Origins of Custom Care… Looking back at the incident that prompted Custom Care, it’s possible to see that even the most well-intentioned group of caregivers can create problems for the person in care…

RECIPE FOR DISASTER Take one 95-year-old woman with a fragile digestive system. Add four (4) caregivers who each want to make her happy. Factor in seven (7) weekly excursions to a local diner for French Fries…

T r a n s l a t i o n… Four well-meaning women take care of one vulnerable woman who doesn’t wish to seem ungrateful or hurt anyone’s feelings or perhaps forgot she had French Fries every day this week...

RESULT One very sick old woman. Four very upset caregivers. One very anxious family.

T r a n s l a t i o n… Everyone in the caregiving equation is unhappy.

ANALYSIS The woman’s needs should be known without her worrying about her memory or hurting a caregivers’ feelings. Caregivers need to know that French Fries should be a weekly, not daily, treat. They need a way to plan, coordinate, and work together.

T r a n s l a t i o n… Everyone on the caregiving team is in need of support, information, and a coordinated plan of action.

SOLUTION Guidelines for taking the old woman out for French Fries.

T r a n s l a t i o n… Guidelines to inform and customize care to the unique needs and goals of every situation.

ACTION Create a manual that helps caregivers to plan and coordinate their outings.

T r a n s l a t i o n… Create a way to identify the needs of the person in care so that caregivers can carry out and coordinate their work.

RESULT The woman in care and her caregivers go out for French Fries once a week. She never feels sick afterward. The evening prior, the day of, and the next morning, each caregiver contributes to the success of the outing by preparing meals that are easy to digest.

T r a n s l a t i o n… The person in care feels better. Her caregivers feel effective. They also feel part of a team and less isolated.

REALIZATION Find a way to document the needs and preferences of people in care so that caregivers can carry out and coordinate their work.

T r a n s l a t i o n… ”Reverse engineer” an existing caregiving manual into areas of care important in daily life.

THE BEGINNING OF CUSTOM CARE Create workbooks to enable others to develop personalized guides to caring for those they love.

Custom Elder Care ® Quality of Life. For Those in Care. For Those who Care.