bingCatherine M. | Professional Caregiver in Battle Ground, WA | CareLinx
Catherine M.

Catherine M.

$20.00 / hr

Portland, OR

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About Catherine

I have been a caregiver formally for 14 years, obtaining my CNA license in 2006. However, the first part of my career was spent in the nonprofit sector as a successful administrator/program developer. Then my father had his first stroke. I had always promised that he would be taken care of by his family for as long as possible when the time came, and the time had come. He moved into my home and I realized that I actually was very good at caregiving, and I liked doing it. When my father passed away, I moved to Portland, OR and got my license as a CNA in 2006. I also have a BS in Sociology with a minor in Fine Art, did post graduate work in various behavioral therapies and have spent many years studying complimentary healing modalities. I even spent a few years as an Activity Coordinator for an Assisted Living Center. Love cooking, gardening and pets. I co-owned a cleaning company and was a caterer in the past so I am very familiar with the high standards you deserve. My clients and their families have given me some of the most profound, loving experiences of my life. Together, with client, family and healthcare providers, we will create a progressive and responsive support system. Is your home arranged to serve you best? Does the food that you eat heal or harm you? Have you used an advocate to go to doctor visits with you so you have every advantage for clear and useful information? Is there beauty in your life? What do you want to do with the rest of your life? How can I help you? These are the questions we will answer together. I promise to be professional, responsible, kind, empathetic and meticulous for and with you.

Caregiving Services & Expertise

Services

  • Bathing
  • Dressing & Grooming
  • Toileting
  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Prep
  • Groceries & Shopping
  • Exercise
  • Transportation
  • Housekeeping
  • Companionship

Job Interests

  • Part Time
  • Short Term
  • Holiday Shifts

Caregivers that work non-full-time jobs or irregular shifts can negotiate extra compensation in addition to their standard hourly wage.

Skills & Expertise

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer Recovery
  • Cardiovascular Disorders
  • COPD
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Hearing Disorders
  • Home Health Care
  • Hospice Care
  • Neurological Disorders
  • Palliative Care
  • Post Surgery Recovery
  • Respiratory Disorders
  • Skin Disorders
  • Stroke
  • Senior Care
  • Elder Care
  • Home Care

Languages

  • English
  • French
  • Spanish

Experience & Education

Healthcare manager/caregiver

Jan 2019 - Mar 2021
Private Client
This is perhaps the most wonderful job I have ever had the honor to hold. My client was an 85-year old woman with Alzheimer's. In spite of her wealth, I saw very little support from her family. Her estate was falling apart from years of neglect. Her health was beginning to fail as well, due to the poor quality of care she was receiving from various family members. When I was hired and they realized that I had a knack for organization, healthcare management and home care, they promoted me to manage not only her health but the care/maintenance of the estate. She went from bedraggled to beautiful again. Her home took on a sparkle that hadn't been seen in years. I trained all staff members. Her overall health and hygiene has gone from a 4 to a 10. Her diet is what I like to call "All your favorite foods prepared in a healthy way". When her family refused to spend money on necessary items like grab bars or wheelchairs, I supplied them for her. As I have mentioned before, I prefer to work with just one client at a time. Giving my undivided attention makes me more focused on all the things that can be imagined/ done to deliver the best possible life for your loved ones. I am grateful to be able to serve in this way, giving back for all the wonderful things that make up my world.
Jan 2019 - Mar 2021

Oregon Health Care Association

Jan 2018 - Jan 2020
Portland, OR
Jan 2018 - Jan 2020

Caregiver, CNA

Mar 2015 - Apr 2017
Private Client
Working full-time with only one client has always been my preference. The level of care becomes so much more intense and effective. I was able to have an immediate positive effect on this client; re-organizing and cleaning her home space to make it safer and calmer, increasing the nutritional elements of her diet that addressed her specific healthcare needs, managing her medications and doctor visits as an informed advocate, creating a more stimulating social life by introducing new activities and outings, increasing her strength through routine practice of her physical therapy regime and by becoming a real friend who tried every day to anticipate her needs and bring her happiness. I also grew her favorite flowers, bought her clothes, assisted with all ADLs including bathing and toileting, kept a daily log of all medications, and activities, trained additional staff members later, and believe I really did make a difference in her life.
Mar 2015 - Apr 2017

Private healthcare assistant - CNA

Mar 2012 - Mar 2015
Private clients
I had two private clients in this period; the first being a wonderful and brilliant dentist whom I came to love. He suffered from congestive heart failure and diabetes primarily. I performed many ADLs, created a healthy diet for him, grocery shopped, took him on outings, did his physical therapy with him, managed his meds, wrote detailed reports regarding care plan, took him to doctor's appts, spent many hours with him in the emergency room of Kaiser's hospital and was his primary caregiver during the last 2 months of his life. My second client during this time was a past executive at IBM who lived in Lake Oswego. He was in the last stages of Alzheimer's. I cared for him, his family, his home, their food and complimentary healthcare, their dog and their yard. He required help with all ADLs although he could still walk up until the last week of his life. I was also the primary caregiver for his hospice care.
Mar 2012 - Mar 2015

Activity Director

Sep 2009 - Feb 2012
Elite Care
Created a program for residents that enhanced their quality of life through activities, outings, classes, and personal interaction. In an assisted living center, it is very easy for residents to become isolated and depressed without someone to watch out for all of them. That was how I interpreted the job. I took the time to know each and every one of them, figured out what their individual needs were and worked to fill those needs. I also managed a budget, recorded in a very complicated online log each day for each client, decorated for all events, did research, drove the activity bus and worked with a medical/management team.
Sep 2009 - Feb 2012

Portland Community College

Jan 2006 - Jan 2006
Portland, OR
Jan 2006 - Jan 2006

University of Utah Graduate School of Social Work

Jan 1992 - Jan 1994
Salt Lake City, UT
Jan 1992 - Jan 1994

University of Utah

Jan 1986 - Jan 1991
Salt Lake City, UT
Jan 1986 - Jan 1991

Academia des Belles Artes

Jan 1985 - Jan 1986
Spain
Jan 1985 - Jan 1986

Reviews (2)

StarStarStarStarStar
October 2018
Debra F.
verified ReviewVerified Review
Catherine thank you very, very much for your help to me. You literally moved mountains and helped me organize and were easy going with my being on unsure at some points and very sure at others. I am stunned at how much I have and plan to let a lot more go. I'm wishing you the best!
StarStarStarStarStar
October 2018
Malcolm M.
verified ReviewVerified Review
Great to have someone who can think on her own and figure out creative ways to get things done!
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