Two nurses in the Cariboo are pairing up to offer home support services for people who want to stay at home.
Marnie Brenner and Wanda Charleyboy say home and community care is not often available on evenings and weekends and they want to close the gap.
“We want to provide options because people don’t have a lot of choices,” Charleyboy said.
The emphasis will also be to provide client-centred care to help reduce stress for people.
“We can accompany people to doctor appointments and shopping even,” Brenner said, noting they are keen on building relationships with clients.
Charleyboy grew up in the Chilcotin and became a nurse in 2004. She has worked at Alkali Lake since August 2005, worked in Nunavut and at Deni House.
She will continue working at Alkali Lake, along with the new venture, but sees their business plan as an opportunity to do things differently.
“We can tailor care for the clients to suit their needs and desires,” Charleyboy said, adding it’s a timely venture. “People are aging and the system is pressured. Out in the communities people want to be at home to pass.”
In her experience as a nurse Charleyboy has seen that often residential school experiences surface.
“Elders are often reluctant to go into any type of care because of that,” she said.
Brenner has been a nurse for 23 years and moved to Williams Lake from Saskatchewan with her family.
Last fall she resigned from a position with Interior Health (IH) to run for city council.
Now Brenner is the diabetes nurse educator for IH in 100 Mile House where she works two days a week.
Brenner also owns foot care business for seniors.
The two nurses said their Home to Stay services will also be offered in 100 Mile House and in the future they hope to contract care aids and homemakers as the business grows.
“We are local and we can build on that to provide opportunities for care, be advocates and liaisons for people and the medical system,” Brenner said.
People want choices and control, Charleyboy added.
“We hope to help people manage their lives with supports.”
Brenner agreed.
“Our vision is to make a difference in a positive way and allow people to live on their own terms,” she said.
Charleyboy can be reached at 250-303-0617 and Brenner at 250-267-2371. Both can be reached by e-mail at home2staynursing@gmail.com.
