CARER IN TRAINING

Me and Lilian 2010, photo by Laurette's photography

After a recent fiasco when the nursing services forgot to organise a substitute carer for me, we decided to look at other options.

A local service, Strand Dienssentrum, was recommended to us and Karin went to investigate.  This service centre is situated around the corner from us and is run without profit for the community.  Karin came back very impressed with what they had to offer; a tea garden, daily meals which can be delivered, a hairdresser, foot care, transport to shops, and a nursing/caring service. 

We made an appointment and the nurse who runs the service came to see us to discuss my current needs and what the options were to run my caring more seamless.  The option we all liked best was to send my current housekeeper/cook/unofficial carer on a carer training course.  During the time she is in training one or two other carers can then be trained to take care of me.  They can then serve as substitutes when Lilian is ill or on leave.

Lilian the cook in action

Lilian, who is very proud of her newly acquired cooking skills (taught my moi), was very keen to further her education to be trained as a carer.  I was very lucky to get Angie, who cared for a local MSA patient for 3 years, as a substitute.  She was shown the ropes by Lilian before her course started to make the transition as easy and stress free as possible for me.

Lilian, who still helps out on Saturday mornings, came in beaming with pride with the good results of her first test.  The course is in English, which is a bit of a problem for this dominantly Afrikaans speaking lady, so she left armed with my Afrikaans/English dictionary to help with translations.  Her uniforms are hanging ready for when she starts the practical side of her training at a retirement home soon.  In a couple of weeks I'll catch her pride smile on camera when she walks in here fully trained and in uniform.

Although Angie is taking good care of me, her cooking skills are not so hot.  Because of my back problem I am no longer able to sit for long stretches in the kitchen to train and supervise her.  Until Lilian’s return we’ll have to make do with ready cooked meals from Woolies, depend on the occasional pizza delivered by Mr Delivery, meals cooked by our son on weekends, and braais (barbecues) by hubby and friends.  I think we’ll manage!