SENECA’S SEARCH

SENECA’S SEARCH FOR A WARM AND COZY PLACE TO CALL HOME

I’m a survivor, I’m not going to give up!

Hello readers, my name is Seneca! I may have had a rough start, but I’m a fighter and I’m so grateful for the wonderful people who saved my life. I was brought to Animal Care Sanctuary by a kind-hearted person who found me in a bad state. When they found me, I was in a cold barn, shivering and terrified. When I saw them reaching to grab me, I was scared as ever. The next thing I knew, I was in a box, then in a car, then there I was arriving at ACS’ door!

Once I arrived at ACS, the clinic took me in and evaluated my health. I was so cold, the thermometer couldn’t even get a read on my temperature. I was visibly sick and dehydrated, but the clinic got me back to health right away! According to the team, I am just around a year old now! I still look like a tiny kitten, and that may be because of my circumstances in the first year of my life.

I am a staff favorite here now, and I love to play whenever someone is willing to play with me. I am a little shy at first, but the second I warm up to you, I want your full attention! I want to thank all the kind people out there, just like the one who brought me into ACS, for continuing to care for animals day in and day out.

With love, Seneca

I live in Rochester, NY with my family. My passion has always been about the aging senior and their adult caregivers, helping navigate the healthcare and caregiving world as it changes.

Over the years, I have witnessed our Aging seniors and their loved ones work tirelessly to provide safe loving care and support in their living environments. However, as a caregiver, it becomes tricky balancing home, family, jobs, and caregiving responsibilities. In additionthere are so many unknowns–where to start, how to communicate, role changes/ reversals, resource needs, etc.

The list goes on and on and is unique to each individual family. Sometimes the aging loved one is close and in town, other times, they are out of town and need support on how, when, and where to start getting services. Sometimes, a caregiver just needs someone to advocate and cheer them on, as they work through the hurdles of being a caregiver.

That’s why I’m excited to share that I have started a new business where I am supporting adult caregivers and their senior loved ones during various stages and transitions through the senior years. This includes educating, 1:1 coaching, and planning for safety and relationship needs. I also provide guidance to finding and setting up community resources. Many seniors and their caregivers are unsure where to start, what questions to even ask and where to go for help.

What is Wise-Transitions and how was it started?

Wise Transitions started December

BY AMY SPRING I PHOTOS BY JULIE OLDFIELD

2022 because of the need for Adult Caregivers and Aging seniors in the community needing coaching, guidance, and education on where to start, where to find resources, and just how to navigate and transition into these new roles. The role of Caregiver can be wonderful and fulfilling yet so confusing. The aging parent or loved one is scared, frustrated and unsure what to expect and who to trust. Wise Transitions can support both the adult caregiver and aging loved ones during these various transitions and help come to a place of peace, love, and safety with respect and positivity.

What made you decide to open your own business, especially in Senior care?

I’ve always felt a calling to help and support aging seniors. Working with the elderly has been a passion of mine as long as I can remember. I saw a need in the community for support, coaching and education for both the aging seniors and adult caregivers to navigate various transitions as an aging senior and/or an adult caregiver.

What does it mean to be a Life coach for Seniors and Adult caregivers providing guidance, education and support?

For me, being a Life Coach for Seniors and Adult Caregivers is a humbling yet inspiring experience. People are aware they need support, are aging or are a caregiver, yet have anxiety, questions, and trepidation on where and how to start. Being a life coach for the Seniors and Adult Caregivers means I can provide tools, guidance, education and supports to make a positive difference during the transitions Seniors and Adult caregivers go through.

What do you feel is the real key to women empowering other women?

The real key to women empowering other women is a positive network. There is strength in numbers, and building a network of positivity, encouragement, and determination to help work through difficulties and celebrate successes. I also believe that COMMUNITY is another key. As a woman entrepreneur, sharing our gifts, passion, and skills to help and support our community only empowers others to do the same.

Did you always want to own your own business, or is this something that just evolved? What did you do prior to this career?

