It is the time of year when families gather. It is also a time when families often notice changes in their older family members that have occurred since the last holiday. While it is difficult to accept the fact that loved ones’ health is declining and they may no longer be able to handle their own lives, living miles apart from them makes matters worse.
Still, they need help – and the experts say family members need help, too.
Whether a loved one needs a little help or a lot, Comfort Keepers may be a solution.
“We will do anything as basic as companionship to dealing with incontinence and dementia. The same with Alzheimer’s,” said Comfort Keepers owner Cindy Harris. “We transport them to doctor appointments, prepare meals, do grocery shopping, laundry, light housework, remind them to take their medication, even change the litter box.”
The mission of Comfort Keepers is to keep a person in his or her own home as long as possible and, if necessary, follow them into an assisted care facility.
Harris says it is very difficult for some children to see their loved ones decline, but having eldercare makes life easier from both the parent and child.
“We understand their pain and that mom is not going to remember [everything] anymore,” she said.
“They are a very good outfit,” said Robert Stout of Flagstaff. “They have been helping us for 15 years because my wife is a paraplegic as a result of Multiple Sclerosis. We have people here three or four times a day.”
Comfort Keepers arrives during the day to help with meals, hygiene and transfers from wheelchair to bed and back.
“It means Julie can live here and stay at home. If I didn’t have this she couldn’t live here. I can’t do it. I am on a walker and we are both in our late 70s,” Stout said.
Harris said she got into the eldercare business to make her life count.
“I really wanted to do something with my life that made a difference, instead of going to a job every day,” she said. “We have a very good reputation in the community and we do our best to keep that good,” she said.
Harris looks for one special quality where she hires employees. “We need a person with a heart. You have to care about people. This is hard. You know you are dealing with people who could be passing. You are with them at the end of their journey. Our caregiver may be with them when they pass after being attached to them for a long time.”
Comfort Keepers has a program that helps military veterans with paperwork to receive free in-home care. The company is located in both Prescott Valley and Flagstaff.
For more information, call 928-541-0888 for the Prescott Valley office and 928-774-0888 for Flagstaff, or visit comfortkeepers.com/flagstaff.
What is your favorite television program and why?
“I have several, from M.A.S.H to Madam Secretary. I like good comedies.”
Where do you like to vacation?
“Anywhere there is a beach and water.”
What book would you recommend?
“’The Tipping Point,’ by Malcolm Gladwell. It helps you understand what is happening in society right how. I learned a lot.”
Who do you admire?
“I admire my parents. They are no longer with us.”
When was the last time you laughed really hard?
“This morning. My employees make me laugh. We laugh a lot around here.”
By Patty McCormac, QCBN
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