This is an incredibly fulfilling job but not without its challenges. Most times we are able to step right in and help families find solutions and adjust to a new normal. Other times families can’t agree on what is best for mom and dad and we are asked to step into the middle and find a solution that everyone can accept. A lot of times seniors resist accepting any type of support because they fear making changes will take away their freedom. And then there are those times when we help create magic – and that is what we want to share today.
This is the story of two special people, we’ll call them Agnes and Johnny, for the purpose of telling their story.
Agnes’ daughters came to us to find someone who could take Mom to the mall once a week so she could walk and shop. Because of Mom’s age, (mid-nineties) the idea was that this person could walk near Mom to ensure safety. Agnes needed a kind of companion who could drive.
Enter Johnny, whom I have known for almost 30 years. I first met Johnny in the 90’s when I was in advertising. He was our agency’s go-to Co-Op cab driver. We could trust him to pick up and deliver anything and anyone, on time and efficiently. He always went that little bit further and got to know so many of us. He was friendly, dependable and he played an important part in the running of the ad agency.
So when Agnes’ daughters made their request, I knew Johnny was the answer. We set up a meet and greet, and Agnes’ daughters put their trust in us.
Fast forward several years and 103-year-old Agnes and kind, dependable Johnny are still going strong. They go grocery shopping, to the hairdresser and to any other of Agnes’ appointments.
They are friends. Johnny clearly adores Agnes. Plus, having Johnny in Agnes’ life has allowed her to remain remarkably independent, and it has allowed her family to play the role of family, instead of caregiver.
Their relationship is so remarkable that when I met a new client, and she was looking for someone who could drive her – I described Agnes and Johnny’s relationship. This lovely new client told me that she saw them, at the local grocery store and envied their friendship.
The right help = connection and connection is magic.
Asking for and accepting help is not only a sign of strength, but also an opportunity for human connection. And connection is what makes a good life.
