About

Mission

To elevate, validate, and BOOST caregivers through tools, shared knowledge and community. To use our collective resources and compassion to help each other better serve those we care for.

The Path

The Seeds: In 2008, I managed a residential home in Massachusetts. The people I served were nonverbal men with various physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges. I grew to love the men and the staff who respectfully cared for them. At first I was near paralyzed considering the responsibility of being their voices and their advocate, especially in the arena of health. As there were many hands involved with their care, there was a system of tracking meds, and all things healthcare (clunky but useful), a method of communicating so we could all be on the same page. Important health information was being documented and available, as needed for staff to present to their providers. No matter who escorted a guy to a doctor appointment, the same information would be shared. A supervisor and myself, worked together to streamline the system over time. I enjoyed puzzling together useful documentation almost as much as I enjoyed my role as a care professional.

The Roots: By 2012, my focus shifted to caring for loved ones who were advancing in age and complicated disease progressions. As I began accompanying them to healthcare appointments, it jarred me how very little communication was being shared.

In response to my concerns about the lack of critical health information being shared, like not reporting a fall, or high blood pressures noted in the middle of a shopping lists, feeling dizzy, lethargic, or confused, my loved ones insisted:

“If there is something really wrong they will know. They are the doctors. It’s their job to know.”

I questioned:

“How? How will they know?”

I began documenting and with permission sharing the systems I had begun to put in place with their very grateful healthcare teams. Medications were adjusted, some doses upped, some discontinued. Within a couple of encounters, Doctors, ER staff, visiting nurses, and EMTs began to greet us with,

“Do you have the notebook?”

It made a difference.

The Sappling: 2013-2017, I was encouraged by nurses, doctors, healthcare providers, and eventually business mentors to develop my Home Health Care system. Health Check Binder emerged. It was a comprehensive and customizable system to track health and medications, document, and store your Home home health records in one easy system, (akin to the system I used during my days as a residential manager, only for anyone). My system was copyright protected, and had a patent pending. The system was being presented to major pharmacies, and various other markets. However, we struggled with a point of market entry.

Prune and bloom: 2018-2024, I set the project down and made some personal life changes. I moved to beautiful Maine. I worked in medical offices and eventually back to caregiving. All the while constantly knowing how much easier things would be if the patients and clients I encountered had access to my system. I even tried to advocate for a homecare company I was working with to use my system, (I was privately recreating bits and pieces of it with my appreciative clients). The company, however was uninterested, so again I set it down. In 2023, I began to work as a private caregiver and end of life doula. I am incorporating my system into my own work. It is appreciated. It is useful. It is needed. The system is beginning to bud like new leaves. Setting up systems for clients so all involved on the care team are on the same page is a passion of mine. It is a game changing system. A premier service.

I am not much of a sales person, but THIS I know is true… it works! I look forward to working with more clients and other caregivers using and customizing this system to the needs of each client so we can advocate, educate, and communicate better with the goal of best possible outcomes for those we serve.

A bit of a BIO

My husband Sam and I have recently relocated to beautiful Cornish, ME with our 2 rescue dogs, Bowie (2.5y), our new addition, Frankie (about 1y), a resident cat named Molly, a guinea pig named Ollie (rescued off the mean streets of Maine), and 1 lovely goldfish. We are home!

When not plotting and planning how to improve outcomes for caregivers and those we serve, I am enjoying the natural beauty of Maine via outdoor adventures, birdwatching, and photography. On the most exceptional days we are joined by some or all four of our combined adult kids and their mates for the sharing of deep thoughts, enjoyment of eating, or partaking in arts and music (making and/or appreciation) together.

I am an avid NYT puzzler, a passion I share with my mate. This makes sense as I am driven to see and solve problems.

I have a diverse background in human services and a rich array of caregiving experience. And big ideas.

Warmest Regards,