I am a 45 yr old woman who has worked in restaurants and hotels since I was 19. I put myself through college while waiting tables at Kelseys when I was 25-27 and did the compulsory co-op at the Banff Springs Hotel in the summer of '06. Talk about hard work! Starting at 5am-doing 2 hours of polishing before serving and clearing for breakfast and lunch buffets for hundreds of people. I graduated from St. Lawrence College (top of my class-not such a big deal in Hotel Management haha!) at the age of 28 in 2007. This just shows that I'm able to stick it out, support myself financially, and I'm reasonably educated. I can read quite fast, type at least 40 words a minute and probably should have went to Law School! (my mom always said I could have been a lawyer or a talk show host) Over the years since I have worked in hotels, casinos, and restaurants ranging from diner style to fine dining. Starting in the dish pit, then as a line cook and then many years as a Server/Bartender/Manager. This work suited me because I'm social, well spoken, active and organized at work so I can be most efficient and I'm really good with people-especially seniors. I know this is because of the deeply special relationship I had with my Nana who passed last summer. She taught me almost all the qualities I like about myself (including how to fold a fitted sheet like a boss!) but the most important was respect for my elders. Lately the stress and struggle of the restaurant biz has lost it's shine for me and I've decided to change course and pursue my hearts desire to work in Senior companionship. I'm not medically trained but I've spent a lot of time in the hospital with my Nana during several surgeries in the last 2 decades of her life so that stuff doesn't make me uncomfortable, and I've been inspired by the compassion of the kind and gentle nurses and caregivers in that realm. What I notice that breaks my heart, is that our elderly population have become invisible in many ways. Our seniors are fine on their own at home-until they're not and without the resource of family nearby, or health complications that make home care impossible, they are either moved to a retirement home or LTC. My Nana had dementia so I do understand this. She was lonely and we tried to find a suitable companion for her, but things progressed quickly and it became unnecessary. I would like to be able to provide some kindness through companionship in whatever ways are suitable to your family...I'm happy to sit and chat, play cards or do a puzzle, read aloud, listen to their favourite music and help them reminisce, or just sit quietly (though I am chatty I can restrain myself!) If you are still reading this and need someone to spend time with your aging parent(s) either in their home or in a retirement or LTC, so you can have some piece of mind that they are ok and know they are loved and safe...perhaps I can help. It's a scary thing trying to find a kindred spirit! I get it. Let's have a good chat to be sure.