Caring Companions Of Atlanta

Helping People Live With Dignity

470-514-5954

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

Aida the Queen Caregiver
Aida the Queen Caregiver

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

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!

Sniff, sniff!
Sniff, sniff!

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

Earl likes Fun Fridays!
Earl likes Fun Fridays!

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!

 

 

 

Home Health Hair of Atlanta…You are as Beautiful as You Feel!

I have mentioned the senior ecosystem many times in my posts and this is another in the series on that topihhhlogo[2]c. As the older adult market continues to expand, so do services geared towards them. I continue to be amazed by the creativity and compassion I see in my fellow service providers.

Every week, a 92-year-old friend of mine makes a pilgrimage to the salon. Occasionally, I drive her. When I first was her chauffer it was a pretty quick trip. But lately, complications in her healthy have made it more and more difficult. He big weekly “social” was often put on hold and she suffered through no shampoo for a couple weeks at a time. I hated that. We’d visit at her house which helped, but she complained about her hair. Seems wanting to look presentable is not solely reserved for the young.

I first met Carolyn Marsh at a senior networking event of a lovely facility called Tapestry House in Roswell (an Insignia property). Carolyn owns a company called Home Healthy Hair (HHH) and at the meeting, she got up and did a brief spiel about her company. It is a remarkably simple yet brilliant concept. They take the salon to the older adult! Seems like the most ingenious concepts often the simplest! Way to go Carolyn!Carolyn

Home Health Hair is a full service provider of hair and skin care in the home. They specialize in not only hair and skin, but also nails, reflexology…cosmetology (even aroma therapy!) all for older adults!  HHH comes directly to the client wherever they reside, and is flexible about scheduling to make the service stress free and convenient.

Carolyn is a licensed Master Cosmetologist and is licensed in Aesthetics/beauty. She loves transforming a client into something truly special (remember, you are as beautiful as you feel!). She also is licensed in reflexology and does targeted massage of the feet, hands, and ears. The method of treatment is based on the principle that certain reflex zones in the body correspond to different body parts all of which are connected. The end result is greatly improved circulation and stress reduction for the client.

In her spare time, Carolyn is also a professional make-up artist and practices her art in film, theater and variety of other places.

Home Health HairI have mentioned Home Health Hair to my 92-year-old friend on numerous occasions. She remains steadfast on heading to the salon weekly (as she is able) but one of these days, I’ll get her to give it a try. And something tells me she will be happy she did!

If you want to speak to Carolyn or contact her about her company, her information is below. Thanks for doing what you do Home Health Hair! We all can use a little assist in feeling beautiful now and then!

Home Health Hair

SummerFest at Amy’s Place in Roswell, GA

Ollie Patterson on the horn
Ollie Patterson on the horn

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

Puppet Show
Puppet Show

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.

Puppetry Arts
Puppetry Arts

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

July 21st is Amy’s Place SummerFest!

Amy's Place flyerEveryone 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