Mary W.

About Mary

I am an experienced care manager, as well as a caregiver. I can schedule, train, and manage your private caregivers, or I can give you the best tools to do that yourself. I can assist on a scheduled basis, or simply as needed. I can be the contact for your caregivers if you are away. Often the need for a caregiver arises quite unexpectedly. The process of knowing how often a caregiver is needed, exactly what can be expected of a caregiver, how to solve problems that may arise, and how to assess if the client and caregiver are a good fit, can be overwhelming. I can help with any or all of your concerns. I come to every job, caregiving or managing, with documents that I customize to assist myself and the client. I bring forms to list medications and when they are given, medical conditions, a form to record vitals, blood glucose, food and fluid intake or output, etc and a schedule to list and organize household duties. I also bring a journal in which I record each day. I am passionate about the work that I do. I am outgoing and pleasant by nature, and very organized. I am familiar with a good deal of the medical conditions that come with age. I am also familiar with the many medications that treat these conditions. I believe that my knowledge makes me a better, more understanding, and compassionate caregiver. I believe that aging at home is an excellent alternative to care in a facility. A great caregiver can make that possible. I know that to be a great caregiver I have to be caring, compassionate, intuitive, and motivated to ease the burdens of physical and mental decline. I have to adjust my behavior to suit the personality and preferences of the person in my care. I also have to be accountable, as my care can make the difference between a client suffering quietly or happily thriving. I continually strive for excellence in the hope that my care will make a difference.

Caregiving Services & Expertise

Experience & Education

Caregiver Manager

Mar 2019 - Present

Private

I manage a team of 2 to 4 caregivers working 24/7 for an elderly gentleman in his home. I am responsible for hiring, training, scheduling, and managing the team of caregivers. I work to ensure that the caregivers are well prepared and supported. In addition, I manage the household, including refilling and sorting weekly medications, grocery shopping, repairs, scheduling doctors visits, home health, and physical therapy appointments, communicating with doctors, home health, and family members, and making sure that the household and his care are running smoothly. I write and update a list of medications, assistive devices, allergies, emergency contacts, and medical conditions so that my client's doctors, hospital, pharmacy, and family members all have his current information. I strive to provide consistently excellent care in a warm and peaceful environment. I thrive on both the complexities and rewards of this job.

Mar 2019 - Present

Caregiver Manager, Caregiver

Jan 2017 - Feb 2019

Private

I was responsible for developing and implementing the scope of care for an elderly friend in her home in Dripping Springs. After disappointing experiences with live in care, and care provided by two different agencies, I agreed to coordinate 24/7 care for my client in her home. I hired, scheduled, trained, and managed a team of 4 caregivers. I developed an "open door" policy whereby friends and family were encouraged to stop by frequently and without notice. After observing warm and engaged caregivers tending to their mother every time they visited, family members were able trust us, and could truly relax and enjoy their visits. My responsibilities ranged from direct care, to managing the household, scheduling all health related care, communicating with her doctor and case manager, supporting and educating her caregivers, and keeping her children informed. I taught the caregivers to keep a journal during each shift. The journal kept the family, updated, and it alerted us to minute changes that preceded illness or infection, allowing for treatment before anything became serious. My client passed away peacefully in her home, as was her wish, with her children, myself, and her favorite caregiver by her side. I am profoundly grateful for the entire experience. She taught me to stretch my mind to research and understand the disease process, and my heart to step outside of myself and walk in her shoes.

Jan 2017 - Feb 2019

Personal Assistant/Caregiver

Jan 2011 - Jan 2017

Private

I struggled to find my way after my children were grown. I tried several jobs from licensed hair stylist, to licensed insurance sales, and banking. Even though I achieved some success at each, I was adrift. While taking some time off to find direction, a close older friend began experiencing some major changes in her health. She became confined to a wheelchair and was having difficulty seeing. She lived a busy, multifaceted life, and I began by assisting her on our outings. Gradually her need for my help increased. I accompanied her to doctors appointments, and took notes for her so that we could research and understand what was happening with her health. After a serious reaction to a new medication, both of us realized the importance of understanding each medication, and we watched for interactions and side effects. I became her advocate when she was hospitalized to prevent medication errors, and to keep track of tests and results. I helped her take care of her household as well. With her blessing, I prepared to go to nursing school (although I never made it!), and got my CNA license as a prerequisite. I put what I learned to work, as her health became more complex. By the middle of 2016, I was with her at least 5 days a week. After falling several times at night, she realized that she needed fulltime live in care. I am forever grateful for my friend because she helped me become a caregiver, and, quite accidentally, I found my passion.

Jan 2011 - Jan 2017

Wellesley College

Jan 1981 - Jan 1984

Wellesley, MA

Jan 1981 - Jan 1984

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