30+ years in the caring professions; reliable, ever cheerful, diligent and kind. Supporting: Ageing Well, Ageing Safely - helping people remain comfortably in their own homes. * * * I am currently living in West Vancouver and I am seeking a live-in position in the Greater Vancouver area so that I may remain close to my mother who lives in Edgemont Village. * * * I have a 25 year career as a Chinese medicine physician and university lecturer. I am not licensed to practice here in Canada, only in the UK, so I have decided to put my considerable healthcare experience towards offering live-in caregiving. I put myself through college doing 'Care in the Community', which I did for 6 years. I loved this work, I enjoy spending time with Elders, and it was a heartwarming experience to bring some cheerfulness and companionship to those not easily coping on their own. I have had rigorous training through UK Social Services, in conjunction with the NHS (National Health Service). I have certified in: CPR First Aid at Work - level 3 Food Safety: courses 1 to 4 Moving and Positioning Using Lifting Apparatus Dementia Awareness Carer Training End of Life Care Stroke Awareness Diabetes Awareness This was a truly rounded experience as it gave me significant exposure to many aspects of eldercare and disability care, as well as end of life care. I was a part of a team of 6 and we cared for the people in the village where I lived plus the 2 neighbouring villages. My eldercare experience includes: All aspects of ADL ​(assisted daily living) Anxiety & Depression ​Dementia Alzheimer's Parkinson's Disease Multiple Sclerosis Stroke Surgery Recovery ​Bereavement Palliative Care Hospice Care at Home I was also principle carer for my father-in-law for 15 years, helping through many hurdles in his ageing process; Parkinson's and related dementia, macular degeneration (he became legally blind) deafness, chronic pain due to WW2 injuries, depression. I have experience with hoists and adapted vehicles and feel comfortable to competently learn use of any new equipment. I am a Canadian Citizen, have a recent criminal background check, have a 100% clean driver's license and I am triple vaxxed. I have 30+ years experience, and bring a wealth of calm and cheerfulness to all that I do. If my combination of youthful energy and mature experience appeals to you, then do please be in touch for an informal chat to see if I might be a good fit for your family. For a comprehensive picture of my skills, experience and capabilities I invite you to view my resume-website: janiwittaker dot com I look forward to hearing from you.

* * * I was born here in BC, in Prince George, and grew up on the North Shore, first as a young child in West Van and then over at the top of Capilano in North Van. The mountain was my playground. I left Canada in 1986, after working at Expo (that was so much fun!), and travelled the world backpacking for 3 years, including a year living in Japan. I met and married a British man and spent 30 years in England, in Oxford where I raised my family, and in London where I worked. In 2017 I decided to take a sabbatical and to return to the West Coast to be near my mom for a while. I ended up working on a project down in Seattle, and then in 2020 I skedaddled back over the border to ride out the pandemic here in BC. I have been working as a live-in caregiver since then, first with an Alzhemiers client, then with a 4 generation family where I cared for the 88 year old great grandmother who had a paralizing stroke (hoists & chair) as well as working as nanny/tutor for her 3 great grandchildren (special needs). The family relocated to the interior and I wanted to remain near to my mom, so I then took a position supporting hospice palliative care at home for a woman with end-stage Parkinson's. I was also supporting her husband of 59 years to cope with his anxiety and encroaching dementia as he went through the tribulations of losing his wife. I am currently coming to the end of a short-term position supporting a woman with MS. She is chairbound and we use transfer boards, hoists and her adapted vehicle to give her maximum mobility. I enjoy caregiving, making people as comfortable as possible, lightening their day with company and conversation. It is important to me to be able to support all the family members, so that time spent with the Elders becomes a true visit rather than a long list of chores. Through my undergraduate and post graduate work I have a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, and a strong familiarity with pharmachology. As a Chinese medicine physician, my clinics have always been based within a medical office. My specialisms are in obstetrics and gynaechology and andrology (male urogenital systems) and paediatrics. In my long career I have treated Infants-to-Ancients, people of all ages and all stages. My real area of expertise is understanding the interplay between digestive, reproductive and stress hormones. I am very experienced in working with anxiety and depression. I am a vocational caregiver. I enjoy making people comfortable, I love cooking and I am a meticulous housekeeper. I consider it a great priviledge to care for Elders.