Helping the elderly with errands and shopping? Companionship for the elderly?
By SuzzetteMB
@SuzzetteMB (270)
United States
May 23, 2011 4:23pm CST
I went to Publix today. It is a grocery store here in Florida (actually I believe them to be located across the South East region of the United States). And I was shopping with my son. There was this little old lady shopping and she had a helper with her. You could tell she was walking behind her and in "nursing clothes". Many Certified Nursing Assistants here in the US work with the elderly at home and and take them to the store to help them run errands and such. Anyway, this poor little old lady was pretty much trying to do it on her own while the CNA was walking behind her on her cell phone through the whole store. Shoppinng is more than just a physical errand forthe elderly. They also need companionship. Then I saw them walking to the car and the bagger was helping her out with the bags and the CNA was just strolling along not even helping. This confuses me and is so disappointing. Obviously this woman was getting paid and showed no concern for her patient. have you ever seen this. How are the elderly helped at your grocery stores. I would like to start my own business maybe helping the elderly with stuff like this. I can't really work for a company doing things like this because I would always have my son who is 2 years old with me, which I think would be nice entertainment and bring joy to the person being helped as well. We'll see. Just thought I would share this experience with you all and see what your viewpoint is.
2 people like this
3 responses
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
23 May 11
Your helping others along with your 2 year old son. appears to me not possible. I do not know what others are thinking about it. Anyhow if you can make it congrats !
@SuzzetteMB (270)
• United States
24 May 11
Thanks... Yes, you are probably correct. I would never really be able to do this as an actual business. I do, however, believe that I could maybe help one or 2 elderly people once a week with errands and shopping. This I definitely think would be possible even with my son. Yes, he is two, but he is a great companion, very well-behaved, and very entertaining. He brings joy to just about every person he meets out and about running errands with me. I'd love to be able to assist just a few people. I know even with my son with me that I could care for and help someone 100x better than that self-centered woman I saw at the store (that I mentioned in my initital discussion). Just a little warm compasison and care and assistance is all some people need. Thanks for your comments.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
24 May 11
Yours is a good idea. You want to help elderly people. this itself is laudable. further I am sure you will be treating your in-laws and parents very nicely.
I am happy to note about your son--u said he is a great companion-- in contrast, not in the wrong sense--I see children who are difficult to manage in that age--they run here and there and seek our attention all times.
Have a very good day.
@SuzzetteMB (270)
• United States
25 May 11
Thank you. Yes, there certainly are unruly children at his age who are difficult to manage. I see it often. I think for us, it's a matter of me being aware of his limits. I know that when he is tired and it's past the time of his normal nap, that he can become a little grumpy and harder to manage. BUt for the most part, I know his moods very well. As long as I would be careful as to not schedule too late in the afternoon, he would be fine. Thank you for your kind words and taking the time to comment back. It is greatly appreciated. :-)
@GardenGerty (161006)
• United States
24 May 11
Just because she wears scrubs does not mean she has any training.She may not be a CNA. She could just be a non medical provider. I did that briefly. Ideally she would be a companion, and it would enrich the little lady's life and the helper too, if she just knew it. If the helping is non medical then she does not have to be a CNA. I agree with you whole heartedly though that she was not doing her job. On occasion elderly will come up to me in a store and ask for help, I think because I look friendly. Of course I help them find things and reach things. I think it would be wonderful for you with your two year old to offer to come in as a private duty home companion. I think I would draw up a little job description or contract for you to give to your clients. It would be good for them to see your child, they love little kids. It would also be wonderful for him. Please come back and let us know if you do anything like this.
@GardenGerty (161006)
• United States
24 May 11
I specifically hired on with an agency to work with the father of someone in my Sunday School Class, as he was terminally ill and they wanted him to stay in his home. The company was not getting consistent care, and the family found a live in care giver for the rest of his time. I was working this as a second job and was not happy with the agency because they could not get consistent help for him or get me off in time to go to my other job. They expected us to do medical work (which I AM qualified to do) but without proper training. The agency was not licensed for medical but still had us assisting with medical type things. There is not a local agency that hires, and this one out of town was not what I wanted. It all depends on what state you live in as to what you can or cannot do without certification. However, if all you are doing is "companion and housekeeping" you only have to have agency training, if you work for an agency and if you do private duty, you do not HAVE to have any training, but I highly recommend first aid and CPR training, just because it helps you spot potential problems and know when to call for help.
1 person likes this
@SuzzetteMB (270)
• United States
24 May 11
Yes, you are correct. I am not that familiar with medical professions so I probably should not have just assumed that was her position. But if she were a non-medical provider, then boy oh boy, she surely was not doing her job as a companion. How very sad it was to observe. I experience the same as you in the store, often, when elders need a little help reaching items, etc. Whenever my husband and I go to the store together, he or I always ending up helping someone wiht their bags or reaching items, etc. Thanks very much for your vote of confidence that this might be soehting I could do. I was thinking in the same way. That mostly all older people love seeing babies and toddlers and children. They seem to get so much joy out of just observing him and his carefree, happy behavior. I will definitely let you know. Maybe I should really start looking into this seriously. I would love to be able to help out for the next few years at least until I am finished with my schooling. Thanks very much for your comments. Oh, by the way, did you enjoy your time being a companion and helper for the elderly? What made you stop doing this job?
2 people like this
@zukichucha (991)
• United States
23 May 11
My brother in law has a homemaker come to the house. He is a 31 year old autistic man. She comes 3 times per week and gets paid for 4 hours per day (she only stays for about 2 each day though). I don't understand why she is here. From the moment she comes till the moment she leaves she is either on the phone or watching television. There is a list of things she is supposed to do but since my mother in law is retired she doesn't need to. What is the point of her being here then? I wish I had her job. She comes late, leaves early and doesn't do anything!
@GardenGerty (161006)
• United States
24 May 11
The problem with discontinuing services is that it is so hard to get it re established, if it is being paid for by SSI or Medicaid or Medicare. The homemaker in question needs to be replaced. If she comes from an agency, the agency needs to know what kind of service she is providing. I have worked in other caring professions--such as an agency that provides support for the adult disabled, like the brother in law. I am a mature adult, started that as a second job. I worked my way into a management position, but I could not keep good staff under me. If his care giver is watching what HE chooses with him, that is alright. It is his television, though and if she is watching what she chooses and not with him it is exploitation. Guys, there was an interesting discussion started here last night by a person who receives in home support, about what happened when her usual caregiver went on vacation for a week. If I find the link I will post it.
