Sue J.|Maple Valley, WA
$15-30/hr
•
10 yrs exp
•
59 yrs old
My husband and I raised 3 wonderful children who are now grown and out of the home. When my children were young, we moved my husband's grandmother in with us for about 7 months as she was no longer able to live in assisted care because of dementia. It was a joyful, sometimes difficult but very rewarding experience for all of us. When my kids were older, I volunteered through Catholic Community Services to do gardening work for a delightful 80-year-old lady who was still living independently on a large piece of property. After that, when I was taking a medical transcription program through Bellevue College, a friend of mine asked if I could care for her mother, who had Alzheimer's, a couple of times a week so her father could have a break from her constant care. I cared for her for 2 years. Again, I was blessed by this experience. I then began working as a medical transcriptionist, and was with the company for 5-1/2 years. I left that job 2 years ago as sitting in front of a computer several hours a day was beginning to wear on me, and at that time my 16-year-old dog, blind and deaf, needed much more care. My dog lived for over a year longer. I have spent the last year enjoying time for myself and tending to projects around the house. Contemplating what I would like to do with my time now, it is without a doubt that in-home companion care is where my heart is.
Education and work history: I worked in a nursing home as a nurse's aide through my high school years, worked in a daycare, attended WWU for 4 quarters, worked as a veterinary assistant for several years, continued my education in computer sciences at Lake Washington Voc. Tech., office administrator at Financial Resources Group in Bellevue, office administrator for a dental clinic in Issaquah, began a home daycare after my third child was born, soccer and cheer mom for many years, cared for a dear lady with Alzheimer disease for 2 years, attended a medical transcription program through Bellevue College, worked at Amphion Medical Solutions for 5-1/2 years as a medical transcriptionist.
Reference:
-My mother had Alzheimer's, and my dad wanted her to be at home but knew he needed help. Sue was the perfect person to help not only my mom but also my dad. She is caring, gentle and puts her whole heart into caring for the entire family. My dad trusted Sue and never had to worry when Sue was there to take care of my mom. She read to her, cooked and was there for her as a friend and confidant. Sue has a way with people that makes you at ease, but most importantly her caring for others shines through in all she does. I would recommend Sue as a companion care worker wholeheartedly!
-I have known Sue for about 20 years, and she is, without a doubt, one of the most caring individuals I know. Our friendship began when we were both mothers of young children. I remember some of the struggles we both had with parenting, and she seemed like an endless source of patience and understanding. She loves people both young and old. She is unique in that she cherishes the joyful moments, but she's also able to find the pearls that exist while enduring the difficult times as well. When I told her I was pregnant with my third child at age 34, I truly believe she was more excited than I was! She knew that I had little success in nursing my two older children. So she encouraged me and gave me the support I needed, so that I was able to nurse my baby with joy until she was 1-year-old (Sue is also the godmother of this child whom she was so eager to welcome into this world). I felt Sue coached me into being the best mother I could be, even when I was unsure of myself. As years passed, we both had stints with our teenagers rebellions nothing out of the ordinary, really. But again, I always felt I could turn to Sue for comfort and understanding. In the 20 years that I've known her, I don't ever recall her speaking harshly to anyone, even when she had every right to! I remember visiting Sue while she was caring for her husband's elderly grandmother. Sue and her husband actually built an addition on to their home to house this sweet lady who suffered from dementia. I remember asking Sue if it was hard caring for her did Sue ever regret moving this lady into her home? Not one bit! Sue told me countless stories of her talks with grandma, and how much Sue loved her and empathized with her when she was confused or out of sorts. Sue truly has a rare gift of caring for elderly people.
