Helping Hands Hale

Often I am asked by my clients and their families to explain to them “Why and how did I choose to do what I do”. I love sharing my story because it reminds me of quality time spent with my mother and how much I appreciate all the things she taught me and I learned from her. It gives me strong feelings of love, admiration and respect to the woman who was a single parent working nights to support her daughter. I remember when I was 3 years old, my mom would load me in the car and take me to work with her. We would be staying overnight, (sometimes 2 or three) taking care of some elderly person in their home. My mom who was a Certified Nurse would usually be up all night caring for these people. I remember getting up while she was helping them to the restroom or helping them bath. Often she would let me help with little things such as bringing them something to eat or just visit with them. It was like I always had new grandparents to visit and talk to. When I was about 9 years old I would grab my mom’s nursing books she still had from college and I would go read the pages and answer all the questions at the end of the chapter. She would check my work and was shocked how many I got correct. I actually enjoyed her college books more than my own studies. As far as I can remember, I used to accompany my mom as much as I could to her work, whether it be in a facility or private home and I lived for my weekends and summers off from school cause then I could go on the overnights with her which were my favorite. When I was a teenager at the age of 17, I applied for a job where my mother worked in a Supervisory care home. Loved my job which consisted of medication reminders, personal care, helping residents to the dining room, laundry etc. Working with my mom was a bonus. This lasted about a year and then when I was a little over 18 I decided to get my own nursing license. Once I had that I was off and rolling working in a nursing home. I must say I was pretty excited about my accomplishment and my new career. Those feelings quickly deteriorated once I began working in this facility. Not only were we understaffed and underpaid, but I really felt so sorry for the elderly people in these places. They were depressed, neglected, lonely, and so confused as to why they were there and who we were. There was just simply too many who needed more one on one care than what our understaffed facility could provide. I swore I would NEVER put my mom in one of those places. I would look after her as she did so many others. It got to a point where It just broke my heart so I quit my job and decided to pursue other endeavors. In 2005 I moved to the Big Island of Hawai’i. I pretty much sat in limbo for a year trying to figure out my purpose here. I’m not an artist, massage therapist or yoga instructor. I was starting to get frustrated when it finally came to me. There was a neighbor across the street who needed someone to take her to the doctors each week, clean her dishes and make her meals. This was perfect! I worked with her about a year and loved it. It was then that I saw the potential need to provide these services to others just like my neighbor. So I did my research and worked diligently setting up a company that would not only provide professional homecare services, but would support independent living in our community for all the families who have moms, dads, grandparents that are in need of care but wish to remain at home. With my research and experience, I was able to develop a homecare agency that not only was affordable compared to the high cost of nursing homes, but also provided the best quality homecare services by well trained, reliable and compassionate caregivers. We have been going strong now for 11 years and have helped several elderly clients and their families. I feel so good each day knowing that there are more options than just nursing facilities for our moms, dads, and grandparents and that they will be receiving the BEST one on one personalized home care where they can be comfortable, safe, and loved all while keeping their dignity and independence in the comforts of their own homes. “That’s Why I do what I do” T.