Thank you for sharing your gifts with us and our seniors.
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July/Aug/Sept
- Brenda Paul
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- Mary Carol Brouwer
Sally Adgate - Inspiring Caregiver
Throughout this month, as we've celebration National Caregiver Appreciation month, I have had the opportunity to share some of the wonderful people I work with. While they are all amazing, I have to say that Sally is in a class of her own. She epitomizes the power of love and how in giving you receive; which of course is our motto at Seniors Helping Seniors.
Sally Adgate of Saranac - Sally is a native of Beaverton, Michigan, raised her children in Muir and has lived in Saranac for many years. Sally worked at MSU prior to going into caregiving. She has worked in the caregiving field going between private duty and facilities for over 20 years. She has 5 children of her own and enjoys knitting and being with her family. She’ll tell you one of her special talents is Skip Bo, which has actually led to a couple of assignments with us. (One of the special opportunities we have is to learn about a senior’s hobbies and interests and then surprise them with a caregiver that shares those.)
Sally reminds me every time I see her of the dignity that work gives a person. In the bible we see over and over references to making sure there are work opportunities for everyone and that we all embrace the virtue of work. Until I met Sally, I had never really seen the power of this instruction. Sally has reached the point in life where most people choose to sit down and define their activities around their self-interest. Yet that isn’t what she does. Day in and day out, sometimes 7 days a week, she generously goes to assist other seniors. We simply don’t have anyone that asks for assignments more often, organizes care more vigorously or worries about her clients with less self-interest than Sally.
“For it is in giving, that we receive”, St. Francis of Assissi. Sally shows me the truth of this statement with her unfailing energy and commitment to others. She is an example to us all of the dignity of work and the joy that comes from giving. She is an inspiration.
I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for sharing Caregiver Appreciation Month with us.
If you think you would like to join our caregiving team, we invite you to complete our inquiry form. click here
Elaine Bates - Friend and Caregiver
Our caregivers join us for so many different reasons and it is a joy to be able to support so many different needs. As we've all heard, many people need a little extra spending money during retirement, while others are looking for a feeling of purpose after working for many years. And some, well, some just want to offer friendship to those who spend most of their time alone.
Elaine Bates of Rockford - One of our special caregivers, who simply goes the extra mile for her seniors is Elaine Bates. Elaine joined us after retiring from a career as a Software Developer.
Originally from Ohio, she worked at Amway of Ada for 38 years. Like so many of us, her profession was just one part of her life. During those working years, she also took care of her mother-in-law and aunt while caring for her 7 children. She remembers clearly what it was like to juggle everyone’s needs. Through all the demands on her time, she has also diligently volunteered with Amway Relief Trips, Special Olympics and Tutoring at Burton Street School.
Elaine said she joined Seniors Helping Seniors to meet new friends. Which is exactly how she treats her seniors. Elaine regularly brings baked goods, books, puzzles and DVDs to her a special homebound client and spends time playing games and talking with her. It gives me great joy to remember the excitement that this senior shared when showing me a Tablet that Elaine had obtained for her. Not only was the device unlike anything she had ever seen, but Elaine had made it all possible.
People like Elaine make what we do at Seniors Helping Seniors possible and amazing.
If you would like to learn more about being a caregiver, we invite you to complete an inquiry form. click here
Cathy Richardson - Prized Caregiver
As we begin our second week in November, I am pleased to continue celebrating our wonderful caregivers. In my work at Seniors Helping Seniors I get to meet so many wonderful people on a daily basis. I know not all jobs offer the same joy, so I hope these little introductions lift your spirits and increase your confidence in your neighbors.
Cathy Richardson of Wyoming - One of our prized caregivers, Cathy Richardson is a local Grand Rapids woman who graduated from Forest Hills and worked for Meijer for many years. When Cathy joined Seniors Helping Seniors her only requirement was that her caregiver schedule keep Wednesday’s open so she could continue her volunteer work at World Mission Thrift Store.
Cathy brings a cheerfulness and respect for her senior clients that is inspiring to witness. She is so easy to spend time with and talk to that all of her clients ask for her to come back. Cathy is also fiercely protective of her seniors.
Cathy has generously solved water heater problems, plumbing leaks, excessive storage items and socialization issues for her charges. Her seniors' families tell us how confident they are leaving their mom to her care, because of the extra mile she always goes to make sure they are safe and comfortable. Cathy is a special person and is one of the people who make running our company so rewarding.
If you are thinking you might like to join our team, we invite you to complete our inquiry form. click here