We recently connected with Mitzie Watson and have shared our conversation below.
Mitzie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
In April of 2011 my mother was having some things happening in her life and health experiences that were of concern for her and us. After one hospitalization she came home to live with my husband and I. We soon learned that she had mild cognitive impairment as evidenced by forgetting to take her medications, knowing what they were for and if she had taken them or not. She also began getting lost when she would drive and she would forget to eat. We had her tested by a neuropsychologist and he was able to tell us her weak areas that could be safety issues and gave us a better idea of what care she would need from us and others. One year later she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. We took care of her in our home for the next 9 years and transitioned from being her care partner to her caregiver. Being a caregiver and over seeing all of her needs everyday was alot but as a nurse I felt we could do it and do it well. During this time we helped with her activities of daily living, and I over the next several years managed her money, helped to sell her home, worked with medicare and medicaid and also helped her to receive VA aid and attendant the last year of her life. Out of this experience my husband and I came to realize how many families struggle with this senior journey, seniors go to doctors appointments alone, have transportation issues, and for many it is so hard for them physically to get around. I had stopped working to care for my mother so after a few years, in 2018 we decided to join a franchise that serves seniors. Assisted Living Locators MidCities DFW. We educate families when we discuss their loved one, point them to resources to help them stay at home and independent for as long as they can, but when the time comes and they can no longer take care of themselves at home we help those families find the best match of a senior living environment to meet their loved ones needs. Our services are free to these families and many times after working with a family we feel we are an extension
of their family. Our seniors deserve the best and we try to help families to ensure their needs are met, they are safe and loved on. My experience with my mother and all that we learned in caring for her was laying the foundation for how we serve families today. We love what we do.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been an RN for over 30 years with most of my work experience being in maternal child health. While that area of nursing is very different from geriatric nursing, many times it can also be very much the same. I am a Certified Senior advisor and also have a Certification in dementia care. I am a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association where I serve as a community educator, Chair our local Walk to End Alzheimers, and hold and attend fundraising events to promote education, research and awareness of this terrible disease. I am a member of the National Placement and Referral Alliance, a group formed to help set best practices and the code of ethics for those serving seniors in placement, care and senior communities. I recently tested with the NPRA to receive a certification as a Certified Placement and Referral Specialist. My focus is to help families through this senior journey. This journey can be very overwhelming and my goal is to walk side by side with each family and remain a partner in the journey so that we can be sure their loved one is well cared for and living the best life that they can. Our team has been trained to perform Dementia Live experiences that we provide free of charge to family members of clients with dementia and to senior communities. This experience is such and eye opener for family members and caregivers as it helps them understand the impact dementia has on an individual. Once they walk through this event hopefully they will have more patience and compassion for the individuals that they care for. It is a great program.
Our business is a franchise and we are only one of more than 100 franchisees nationwide, under the corporate name of Assisted Living Locators. The business started as a result of Angela Olea, RN recognizing the need for better care and education for patients as they were sent home from a hospital experience. Many would end up right back in the hospital because they could not care for themselves once they were back at home. She would match the needs of the individual with the community that would best serve them and this helped to keep the patient safe, properly cared for and as a result a decrease in the number of individuals that were constantly in and out of the hospital.
We love helping families and providing calm for them as they struggle to get through all of the difficulties of providing the best life available for their loved one.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
For me, I have a desire to truly serve families and their loved ones. I want to serve all families that need our help even at times when it does not produce income for us. They need our help. First, I believe a compassionate heart for others is the first quality someone in our business must possess. Second, I believe that the ability to be personable and calm is a requirement because we are learning very personal things about their loved ones and the client must know that we understand and are professional in our response to what they are experiencing. We need to be a calming resource for them.
The third quality we must have is a willingness to advocate for the client and work to help them find the resources and type of community that best serves the unique needs of the client. We have relationships with these communities and can find the best fit for them.
I am an RN and we also have a Licensed Master Social Worker that serves our families. Our training, education and certifications allow us to serve clients with professionalism and compassionate hearts.
Do not be overcome with the big picture and plan you think you must attack in the beginning. Figure out how you want your business to run and what your goal is. For us, we want to be first of mind for families. We strive to serve them with excellence because in the future they may need us again or know someone that does. Personal referrals are golden for us, it means we were successful in serving them well and that is the best reward.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
A very short read, 212 The Extra Degree, describes that 212 degrees is only one degree away from hot water (211) to boiling water (212). Once the water is boiling and steam is produced, the steam provides power and energy. I keep this book cover image above my desk to remind me to do one more thing, one more call to connect with referral sources, or maybe attend one more event to meet people and connect with others in our field.
This book has many inspiring quotes and is thought provoking. I always want to go the extra mile for my business and our clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: assistedlivinglocators.com/midcitiesdfw
- Facebook: facebook.com/ALLMidCitiesDFW
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/allmidcitiesdfw/
- Yelp: biz.yelp.com/biz_info/tnLOQiIby1aiARm5DiIa9A
