Eldercare Services is going through a transition, as am I, as the founder of this fantastic organization, led by professionals, who only care about one thing: the “quality of our client’s lives”.
Graduating from High School is one of the first major life transitions that we as adults make. We leave the safety of having our needs met on most levels, and not having to worry about rent or most other expenses, to facing new challenges as individuals. There is also the emotional transition of going from child to young adult and having the expectation that you are instantly a responsible person. It was not easy; many young adults struggle with this for several years before they actually become “responsible.”
Then most of us enter the roller coaster of life. There are many transitions such as romantic relationships, career moves, marriages, having children, and the death of parents or other close family and/or friends. Each of these events, even the positive ones, take some time to adjust to. Eventually, after 6 months to a year, you wonder why you were so worried. In the case of sudden changes like death or the ending of a job or a relationship, it can take longer to find the new norm.
Some of us may feel like we have lost our identity because of a change. We might have put so much time into a specific role that it is hard for us to think of ourselves as anything but the “mother,” the “husband,” or the “founder of a company”. Of course, we are much more than the roles we play, especially as we strive to maintain the attributes of humility, kindness, compassion, love, and care. That is what matters in life, not the role we play, but how and with what “spirit” we play that role.
As a therapist for the last 30+ years, I have seen many an individual struggle with depression or anxiety as a result of over-identifying with a role they once played. When that life began to transition, they fell into a dark hole. These individuals can struggle in that darkness for years if they don’t seek counseling. We owe it to ourselves to live the highest quality of life possible. Being in the morass of the depth of depression is not going to produce quality. Action and understanding your role is what is necessary.
Eldercare Services has merged with Home Care Assistance, which is a national company excelling in the delivery of caregiving. It was time for my husband and me to transition, and we needed to find a company with the same values as us to be able to let go. Bruce will officially retire after tying up a few loose ends and will begin taking more mission trips with his Rotary club and our church. I will continue on a limited schedule to promote and train Professional Care Managers throughout the newly merged company.
It is time for me to take off the hat as “founder,” but as I pondered that action, I realized that I will always be the founder. Just like many of those other roles I have played – they are still a part of the essence of who I am.
Eldercare Services will flourish, as the need for Aging Life Care Professionals, also known as Professional Care Managers, continues. In the last week of my role as founder, I had the honor of answering the company intake calls. I heard the needs of more than 30 individuals and families that were
in that dark hole of transition. I was able to throw out the life preserver to our care managers who are the advocates, navigators and Sherpas leading families to solutions and peace – staying with them through every transition to make sure that the essence of each individual who needs support is always respected and has the quality of their lives enhanced in every way possible.
I am pleased that the door closing for me now leads me onto the path of a company that wants to offer this guidance, coaching, and navigating to all their home care clients as well.
I will have many free days to explore art, volunteerism, mission and pleasure trips, and spend time with my family. God is good. Thank you for being part of my passion and know that we are still here for you.
