We’ve all heard the expression “it takes a village to raise a child.” Why do these simple words resonate with something deep inside us? Perhaps it brings back memories of a time, not so long ago, when we grew up in a community of neighbors and friends and felt the impact they had on our lives. Or perhaps we’ve only heard stories of how it was before we became such a mobile society, with our family and friends spread across the country and even the globe.
Caring for anyone is best done in community. Navigating the world of aging can be confusing and frustrating, even frightening. Family members courageously take on the task of trying to walk with their elders through the maze of doctors, medications, therapists, institutions, insurance, Medicare law, elder law… the task is daunting, even when the elder lives in the same city. Often family members must do this from a distance of hundreds of miles, hiring caregivers, making appointments, listening to the frustration of their parent as they’ve returned from yet another confusing doctor’s visit. Overwhelmed by the maze of responsibility, family members can begin to feel alone and resentful.
We believe no one should be alone in this maze. It is often difficult for elders who have been independent and self-reliant to accept support, even though there are growing, diverse and valuable resources available in our community. At Windhorse Family & Elder Care, our well-trained, experienced staff are particularly skilled at working with the psychological implications of loss, which all elders face. By partnering with elders and their families, the Windhorse team becomes deeply attuned to the needs of the situations. We work with clients to maintain familiar environment and routine, tailoring support to each person’s needs and preferences. We believe the key to relaxation is healthy communication, ensuring an integrated and comprehensive approach to care among the community surrounding the elder. This gentle approach can enable elders, who often suffer from depression, grief, isolation, confusion, anxiety and other mental health challenges, to address the unfinished business of a lifetime. Most importantly, we listen and learn what they have to teach us about who they are and what they need, encouraging them to take their rightful place as elder in the center of the circle of care
— Jyoti Sharp, Owner/Director,
Windhorse Family and Elder Care, Inc.
Client Testimonial
“My wife had dementia and needed to be placed in a memory care community in Louisville.
The Windhorse Care partners cared for my wife with compassion, patience and understanding. I felt Christine was safe and engaged and the team brought a person centered approach and contemplative practice. They were a special group.
The team meetings were always about how best to provide for Christine. WEC worked closely with the care community staff to compliment the care from both groups.
I think the most surprising part of this experience was how engaged WEC was from intake, supervision, team leadership, companions to the caregiver support group.” – Harry Lindmark