I have always wanted my own business, even as I studied physical therapy in college. As a practicing physical therapist, and then a healthcare leader, I recognized a need and missing component that wasn’t being offered or provided to our aging loved ones and the adult caregivers. The population is only growing with adults over 65+ and adults becoming caregivers. Now is the time for me to provide that coaching, education and guidance.

What do you feel are some of the services that you provide that are unique or set you about from other senior services businesses?

I believe Wise-Transitions is unique in that I can partner with the adult caregiver and/or aging adult and together create an individualized plan that will guide, support, and educate to their exact needs to transition to a place of safety, respect, and safety in their environment. There are many organizations that provide the actual services needed or living environments; Wise-Transitions help determine need, find the exact services required and feel supported and not alone.

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What are some of the pros and cons of having your own business, versus working for someone else, especially in the healthcare field?

Honestly, I have worked with many successful, passionate healthcare business leaders throughout the years. All of them have taught me many valuable lessons that I use today. It also has given me a large network of unique skills that I can connect my clients to. Having my own business allows me to use my own unique skills and passion to help aging seniors and adult caregivers navigate and find these resources, become successful as a caregiver and help aging adults feel safe, happy, and supported in their community and living environment.

If you could do one thing you have never done what would it be and why?

Actually, starting my coaching, consulting and educational business for aging seniors and adult caregivers is the one thing I would do. I am so excited that I have taken the opportunity because the reward of supporting these unique communities brings a smile to my face and a feeling of satisfaction of knowing I am contributing to a more loving and supportive world for aging adults and their caregivers.

What do you hope to accomplish with Wise-Transitions in the next year? Three years?

In the next 1-3 years I hope to reach as many adult caregivers as possible and their aging loved ones, to provide education guidance and coaching to feel supported, safe and loved.

What is one piece of advice you have been given that you have never forgotten?

Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life.

If you could pick one person that has stood out to you throughout your career, who would it be and why?

I had one dementia care patient, that was a SNF resident on a Dementia Care floor I was leading. This sweet, elderly lady taught me that love, purpose, and respect can still be instrumental during this stage. While she was confused, she loved music (Elvis Presley ) loved to dance and sing ( she unable to speak, but could “sing”, lol), and her smile would light up a room when she listened to music while helping to stir cupcake mix. Few things brought a smile to her face, but with a little determination we found music and baking to be a positive influence. Incorporating this into several activities throughout the day gave her some happiness, peace and I believe a sense of belonging. This was communicated to her family, which gave them peace, knowing their loved one was respected and loved. I think of her often, with a smile on my face.

What have been some things that have worked well for you in trying to grow your business, and some things that have not.

Focusing too much on details and numbers does not always work. Of course, in business this is valuable. But what works well for me is to always focus on my WHY and my PASSION. My passion is to help seniors and their caregivers find solutions to be safe and loved during various transitions as they age. My WHY is to ensure every day I make a positive impact on the aging adult and adult caregiver community.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to another woman looking to open their own business, especially withing the healthcare industry right now?

One piece of advice would be to find a few mentors to surround you with positive energy, advise and coaching. It takes a village.

What would you say greatest is your area of expertise and why?

I would say my greatest area of expertise is coaching and empowering the aging adult and adult caregiver how to navigate the healthcare world and the changes and where to find resources to various adult aging and healthcare needs.

Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women in the senior care industry? If so, who and what have you learned?

Actually, I have drawn inspiration from so many women, it would be hard to narrow it down. But to be completely honest, my inspiration truly comes from past patients and their loving caregivers. They have taught me that through love, active listening, empathy and respect, any problem can be worked through to have a positive and peaceful outcome for all.

Where will we see you next? What are your plans?

You will see Wise-Transitions next on Facebook, LinkedIn, and various Wellness and Health Fairs. I hope to speak at different events in person and virtually to positively help as many aging adults and caregivers as I can.

For more information visit wisetransitions.com