It s All About Me! Kate Withington-Edwards Paul Oliver Living and Rehabilitation Center 224 Park Avenue, Frankfort, MI 49635 231-352-2397 kwithingtonedwa@mhc.net
All Things to All People Kate, Kathy, Katharine Anne Cecilia, Mum, Mom, Aunty Kate, Oy You!! Daughter, Sister, Cousin, Friend
Not just at funerals Finding out about our elders and care partners now, not when it s too late Making sure families feel involved Getting to the nitty gritty of who they are Having fun and making new connections
The Person We Were
Photo of me now Photo of me then
A Photo of You Now (page 1)
A Picture of You Then (page 2)
My Story
Family Fun Facts My Mum would go over the road to my Aunty Jean s to read a book, lose track of time and we would get home from school to an empty house and no supper ready. My Dad would ballroom dance with my Mum in the supermarkets to the piped music! When I was little I had a dolls house that my dad made and it had real light fittings and light bulbs
Page 4 This is my story I was born in Warrington, Lancashire the daughter of a Psychiatric Nurse and a Homemaker I have one brother and two sisters. I went to Wells Blue School and attended Yeovil Secondary College I also became a Registered Mental Nurse and worked in Psychiatric Hospitals for many years I was a publican, running Inns for many years after that, but returned to the caring profession when I became a Residential Care Worker for children with Educational and Behavioral Special Needs When I met my husband on line, I reeled him in, immigrated and married him over twelve years ago. I have one son from a previous marriage living in England although we text or talk almost every day, Will, who s 21. I was surprised to find out at 44 that I was pregnant and now I have 10 year old Thomas. Now I work at the Living Center where I began my American work life as a dietary aid, CNA and now I am their Activity Director.
Page 5 This is more space for your story because, as we grow older we have more of a story to tell. I hate rollercoasters but in my work with kids with learning difficulties and behavioral problems I had to go to Alton Towers. I love pickled eggs and cauliflower cheese. I cant sleep in bed socks I dance around my house to Earth, Wind and Fire when no one is home.
NEMISIS!
Page 6 & 7 These are simple, structured questions and tell us in a snap shot who I am right now I want someone to know that if I am dying I want to listen to Bill Engval, heavy metal and not gospel music or relaxation music. I want donuts, bacon, bread pudding and bananas and custard. Forget liver, turkey bologna and things that are good for me Don t make me go to bingo, even just to socialize stick me in front of reruns of Highlander in my room and don t turn it off at the juicy bits unless its causing me to be anxious or distressed. I also HATE reality TV.
At Home I like to sit outside on the deck and watch my flowers grow I love to quilt and knit I m really good at knitting I read voraciously like my Mum (but I never forget supper) I adore family get-togethers with all the kids and grown-ups especially during the holidays. I skype, FaceTime and enjoy using my iphone 6 plus immensely I can type, love Wordbrain and other iphone games, oh and I read my trashy novels on my phone.
Peace is Important My father always wished me peace of mind because he felt it was the most important gift I could receive. Peace to me is a sunset over a lake Peace to me is a really good book, trashy novels especially, read by someone with a deep sexy voice. Prayer my son and I say our prayers together every night. Can you imagine the peace that.would bring me?
PARTNERS I am married to my life partner but, in this day and age, it is important to remember that there are almost as many partners as there are flowers in the field! My husband wants to solve all my problems and fix everything so if I m sick he is hard to handle so be gentle with him and explain things clearly. He is not in the medical field at all and hasn t been to college.
Knock, Knock My son s knock, knock jokes make me laugh. I like kind humor where we laugh together, not mean humor where we laugh at others. I can listen to Bill Engval and Mark Lowry until the cows come home or I rupture my spleen, whichever comes first. I love great English comedians, Les Dawson, Tommy Cooper, and the Two Ronnies I enjoy Fawlty Towers, Keeping up Appearances and When Time Goes By.
Religion I m a Lutheran now but was raised a Catholic I d love visits from my pastor but not from a stranger I really love to receive communion I like rockin Christian music, like Toby Mac s Speak Life I love Christmas Carols and don t wish me happy holiday s wish me a merry Christmas
This is Me! Now you know me and can get my needs met more effectively. These statements may answer some burning questions about my behavior. This booklet helps take the guesswork out of the FUN I want to have during the last part of my earthly journey.