When Kim Sanchez meets a prospective client for the first time, she understands the concerns they may have about welcoming a caregiver into their home. At the same time, she also knows the stress that caring for a loved one can place on family members.
Before Kim became owner of Comfort Keepers in Federal Way, she was a new mom whose grandfather was caring for her grandmother, who had dementia.
When her grandfather suffered a massive stroke, extended family juggled work and home responsibilities to step in.
“We all took shifts to help, but it put our whole family into chaos as we tried to care for them while also honoring their wish to stay in their own home,” Kim says.
That experience was top of mind a few years later, in 2002 when Kim’s father learned about Comfort Keepers. He immediately thought, “what a great service – that would have really helped our family.”
From companionship to more specialized care, the Comfort Keepers’ team provides personalized support to help seniors live independently while maintaining their quality of life. For some, it’s a regular visit to prepare nourishing meals, take a walk or help with daily tasks, while others need additional support, including respite, hospice or 24 hour care.
Beyond care, Kim and her team also share their experiences with Federal Way families struggling with similar challenges.
“So much of what we do is education,” Kim says. “When we first started 23 years ago, home care was new. Today, people are much more aware and understand more about how we can help seniors live independently in their own homes.”
In the community, Kim shares her experience and knowledge through various workshops and presentations.
“I’ll be at an event and people will have heard us do a presentation and will ask how we can help their family. We’ve become so experienced with it that it’s become a part of us.”
Key to Kim’s approach is their focus on individualized, participatory care. “When we meet our clients and set up our care plan, it’s not just about checking boxes,” she says. “We want to get to know the entire person, not just the tasks they need us to do.”
That thoughtful approach is evident in her team’s specialized caregiving as well, including care for hospice clients and those living with dementia.
Ongoing and specialized training brings added comfort and confidence for both clients and their families, she says, noting the impact caregiving can have on loved ones. “It’s so important for them to be able to access that respite care, and have the time to also care for themselves.”
Learn more about Comfort Keepers Federal Way here or call 253-447-5397.
READ MORE: Building relationships, one home care visit at a time
