The caring nature of the people of Newfoundland was beautifully portrayed in the hit Broadway musical, “Come From Away” which tells the true story of locals housing and feeding stranded airline passengers following the 9/11 attacks. The truth is, Newfoundlanders have always enjoyed a reputation for being friendly, warm, and welcoming. While the people of Gander earned a place in the world spotlight, there’s a group of amazing women from the Port Aux Basques/Stephenville area who also shine.
The “Newfoundland Ladies” were wives, mothers, and family providers who, starting in the early 20th century, became in-home caregivers to the sick and dying in Nova Scotia. They would travel from their homes to stay full-time with sick and elderly patients, return to Newfoundland for a few weeks, and then head back to continue the in-home care.
Modern Newfoundland Ladies
Today, there are fewer Newfoundland Ladies making the trip, but many people still use the term to describe the dedicated in-home caregivers who care for their loved ones. Professional live-in caregivers are committed to providing exceptional personal care and assistance to the elderly and other people who suffer from chronic illnesses and conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Parkwood Home Care “Newfoundland Ladies” who provide 24-hour care to our clients are exceptionally kind companions who work hard to make every day more enjoyable for those they care for.
The Benefits of Newfoundland Ladies Home Care
Given that 85 percent of Canadians say they want to age in place, in-home care is often considered the desirable option for those who need chronic, palliative, or rehabilitative care. People say they feel more secure in familiar surroundings and like the sense of independence they get from being in their own home.
For some, managing on their own can become difficult. Sometimes one spouse is responsible for the 24-hour care of the other. Others live alone and depend on family and friends to help them when they’re able. To help people live well at home, Newfoundland Ladies home care providers prepare meals, perform light housekeeping, help with exercise, shopping, and pet care, and offer much needed companionship.
In-home care comes with a broad range of benefits for clients and their families:
- Autonomy and self-sufficiency are encouraged and facilitated.
- Safety practices are integrated into client care.
- Caregivers are respectful of a client’s social, physical, and cultural needs.
Clients also receive acknowledgement of their unique strengths and are urged to become proactive in their own care.
In-Home Care in Nova Scotia
In-home care has been associated with reduced hospitalizations, decreased mortality, lower health care costs, and an improved quality of life. Parkwood In Home Care offers several programs:
- Hourly care is ideal for post-surgery in-home care. We also offer full and live-in care programs for post-surgical patients who require more comprehensive services.
- Full day care through our Lite Companionship Programs includes personal care services like bathing, grooming, and dressing as well as wake-up or tuck-in services and light housekeeping and meal prep. Our Peace of Mind Package is fully customizable and based on a client’s needs.
- Dementia care on an hourly or daily basis is personalized to a client’s specific needs.
- Respite care offers a client’s regular caregivers some much needed free time to restore their own well-being.
We also have a one-on-one support Veterans care program that’s approved by Veterans Affairs Canada.
Learn More
It’s a question many people and families face. How can we know if in-home care is needed or the right choice? In-home care allows the elderly and people living with chronic conditions to continue living as active and independent a life as possible. That they get to do it in their own homes makes it even more valuable.
To learn more about all the in-home services Parkwood Home Care provides, reach out to us today.