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Thanks to my Grandmother!

A Woman Ahead of Her Time

ging is meant to be a privilege and a joy for all, your elderly loved ones as well as you and your family. In my role as
owner and director of operations of Home Care Assistance Edmonton, our prime focus is enhancing our clients’
quality of life with caring, attentive companionship, providing vulnerable individuals with the empathetic help they
A need to remain proudly independent for as long as possible.
Even after more than thirty years in this profession, I am still extremely passionate about our team sharing my conviction
that premier senior care is far from merely ticking off tasks: bathing, grooming, feeding. It’s about truly
valuing the people in your care, imbuing every interaction with the utmost empathy, respect, dignity,
and compassion. Because of this distinctly different approach, many times, we’ve seen clients’ life
expectancies extend years beyond the medical prognosis. Sincere validation works wonders. Just
like everyone else, seniors need to be seen and heard.
I thank my amazingly loving, strong, formidable grandmother for modelling this unique
perspective. The forward-thinking mother of thirteen and CEO of the household, she considered
seeking assistance not a guilt-inducing sign of incompetence or weakness but, instead, the
sagely strategic way to manage more effectively. When my elderly grandfather’s deteriorating
health necessitated more hands-on attention, she wisely brought in supplementary professional
caregivers, a move quite advanced for her era.

ZAREENA MAQBOOL

HOME CARE ASSISTANCE EDMONTON

Zali@HomeCareAssistance.com
HomeCareAssistanceEdmonton.ca I 780-490-7337

Seniors do thrive in a familiar home environment supported by
their loved ones, but caregiving is far from straightforward,
requiring substantial personal resources, mentally,
physically, and emotionally. We know families, intent
on what’s best, have even taken time from work to care
for their parents, but complex health issues, including
dementia, require specific training and expertise.
Caregiver burnout is very real.
To ensure our families’ peace of mind, we’ve
implemented the latest technology in transparency, a
smartphone-accessible, tap-in reporting system that
shows in real-time when our professional caregiver
arrives and leaves, along with the duration of every
completed task. This system allows for relevant notes to
be left for the family and other assigned caregivers.
Truthfully, it’s doing yourself and your loved ones a
disservice to succumb to superhero syndrome, carrying
the burden alone. As the plane attendants always warn
you pre-flight, you must secure your own oxygen mask
first. Figuratively speaking, the same holds true in
caregiving. You’re no help to anyone if your vital life
energies are compromised, so please take a lesson from
Grandma, and reach out. Supporting you while giving
your elderly loved ones that rewarding, meaningful life
they deserve, that’s why we’re here.

Irene Lay Photography

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WOMEN IN PROCESS