Douglas S.

About Douglas

I believe that I am an excellent care taker do to the fact that I have had 10 years of experience in this field, of which there is no substitute. During this time I have encountered a host of challenges that I feel I have handled brilliantly. I feel that I am a seasoned, highly qualified candidate for this position. What I am particularly proud of is that I frequently took on the challenging task of working intently with the available Alternative to Work Programs that my house residents attended daily. Working conjointly with managers and employees of these establishments I was often needed to help with i designing highly individualized work activities for the clients I was responsible for. The design parameters of these individualized work programs had to meet the wrap-around needs of the client, often having to problem solve situations that proved to be highly complicated. This was often a challenge, for if the resident became un-interested in his/her work, or otherwise, disengaged, then what ensued was a set of behaviors that tended to be counter-productive to the individual and to the group environment as a whole. If the tendencies/behaviors were not subsequently dealt with successfully, in a timely fashion, then the resident would be sent home prematurely thus, missing out on his/her potential income of a “full” day's work.

Caregiving Services & Expertise

Experience & Education

Photographer

Dec 2014 - Present

Muses Photography

Currently, I am keeping my self afloat via mostly real estate photography (and some event coverage… accept weddings :)) Specifically, I still know a lot of realtors, from being a Home Inspector, that need photos of their listed properties to place in an assortment of publications, especially the RMLS. Delighted to say, I have been involved in photography for over 35 years. I enjoy the work accept on difficult shooting days… like shadows of rapidly moving clouds… However, my true desire is to return to my career as a a caretaker a soon as possible I feel satisfied when I bring my own unique, personal, touch, my very own sense of style (of which each of us has) I feel that I am able to successfully bring comfort, safety, security, a bit of joy and a sense of humor to those that I serve. When I am functioning in this care-taking capacity I feel that I am truly contributing. That just perhaps I am making some one else’s life just a little bit better. ,

Dec 2014 - Present

Caretaker

Jan 2007 - Jan 2014

Full time in home care of my mother who suffered from dementia. She died just recently.

I provided general attention to mom's needs in accordance with an established Service Plan. I Provided companionship including, but not limited to: talking and listening, reading aloud, and provided social and emotional support. I promoted mom's mental alertness through involvement in activities of interest. I provided emotional support and promoted a sense of well-being. I provided a clean, safe, and healthy environment. I performed housekeeping tasks including laundering of garments and linens. Prepared and served meals. Ensured that dishes were washed and kitchen was kept clean. Ensured the overall health and safety of the mom. Observed and reported any changes in mom's mental, physical, or emotional condition to her primary care physician. Utilized equipment including a hoyer lift and a wheel chair safely and properly. Assisted mom with ambulation and transfers. Maintained confidentiality regarding all of mom's medical and personal information.

Jan 2007 - Jan 2014

Home Inspector

Jan 2001 - Jan 2007

Sharp Home Inspection (self employed)

In the year of 2,001 I became a State Certified Home Inspector. The studies and subsequent state proficiency tests took me approximately 1 year to complete. My job was to inspect targeted homes for potential homebuyers via close examination of all major systems; and to identify any existing issues of rot and or bug infestation. Thus, advising the home buyer of all significant, and often costly, defects that were present. I did very well until around 2005 when the housing market collapsed, thus, creating very little need for home inspectors, for not many homes were “moving” at this time.

Jan 2001 - Jan 2007

Caretaker

Jan 2004 - Jan 2006

Xenox Inc.

In 2005, to augment the dwindling receivables from my Home Inspection business. I was then hired to provide care for an elderly gentleman who happened to be a quadriplegic. ( I also continued to perform home inspections when the opportunities arose). The gentleman had very little use of his limbs and needed assistance in all phases of care. I had many duties including but not limited to: cooking, cleaning, laundry, administered medications, used a hoyer lift, and often bathed the gentleman upon the events of incontinence. I provided continual, concentrated, effort to the ever so important issues of nocturnal comforts. For he could not mitigate heat and cold like we can: So, I was constantly adjusting his covers and rolling him from side to side as he desired. He couldn’t talk, but after a while, some how, we seemingly developed our own mutually understood language; our relationship often reminded me of a finely tuned engine; thus, I was successful at accurately determining the elderly gentleman's every need. ,

Jan 2004 - Jan 2006

On-Line staff the became a Group Home Manager

Jan 1997 - Jan 2001

Good Shepherd Homes

As an On-Line staff person the duties required, but not limited to: assisting with personal care including personal hygiene, bathing, food preparation, laundry and house keeping; scheduling activities and accompanying persons served; ensuring ISP goals are met and the information is documented. As a Group Home Manager my duties included but were not limited to: managing up to six employees. I was responsible for employee schedules, assuring up to date First Aid and C.P.R status, conducted weekly staff meetings, trained staff to deal with challenging resident behaviors, (teaching ISP protocols). Budgeted house moneys and balanced resident funds. Interfaced with medical providers assuring annual resident examinations. As well, I successfully worked closely with my direct manager and interfaced frequently with the resident’s parents as well as successfully managing a multitude of relationships consisting of inter-disciplinary health providers that served the Group Home residents.

Jan 1997 - Jan 2001

Portland State University

Sep 1984 - Jun 1987

Sep 1984 - Jun 1987

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