Maria
I understand the challenges you are facing as a Care Giver for your parents, grandparents, and loved ones. I get it! I get you! I've been in the 'trenches' personally and professionally for more than 40 years combined from family to patients and everyone in between.
Caregiving Teacher & Coach
Hello, I'm Maria
In my own experiences, I've seen the struggle, the exhaustion, and the selflessness that comes with this role. And that's what motivates me to offer you practical strategies that will make your care giving journey easier. You've taken on a noble task, and I believe it's my purpose to you to provide the best care possible, while also taking care of yourself.
It took I would say three to four years of my sister and me to have those 'talks' with our parents as they dragged their feet to maintain their independence for as long as they could. I can't blame them because what was about to happen was truly the worst decision they would have to make to choose either one of their daughters and their families to live with and bring with them levels of assistance in their day-to-day routine of retirement and aging that dampened their spirit with the decline in their health and physical abilities.
Professional Oportunities
There was an amazing opportunity when I became the owner of a personal training franchise! While in franchise university I learned so much about my business from the training of staff, training clients, sales, advertising, marketing, networking, joining the chamber of commerce, and several networking groups developing relationships along with personal and professional growth.
Leadership roles in rehab sparked my interest in getting my certification as an Assisted Living Administrator. The ALF Core Training is designed for prospective assisted living facility administrators in preparation for taking the state-mandated competency exam and meets the state's requirements. This encompassed planning, directing, organizing, marketing, staffing, budgeting, and beyond.
We began noticing changes in my parents for several years and in particular with my mom. I took several continuing education courses (which are required every 2 years to maintain state licensure) geared toward Alzheimer's and Dementia. After course completion, I still didn't feel as though I was able to determine what the different types of dementia were and how to communicate with those living in a relationship with dementia. It was then I was introduced to the most amazing work of Teepa Snow! I spent hours one night unable to sleep and watched Teepa's intro videos on her website and was 'hooked' ever since. I worked on my PAC Certified Independent Trainer certification with Teepa and facilitated workshops for my rehab teams of professionals, providing continuing education credits, and working within assisted living communities, families, and caregivers.
Caring for My Parents
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Prior to me becoming a full-time caregiver for both my parents, I was privileged to care for my late mother-in-law for a year while she battled cancer and chemo. I worked as a PRN (as needed) Therapist when caring for my late mother-in-law with cancer. That allowed me to take her to appointments, chemo, etc. Eating by far was her biggest challenge and she lost so much weight we had to buy new undergarments and clothing twice in one year so she would be comfortable and her clothes fit her properly. She spent the last couple of weeks of her life in a Hospice House the care they provided her was gentle, accommodating, and educating our family was so comforting and consoling.
Caring for My Mother-in-Law
So I guess that's what inspired me to become a Physical Therapist Assistant! I've worked in a variety of healthcare settings including but not limited to out-patient clinics, home health care, skilled nursing facilities/Rehab in which I was Director of Rehabilitation working closely with my rehab team of caring and talented care staff professionals.
Inspired to Work in Health Care
I was my mom's sidekick when she was a care giver for her mom/mama. Mama had a stroke in her mid-fifties and was paralyzed on her right side. Eventually, she was able to do some independent tasks for herself, but definitely needed help with bathing, and dressing, and used a quad cane and an ankle-foot brace when walking.
My Care Giving Journey
