5/12/12 - NEED URGENT HELP!! My new Helper was supposed to arrive at end of May for a few months, but decided today, to take a permanent nursing position in Florida. My current Helper is leaving June 2, and I need a new Helper to arrive BEFORE she leaves, to learn necessary daily exercises my Mother has to do. LOOKING FOR SOMEONE with nursing background, IF POSSIBLE. Also REQUIRE Helper to KNOW HOW TO COOK!! Ongoing assistance needed until end of 2012.

Need Helper at our home in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, for my mother, who is the sharpest, healthiest, most active 89yr old known to man! She tripped July '11 and broke her hip. A simple surgery, turned into a malpractice case, and a serious reconstructive surgery. I brought her home Aug '11, to rehab for 6-12 months, instead of leaving her in a rehab/nursing home.

She has NO medical issues, sleeps thru the night, and has made progress during the past 9 months w/walking w/a walker etc, but she HATES doing all her required exercises, so I NEED someone who is determined, very strong-willed, and can put their foot down and encourage/insist on her doing them 4 times a day, for her benefit, AND so I can attend to my business. It takes approx 10mins each time. She also needs to walk outside AT LEAST once a day, and she's able to go up and down steps with a walking stick, ALL with Helper supervision.
REALLY NEED someone who's either been in the medical field, OR has experience with Physical Therapy, as it seems my mother has less resistance to exercises, with someone who has that type of authority/background! Ongoing assistance needed until end of 2012.

In the mornings, bring her washcloth/toothbrush etc. Make her a cereal/oatmeal breakfast w/tea. Make a light lunch for her, and my brother, and prepare a late afternoon dinner for them both.

Chores incl: Laundry every 2-3 days, changing sheets on her bed, washing dishes, light household cleaning, and feeding Mom's beautiful indoor cat! (If you are allergic to cats, please don't apply!) Also drive her to weekly local physiotherapy sessions.

I need a Helper who is a multi-tasker; is organized, patient, follows directions/PT requirements, enjoys holding vibrant, interesting conversations, but also knows when to be quiet, when to speak, and doesn't require to constantly hear their own voice, AND DEFINITELY can cook! This position takes a VERY patient/determined person, as my Mother is headstrong, and will find excuses not do do things she doesn't WANT to do!

Helper will be allowed to use spare time during the day and weekends to go to the beach, shopping, or other activities, provided minor chores are taken care of, meals are pre-prepared/organized, and all physical therapy exercises are completed. We're a VERY flexible, easy going family, but also require some flexibility from our Helper, due to any unforeseen circumstances.

We ARE NOT slave drivers!! We will appreciate any honest, caring Helper willing to assist us during this very difficult time. We will ALWAYS treat any Helper, with an equal amount of respect, caring, and kindness, as is provided to my mother. We DEFINITELY REQUIRE someone with NO DRAMA!

Maui, Hawaii

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I need any Helper to oversee/monitor/encourage her, with IMPORTANT daily, REQUIRED, Physical Therapy exercises, all of which, she now does standing at a counter. I need a Helper who is a multi-tasker; is organized, patient, follows directions, and enjoys holding vibrant, interesting conversations, but also knows when to be quiet, when to speak, and doesn't require to constantly hear their own voice.

English, some French

My mother lives in an open-plan cottage at the entrance to my half-acre property/nursery, with amazing ocean/mountain views! Helper will sleep in King-Size waveless Waterbed, and will have full access to the entire Cottage/Bathroom. My mother resides, until her full recovery, on a separate, enclosed deck area. Our property is located in an up-scale rural subdivision, immediately above the exclusive Wailea Resort area. We enjoy amazing, unobstructed, mountain/ ocean views of West Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe Islands, and gorgeous sunrise/sunsets. Beautiful beaches are a couple of minutes away, as is the local town of Kihei. EXCHANGE: Room and Board, a Cell Phone (with free LD calls/texts, incl. international), Cable TV, and Internet service provided to Helper: Expected work hours in exchange: Mon-Fri starting between 7:30-8am and varied 'actual work hours' until 5-6pm. Hours will vary, due to potentail future outside PT visits. My Mother DOES NOT require constant attention. She spends the majority of the day, in her wheelchair, on her laptop. If Helper has valid Driver's License, there is a fully insured, automatic '04 Nissan Maxima available to go shopping, run errands, go to the beach, or explore the island on days off, with gas/petrol provided)

Our entire family is originally from England/Scotland. Moved to Maui, Hawaii in 1970's. We've traveled the entire world, and although my mother, two brothers, my son, and myself, are the only family left, (all on Maui), we've each had very interesting life experiences.

My mother is incredibly interesting, and very educated! She's had awesome life experiences, for her entire 89 yrs; Served in World War II in England from 1939-1945, Private Secretary for CEO of British Cast Iron Research for years' after WWII, then a long-time, highly regarded educator in the Birmingham, UK school system, until she retired and moved, with my small family, to join me on Maui. Shortly thereafter, retirement bored her, so she obtained a Real Estate License, becoming top Seller in the State of Hawaii in early 80's. She subsequently owned her own Real Estate Company for 28 years, until 4yrs ago, when she officially retired, to follow her life-long passion writing books!

Since then, she's written two books; both published! She loves all intelligent conversation, loves meeting anyone from foreign countries, including those from our homeland UK! She intensely dislikes: trivial conversation, noise, and any sort of drama! Other than that, she's usually a joy to be around, very positive, encouraging, and uplifting! Anyone coming into contact with her will leave with an undeniable feeling, that they've been fortunate/happy to know her in their lifetime, whilst learning much in the process!

If a Helper is also interested in assisting in my nursery, during any free periods of the day, they will be most welcome! Plants are very therapeutic! I have one Doberman, once Doberman/Rotweiler mix, and a friendly Pitbull, all inside a separate, fenced yard from my mother's cottage. (If you're afraid of dogs, please don't apply!) Dogs love going for walks too, if you want to take them!

A female Helper is preferable, but depending on experience and skills, we are open to a male Helper. Prior elderly care, or nursing experience is a MAJOR plus! References would be a plus, but lack of them WILL NOT automatically disqualify anyone. BEING ABLE TO be an inventive COOK IS CRITICAL!