Choosing a home care agency

Sep 30 2016

Our Quarterly Caregiver Queen: Meet Aida

Every once in a while you come across someone that is truly special. Aida is that kind of person.

Aida replied to an ad we placed for a caregiver last winter. She was one of many, but I remember calling my business partner (Paul) after I interviewed her and telling him I’d thought I’d found a “winner.” She’d moved from California and was acclimating to her new home town. She said she’d not had any luck finding anything and was surprised. So was I. Their loss was Caring Companions gain.

Shortly after she started I got a call from one of the clients she was working with. Then another. Both clients told me they loved hav

ing her around. They not only appreciated her work ethic, but also enjoyed her company.

Caring Companions of Atlanta strives to not just find great caregivers, but align them with clients based on likes and dislikes. Personality fit, etc. It is an aspirational goal, but one we sincerely attempt to fulfill. In Aida’s case, she makes it easy. She seems to have a natural ability to adapt to various personalities…find common ground and establish an authentic connection. In retrospect, the day I received those calls was one of the best I have had as President of Caring Companions.

Aida is not just a caregiver for us, however. She has a family…including an adult sister she also cares for. She spends half her time with us…the other half caring for them. She has a passion for caregiving, but also can do much, much more and has been helping with recruiting in addition to her duties helping clients.

Thanks Aida…for helping folks in need and for being a part of the team. Monday morning, I paid a surprise visit to one of her client’s homes where Aida was working. I’d called the client and told her Aida was this quarter’s Caregiver Queen. The client asked me “do I need to keep it a secret?!” She was so excited to see Aida recognized. Aida was surprised complete with accolades, a gift card and flowers. We are proud to know you and appreciate what you do!

Adam

Sep 26 2016

Hot Dog! Fun Friday at Amy’s Place in Historic Roswell!

If you have not “Liked” us, we can’t “Fun Friday” you. Thankfully, Pam and Earl HAVE “Liked”

us…so, this past Friday. Caring Companions of Atlanta had the pleasure of paying them a surprise visit, complete with donuts and a balloon! Take a close look at the balloon…quite apropos when delivered by two middle aged owners of a home care company in an industry so dominated by females!

Every time I drop by for a quick visit at Amy’s Place, I and up staying a while. It seems to attract good folks and I always open my ears and learn a thing of two. Friday, Paul and I ended up talking to Pam for quite a while and benefited from a unique perspective I’d never really considered. Pam recounted a story in which she cared for someone that suffered from dementia…a person that eventually lost recognition of her. In doing so, however, Pam eventually got to know that person from a perspective that never would have been possib

le had the disease never come to pass. Friday’s lesson…take what is presented and always think of the glass as half full. A silver lining awaits. I need to

take this to heart the next time I have that negative vibe!

So Earl seemed quits interested in both Paul and the donuts. On two occasions, the pint-sized dachshund broke into wind-sprints as Paul egged him on. It was quite a site to see his little legs in a blur as he raced back and forth. He later recovered from his antics on my lap. Earl really adds to the atmosphere at Amy’s Place. He has an energy and demeanor that makes folks smile. Well, me anyway!

I wonder if Pam ever offered him a donut!? Earl? Did you get one? If not, let me know…I’ll hook you up!

Sep 13 2016

Sandy Springs Car Show and Festival with Insignia!

Hi everyone:

As many of you know, Caring Companions of Atlanta LOVES helping partners with their events and are in the midst of doing just that with Insignia Senior Living. This coming Saturday, September 17th, we are part of a car show and Alzheimer’s fundraiser with them. The event will take place at the First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs at 650 Mount Vernon Highway NE. The event goes from 10 AM to 2 PM and will feature not only the cars but also, a dunking booth (any volunteers?!), food, a bouncy house, face painting, mini train rides and other fun stuff. But the biggest news is….drum roll…my little, old motorcycle with be proudly shown as well!

I bought “Blue” (a 1981 Honda CM 400C) about 35 years ago and she remains my faithful companion. We have logged some 13,000 miles together and she’s lived in 3 states. She took me back and forth from Chicago to Madison, Wisconsin while I attended college. I vividly recall my first ride on Blue..I picked up the bike at RPM Honda in the Roger Park neighborhood of Chicago. I paid about $1,100 all-in and rode off the lot. I was so nervous, my legs stuck straight out as though I was taking flight. I remember the guy yelling “DON’T TRY TO STOP IT WITH YOUR FEET! USE THE BRAKES!” I was scared stiff but made it home.

Since I got Blue, I have had a bunch of other bikes. But they just come and go. Blue will never be sold.

Please do come to the event this coming Saturday…we will have a ton of fun and you can have a brush with greatness by meeting Blue. Plus you will get to see Jennifer Franks and Chelsea Taylor from Insignia of Sandy Springs. They create endless fun and entertainment for their residents and I am happy to be included from time-to-time!

Adam

Jul 28 2016

SummerFest at Amy’s Place in Roswell, GA

Those of you that follow us on Facebook know we love being a part of events like the SummerFest we helped plan at Amy’s Place in Roswell, GA! I say helped, because there were a ton of others involved (see the Amy’s Place newsletter link below for a complete listing of all those that helped). However ,a special shout-out to Neil Scott Barbour for his work as MC and saxophonist Ollie Patterson for his fantastic prowess on the horn!

There was plenty for all to do including a puppet stage, two live musicians, an appearance by the Center for Puppetry Arts, snow cones, hot dogs, cotton candy, raffles and even crafts. Two-hundred or so people showed up and everyone had a

terrific time despite it being a steamy day in July! I spotted impromptu puppet shows as some of the younger guests played. The prize table for the raffles was loaded and I saw lots of red and blue tongues and lips from the snow cones! There was no shortage of cookies either!

I continue to be so impressed by Amy’s Place and their leadership Pam and Jean. I feel like a one-man ambassador talking them up to everyone I meet! Their work to help families facing dementia is truly wonderful.

I know there is talk of a second SummerFest at Amy’s Place in 2017. Pam and Jean…COUNT Caring Companions of Atlanta IN!

Caring Companions of Atlanta has chosen helping facilities like Amy’s Place entertain their constituents as a cornerstone of our community involvement. In addition to the SummerFest, we have helped Insignia of Sandy Springs with Senior-Senior Prom, offered the British Voice Talent to numerous facilities for readings and jumped in with Dogwood Forest to lend a hand with several of their events.

Come on seniors…let’s have some fun!

Amy’s Place Newsletter

Adam

Jul 13 2016

July 21st is Amy’s Place SummerFest!

Everyone likes a little summertime fun! Next Thursday, Amy’s Place is THE place to be!

I met the Executive Director of Amy’s Place, Pam Van Ahn via my friend Neil Scott-Barbour (the British Voice Talent ) last winter. Amy’s Place is a social gathering spot for the family caregiver who takes care of a loved one with dementia. Dealing with dementia can be so taxing on families and having a place to go spend time with people facing the similar circumstances can be so helpful.

A Great Orgainization!

When I first met Pam, she spoke of planning and event. Exactly what that would be was undecided, but she was leaning towards some summer fun. As a career event executive prior to entering the senior space, I was very intrigued. Well, the idea blossomed into a summer festival. A group of us got together and volia! So, on July 21st, come for an afternoon of fun at 14 Sloan Street in Roswell. The fun starts at 1 PM and goes until the evening. Everyone is welcome and there will be food, live entertainment, crafts, games, a puppet stage and raffles. Don’t miss out!

Great idea Pam! All of us that have had the privilege of lending a hand really appreciate all you do!

Adam