When Susan Allen first saw the royal blue car with 'Senior Helpers' emblazoned across the hood, she had one clear thought: “That’s exactly what I need… help.”
She didn’t need personal care or medical support, but help with day-to-day tasks that were becoming harder to manage on her own.
“I contacted them and met with Colin Little (owner of Senior Helpers), who came out to our apartment and talked to us. Later, we met with the client services supervisor, Lisa. I was struck by how caring they both were.”
What stood out most, Susan says, was how much more Senior Helpers offered compared to similar in-home care providers in the Okanagan Valley.
“The unique thing about Senior Helpers is they do more than just provide personal care services such as support showering. They do all that, plus much more.”
From transporting clients to and from activities and appointments to shopping, Susan was pleasantly surprised by the comprehensive support that Colin and the rest of the team provided.
“Colin and the team are able to help with just about anything,” Susan adds. “They even helped another client who needed a toilet raise - they shopped around, consulted and even dropped it off for them. They took back my Red Cross equipment after my knee operation. They’ll even help with small tasks, such as moving a box and reorganizing.”
Even seasonal tasks are covered, Susan notes.
“They’ll put up your Christmas tree and help with your Christmas cards.”
In addition to their dedication to supporting clients in whatever tasks they need assistance with, Colin and the team are committed to ongoing education to better serve their community.
“Colin and the rest of the team come to every Parkinson’s support meeting. They support Parkinson’s education and take the time to learn more about it. Senior Helpers have modules that their staff learn to help them understand the unique needs of clients with Parkinson’s, dementia and ALS. They are more knowledgeable than any company in this business that I’ve dealt with previously.”
One experience in particular left a lasting impression. After knee surgery, Susan was told she couldn’t be discharged without someone to help her at home.
“I had no one,” she recalls. “I immediately thought of Senior Helpers. Tearfully, I called them and Colin answered immediately. I explained my problem and he said, ‘We’ll get back to you.’ That night, Lisa came to the hospital, picked me up and took me home. She stayed with me all night.
“She missed saying goodbye to her son, who was leaving for a football tryout. I really appreciate the sacrifice that Lisa made. Whenever I think of getting help, I now immediately think of Senior Helpers. No one else. I feel like a valued family member and that I can turn to them as people I can trust and rely on.”
To learn more about the services Senior Helpers offer in Kelowna and surrounding communities, or to schedule a free in-home consultation, visit seniorhelpers.ca/bc/kelowna or call 236-766-1465.