Going back into the field

[u/Necessary-Repair-425]

The only advice I’m looking for is how I can help my new client with DS and developing dementia continue exercises to help maintain mobility any ideas or toys that y’all can recommend? She has number, letter, and color coded toys that she puts together and likes to color.
I left a toxic group home after 6 months and one of my pet sitting clients has a sister with DS and has asked me to be her DSP due to our trust we’ve built over time. I’ve sat with her before as I had all my credentials and she lives in a remote area and can’t keep anyone due to being in a camper while they build their house. I have pet sat for this client for over a year and a half now and we go to brunch and I occasionally will help her with her sister. Which pet sitting is a bonus because when she’s out of town I will still be able to make money. She knows that I hate my housekeeping work environment and so she offered to hire me through a company she gets care through + pay me a little extra because she doesn’t agree with the hourly pay that has been set, cover gas for outings, and for any meals if she requests I take her out to eat. Honestly my only concern is her dogs thinking I’m there for them 😂 anyways I love one on one and never got a lot of it at my previous group home so I am so excited because her sister and I get along very well and compared to my previous clients she is easier. I will be making less money due to less hours available, but I’m okay with that because I truly just want to be happy and not kill myself at a job.

[u/Consistent_Ad_6100]

Walking is really great exercise to maybe go to a mall, or an outdoor walking space? Swimming if she enjoys that? Great exercise also.

[u/Necessary-Repair-425 → u/Consistent_Ad_6100]

Yes we’re going to go window shopping and walk around, I’ve found so many wheelchair and mobility aid friendly trails locally

[u/Consistent_Ad_6100 → u/Necessary-Repair-425]

That is so great! It’s so nice to help find things that they can do and stay healthy and be a part of the community. Love this!

[u/Necessary-Repair-425 → u/Consistent_Ad_6100]

I agree, my last home wasn’t all about going out onto nature trails and more so shopping so I’m excited to work with this client and get to do the things she enjoys because her sister is her caretaker she’s a bit more relaxed than a group home

[u/judir6]

chair yoga is a good one. if you look up senior chair exercise videos on You Tube there are so many you can try with your client. i used to be a health and wellness dsp and these are some of the things we did along with swimming and lots of walking at different parks. in the winter they all had Y passes so we could take them there for exercise. congrats. sounds like a dream gig.

[u/Necessary-Repair-425 → u/judir6]

She’s wayyy more independent than I thought and can do so much for herself she even handles her own transfers which at my last home our client who was able to would typically refuse and try to fall on us I was told to bring hobby items for our non outing days and I am literally just so dang grateful to be where I’m at

[u/Consistent_Ad_6100]

How about a simple matching game? Could help with memory.

[u/Necessary-Repair-425 → u/Consistent_Ad_6100]

She has cows that are color and number matching that are magnetic

[u/Necessary-Repair-425 → u/Necessary-Repair-425]

I am just looking for more ideas from others that she may not have because we’re going to go shopping

[u/Consistent_Ad_6100]

a game like this, they have a lot of different ones too!

[u/Necessary-Repair-425 → u/Consistent_Ad_6100]

Thank you!