Page 19 - Expert Issue 2015 (2)

How Can I Balance it All?

By Marcie Laws

Sometimes in life we are faced with unexpected changes that occur when
least expected. In less than a 12-month period, I became a first-time
mom, a single mom, and I lost my own mother to a very aggressive form
of cancer. On top of it all, I was launching my own small business, Mira-
bella Care. Often called the “Sandwich Generation,” we see more adults
like me, that are required to provide care to their own small children in
addition to their aging parents—all while working full-time.
Fast forward 2.5 years, and I have a successful business that is dedicated
to serving those in need of additional care—on both a short and long-
term basis. We offer assistance to Senior’s that want to remain in their
homes as they age, and also offer support services to busy adults that are
in the same "sandwich" position I found myself in. Having been through
the struggles of balancing all those responsibilities myself, I can often
relate to the struggles and concerns of my clients.
With a background in senior care, combined with a degree in Social Work,
and experience in hospice and end-of-life care, it was an easy decision to
start a company that provides quality assistance to Seniors in need of in-
home care. The addition of personal and maternity concierge assistance
was added to our menu of services to accommodate the larger family unit.

Mirabella Care provides two distinct sets of services: quality in-home
care to seniors, which includes personal care and grooming, medication
reminders, meal preparation, companionship, laundry, and transportation
services.

Secondly, we provide support to people such as: single parents, busy
families, working professionals, and new moms--assistance running their San Diego
households on a daily basis, including: grocery shopping, run errands, Woman
laundry and dishes, home organization, planning special events, meal
preparation, scheduling appointments--anything that eases the daily
burden.
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As the baby boomers continue to age and live longer, the need for in-
home senior care has continued to grow. As working women (and men),
we find ourselves trying to balance busy careers, caring for children at
home, and also providing assistance to our aging and elderly parents.
In order to reduce the stress involved in managing these responsibilities,
my advice to clients and friends is to have a discussion and devise a
plan about the type of care they'd like to receive as they age, including: fi-
nances associated with care, who will provide the care, where care will be
provided, and end-of-life wishes. Discuss it with your family, write it down,
and create a will and advance-directive. This ensures that your wishes are
clear, and hopefully alleviates stress during an emotional time.

Mirabella Care provides employees that are trained, professional, and
truly care about their work. Moreover, we are insured and bonded, and
background and DMV reports are available for all of our employees.
As a boutique-style company, I love staying involved in my client's care,
and have a very hands-on approach. We offer both hourly rates, and Photo Courtesy of Marcie Laws
monthly packages. We welcome both short and long term arrangements.
As a San Diego native, it has been my pleasure to help families in my
community, and provide services that allow families to have more quality
time.

I can be reached at: marcie@mirabellacare.com 858.208.3678
www.mirabellacare.com