SPECIALIZING IN CAREFREE TRAVEL & SUPPORTING SENIORS TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN HOMES
Is there a special place you've always longed to return to, or another country you've wished to explore?
Have you always had a hankering to go to the Azores or Arizona or does traveling to Zamora or Zacatepec appeal more?
The proper supports may enable you to safely continue to revisit the places you love and explore the countries you've always wanted to see. I offer a specialized travel escort service for people who would rather not travel alone and/or for the mobility or visually impaired. While some situations are more challenging than others I pledge to do my best to make your trip as enjoyable as possible.
I'm passionate about helping people to be where they want to be, doing whatever they want to be doing whether it's continuing to live at home or go on holiday. If you require some assitance to continue to remain living in your own home, I'd be happy to help. If you need to downsize let me assist you with the details.
As a devotee of world exploration, I particularly enjoy helping seniors to travel safely. You can be secure in the knowledge that the details are being attended to by an experienced, friendly, patient multi-tasker and problem solver. (Please scroll down to read what previous clients have said about me in the recommendations section).
YOU SET THE PACE…
We could explore Canada by car, boat (sail, motor or cruise), bus, train or RV. I could make arrangements for planes, limos, ships, local guides and drivers, wheelchairs, trains, taxis or tuk tuks in foreign environs.
What are your travel dreams? Asia or Africa, anyone? South America or Sardinia?
Whether you would like to travel locally or internationally, for a day or two or for months at a time, all of your interests and needs will be considered.
Advocate & Assistant
Helping Seniors be wherever you want to be: at home or on holiday
EXPERIENCED PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO SENIORS
Clients benefit from my 30+ years of experience helping senior relatives, friends and clients to safely:
* continue living at home
* travel to familiar and favourite places
* explore new surroundings
On behalf of seniors I have:
* advocated with doctors, dentists and nurses
* checked references, hired and scheduled support staff: attendants, nurses, cleaners, carpenters
(for the building of ramps and installation of bath and bed bars) etc.
Previous vacations with elderly people have taken us from:
* Hawaii to Haida Guaii
* Martinique to Mexico
* Portugal to Puerto Rico
RELEVANT EXPERIENCES
Independent travels have included much of Canada, the USA, Central America, Europe, the Caribbean, the British Isles and New Zealand.
Educational adventures include a BA in History, studies in Conflict Resolution, French and Spanish immersion, Yoga, Dance, Scuba diving, Standard and Emergency First Aid and Massage Therapy, including memory, mobility and vision improvement exercises. (At age 42 I found myself frequently reaching for reading glasses. At 52 I rarely ever have to. If you'd like to learn how to improve your eyesight, just ask!) If you'd like a massage I've studied and practice Shiatsu, Swedish, Reflexology, Neo-Reichian, Therapeutic Touch... and now do a combination of all of them that also includes some Traeger and Lymphatic drainage movements. I'm also familiar with EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and TAT (Tapas Acupressure Technique).
During my experiences caring for ailing relatives, friends and clients I have been well trained by a variety of health care professionals: Doctors (Orthomolecular and Allopathic Physicians), Dentists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Naturopaths, Herbalists and Audiologists.
PASSION
I enthusiastically do my very best to ensure that the quality of life for others continues to improve with age.
Could you benefit from some personal assistance to help your nomadic dreams come true? If so, let us discuss how I might help you to realize your ideal vacation.
Trip logistics and costs will be determined by your own needs, wants and resources (taking into account any physical realities or financial criteria). Individuals, couples and small groups of friends will all be considered.
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION OPTIONS
While I live in Comox, British Columbia, Canada, where you live doesn't matter.
We can consult over the phone and I can travel to meet you wherever your starting point may be.
Vehicles I own include a Toyota Tercel and a 15 foot welded aluminum boat with a 40 horse Honda. In addition I have driven moving vans and small RVs.
If you'd like to explore Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands, Georgia Strait or Desolation Sound, Comox Lake or Great Central Lake, I can happily oblige.
If you'd like to email your friends or dictate your memoirs while we travel I have a laptop we can bring.
My Sony Cybershot digital camera is available to take and send pictures to your friends and relatives back home.
"Alice's level of commitment was refreshing. She was consistently friendly, enthusiastic and her insightful problem solving skills were a real asset. I relied on Alice's support and her creative ideas. She seemed to enjoy facing challenges head on and I really appreciated her cooperative support of the other team members."
Linda Gardener
Coordinator and Founder,
Cortes Island Hospice, BC, lg3ca@yahoo.ca
"I witnessed Alice taking loving, patient and tender care of her father during his last years. Besides providing direct care herself she also hired, trained and managed staff in a respectful and decisive manner. I know that her experience as a massage therapist comes to good avail as she has a well developed kinesthetic sensitivity. She’s a cheerful, spirited person who I think would help bring a sense of aliveness in any work supporting others".
Evelyn Wolff, MD. Certified General Practitioner in Psychotherapy, Huntsville, Ontario 705-789-9512, wellwolff@sympatico.ca
"I have known Alice Grange for almost 22 years and have had the benefit of seeing in action her high level of interpersonal and counseling skills. Alice is a no-nonsense person who is quick to cut through any roadblocks to get things done. She is strongly motivated, conscientious and highly ethical. I would certainly recommend her as a asset to any organization.
Bruce M. Small, P. Eng. Executive Director, Technology and Health Foundation. Georgetown, Ontario,
905-702-8615, bruce@envirodesic.com
"Alice is admirably honest and fair. She works well in an independent self-directed environment"
Delores Broten, (formerly Executive Director of Reach for Unbleached!), editor: Watershed Sentinel, Comox BC
250-339-6117, editor@watershedsentinel.ca
"I employed Alice Grange as a caregiver for my mother in the fall of 2007. Alice quickly fitted into the household and did an excellent job, proving herself to be an adaptable and resourceful person as well as a cheerful, hardworking and companionable caregiver. Alice made a real effort to make the days more interesting and pleasant for my mother. I am sure that whatever the situation she was in, Alice would cope and would make life better for those around her.
Barbara de Burgh, Prevost Island, BC
250-213-1594, islandofsheep@yahoo.ca
"Alice was of great assistance to me after my mother had a series of small strokes that left her confused and unable to cope well with a variety of aspects of daily living.
Alice was invaluable in a number of ways ranging from helping my mother move from Mill Bay to Victoria, checking to see if bills had been paid or that she was eating well.
On reflection, Alice's involvement at this time in my mother's life was a real gift. I always knew that she could be relied on in an emergency. This took some of the immediate stress off me."
Miriam Wideman
Health Promotion Consultant,
Department of Health & Social Sciences,
Yellowknife, NWT wideoutnt@hotmail.com
"I am totally blind. I have always found Alice to be kind and understanding and wise to the needs of the handicapped. She has gone far beyond the call of duty, making my life happier. I would readily recommend her to anyone requiring assistance."
Ralph Paulson
Sunnybrook Long Term and Veterans Care Resident, Toronto, ON
Check out this site for everything everyone needs for travel.
Located in Courtenay, in the Comox Valley of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
www.packables.net
