it? Are your kids too sick to go to daycare or school? You know you can’t miss work, so what can you do? Do you wish you had a Mother on Call ? Or a Sitter on Call ? Or a Best Friend on Call?

I am the mother of four college-age children and have provided child care in my home, have owned a day care center and have taught classes at the community college on child care and activities to do with children. I have a BA in Education from Villanova University and a Master’s Degree from Saint Joseph’s University. I love children. I have years of experience, and personal and professional references that you can check at any time, as well as a criminal clearance background. 

If you need someone to give you peace of mind, and loving care for your children, I am only a phone call away. I live in Chalfont, PA. I am available for day, evening, overnight and weekend sitting. If  you have a business trip or just need  a few days away for a vacation or for a family emergency, I will take care of the homefront. You can be assured that your children , home and pets are in safe, loving care.

Patricia C. Gallagher

Cell: 267 939 0365

helpfulsitters@gmail.com