The Northwest Voice

All > Letters > Letters
New Rosedale business helps older people remain in their hom
Topics:
Posted by wildman Mon Mar 7, 2005 13:56:00 PST
Viewed 459 times
0 responses 0 comments There is a new business in Rosedale that is helping older people remain in their homes, rather than become institutionalized.

Up until my mother was 95, she was able to live alone in her home. But then she suffered a stroke, landing her in the hospital for two weeks. Her physician didn't think she would live, but somehow she survived.

When she was dismissed from the hospital, she required more constant care than I could provide, so I placed her in a nursing home. During the month she was there, she continued to improve, but near the end of that first month she started asking me when I would bring her home.

While the nursing home was able to provide more care than I could alone, it was very expensive, yet each staff member was taking care of more than a dozen residents. I also noticed that on numerous occasions residents had to wait a long time for care when they rang for assistance.

Hence, I decided to call HomeStay (lic. 0569560, phone 477-3908), and I have been very pleased with their services. Fidelia Galarza, the owner, sends care-givers to my home who stay with my mother throughout the day, and I take care of her at night. The cost is much less than the nursing home.

I employ one of their care-givers to help my mother wash, get dressed, eat breakfast, and do the laundry, and this lady works from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Another lady then comes at 10:30 a.m., and she stays until 6:30 p.m. She does some cleaning, prepares lunch and dinner, and plays cards with my mother. Often, they will just watch television. On weekends, another lady comes from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and does the same kind of work.

None of these ladies provide health care, except to remind my mother to take her medicine at the right time. What they do is provide my mother with companionship throughout the day, and they make it possible for her to stay in my home here in Bakersfield while I am at work.

Of course, my mother would prefer to return to live by herself in her own home, but that just isn't possible anymore. What HomeStay is making possible is an enjoyable life for my mother here at my home, rather than in an institution.

I thought people in Rosedale might like to know about this new business. I hope I can live in my home for as long as possible, and HomeStay will undoubtedly be helping many older people do just that.

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation