Our family first met Janet Bullard as a palliative care nurse when Dad was very ill. Her sensitivity and caring as we walked that path together was paramount. I have since moved overseas and have kept in touch with Janet. When I discovered her involvement with Proactive Health Advisors and the services provided, it seemed like the next logical step for our family to take as Mom ages.
With Janet’s loving guidance, we were able to identify Mom’s desires and compile the necessary plans and documentation to make the rest of her life as comfortable and pleasant as possible. No second guessing. We will all be able to respond to future circumstances with confidence.
Knowing that the documentation and contingency plans are in place as Mom ages is such a relief. The decisions that have been made as a family now, leave each of us with a comfort that the stages and requirements of Mom’s care are honouring of her wishes. Proactive Health Advisors provided the tools and guidance to help make this preparation as comprehensive and as easy as possible. Each and every one of us can benefit from taking advantage of this type of future planning. Addressing some of the pertinent issues that appear simple, is not always easy. Involving a professional helps to keep everyone on task and with an open heart. I strongly encourage you to consider Proactive Health Advisors to be your guide for your planning.
Sincerely
Kim Washington
Which one of us has not thought “I’ve got to sit down sometime & put in writing those important details regarding my ‘living will’ my ‘end-of-life’ wishes, only to see it put on the back burner but once again? The great thing about Janet is that she misses nothing, not one detail -details that I never even thought of. Now I have it in writing. My family is aware exactly of how to deal with any crisis the way I wish to have it dealt with, without the pressure of despair & mourning. Having recently taken steps to assist my father pass away ‘on his terms, I know this is the greatest gift that I can give my family.
When it was first suggested that I meet with Janet I quietly thought “Oh boy, here’s another one of those slick talkers who’s going to paint a frightening picture of death & then sell me some insurance”! I can’t tell you how wrong I was. Perhaps the greatest contribution that Janet brings is that of real life experience as a former nurse & palliative-caregiver. Janet’s knowledge of medicine, both traditional & alternative, linked with her caring understanding of ‘dying with dignity’ makes her gifts so valuable. I will absolutely recommend that my family & friends engage her services.
Brad Kilb, Professor of Kinesiology
University of Calgary
Our family had the good fortune of wonderful palliative care provided to my Dad in his final days. We then discovered that the same degree of professionalism, compassion and kindness was available for planning purposes as Mom ages, all through Proactive Health Care Advisor, Janet Bullard.
Janet’s caring nature provides our family with guidance and options as we walk life’s path with all our elderly family members.
Our Proactive planning sessions helped us focus on important issues we needed to discuss and get in place. The guidance of a professional, who has seen many situations towards the end of life and after, brought those experiences to the table allowing us to benefit from them. The concept of team-work and connectedness empowered us to move ahead and ensure that our family is prepared to honour our loved ones wishes and have documents in place to support those choices.
The peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re prepared in the event of a crisis is invaluable. I would highly recommend Proactive Health Care Advisors to others. Begin the dialogue and be mentored by professionals whose experience with health care and crisis preparedness issues open many avenues for planning and supportive teambuilding for families.
Kindest regards and many thanks Janet,
Tracy A. Buckley
Dear Janet,
Below is only small statement of how you have helped our family over the past year. By overcoming obstacles no one really wants to consider lets alone endure. I hope you know how appreciative we are for what you have done for us.
During the preparation of our final wishes to the children, we were consistently feeling as though we were missing something. We felt as though we were missing a part of life and death. You know, somewhere in the middle? We didn’t understand what it was, we knew we needed something but what else?
With our blended family of 7 we felt defeated by uncertainties. Being in our early and late forties how does a person know what their state of health will be in 20-30-40 years? Where to start? Talking and asking questions is a good beginning and I was only so lucky to have had Janet on the receiving end of all my beginner type questions. The ladies locker room at the local YMCA is where it all began for our family.
I couldn’t wait to tell my husband Randy what I found out about that day at the YMCA. All those unanswered questions that we weren’t sure of were questions we needed to start with in the first place. The “living will” is a God send to us as a family. It has all the answers for our children if something went terribly wrong like a car accident, a stroke or anything that left us unable to make our own decisions.
As we move forward in life we can be assured that our children don’t have to make decisions about our survival. When you feel as though something needs to be taken care of aside from finances and wills then you meet Janet Bullard, you really have put all our unanswered questions to rest about our future and our children’s future.
Thank you,
Barb Walliser
“Mom and Dad were having problems. Mom had called us a few times to inform us, “we had to talk to him!”. Of course, when I spoke with Dad, he implied Mom was over reacting, or didn’t have the facts straight.
Dad was not talking with anyone about what he was going through, and Mom was at her wits end. Mom was getting progressively more upset, and Dad was even more withdrawn. If we didn’t get Dad to face what was happening to them both, something catastrophic was going to happen.
Janet helped us to understand what Mom and Dad were feeling and how my wife Dianne and I could approach them without setting off all the normal “family discussions”. We worked together to ease the tension in the conversation and when appropriate, Janet took the lead. Mom and Dad were more comfortable talking about their personal issues and fears with a seasoned professional than they were with “their kids”. Together, Dianne and I learned a great deal about what Mom and Dad did and did not want in their remaining years. It may not be our choice, but it is their wish, and we can understand and support that. (Talking with Janet for less than an hour, Dad started to open up about his challenges and we could begin to work together on how to help him. )
The work we did with Mom and Dad prepared us to develop our own plans, and yet it did not necessarily make it easier. These can be difficult conversations. Janet has a way of drawing out your concerns and fears, setting you at ease and providing perspective. However, Janet did make us think about things we quite possibly have never considered before!
Going through the process of developing a health plan has allowed Dianne and I to document what is important to each of us, and we have it in black and white. Not having siblings or a large extended family, I have felt somewhat isolated when thinking about our old age. Should something happen to either of us, the other would be very alone. Having the appropriate documents in place gives me some comfort that we will, should need arise, be able to cope with the questions posed us.”
Janet, thank you for all your help this past year and much success in your new business. The term “satisfied customers” doesn’t really do justice to the impact you have had on our little family. Mom and Dad would have been in a very different place mentally and physically had we not gone through the process we did, when we did and of course…my wife and I would be going through it all with them! I truly believed you set us on a better course and we’ve avoided a lot of heart ache.
Thank you!
Ted Comben
Janet Bullard of Proactive Health Advisors came into our lives in the fall of 2009.
My Mother was in hospital facing some very serious health problems that were compounded by her advanced age. We were in a quandary as to how to navigate the health system in Calgary and what kind of care she would need if and when she was released from care. Prior to falling ill, my Mother was independent and lived on her own at the age of 88.
These health issues she faced made it clear to us that returning to that environment was not going to be an option and again, we felt very lost as to where to look to find a place that would provide the type of care and attention she might require. Janet was like the light at the end of the tunnel when she came into our lives. She provided us, as a family, with a more clear understanding of exactly what was happening with my Mother’s health.
Janet came up with concise questions for me to ask the physicians and nurses who were caring for my Mother and I feel that it greatly helped to enhance the quality of care that she received. I would like to say that this had a happy ending, however, the health issues that Mom faced were not to be overcome, thus changing our direction and focus. We were no longer faced with making decisions for the future, but with making decisions that would help Mom to maintain her dignity and obtain the quality of care that she deserved.
As I kept in close contact with Janet, we decided that it was time for a joint meeting with my Mother while she was still lucid and capable of making decisions that would affect her treatment. Janet treated my Mother with the upmost respect and attention and walked her through choices that she was entitled to make. Janet completely empowered my Mother to take control and to make decisions concerning the medical interventions that were taking place. Janet continued to help Mom to communicate her wishes to the medical staff.
Janet was a tremendous support to me individually and for my entire family. She made sure that I was taking care of myself through a very difficult time and I cannot find the words to truly reflect how important that has been to me through this journey. I highly recommend Janet and Proactive Health Advisors for anyone who is personally or through another family member trying to sort their way through the health system and needs someone to help guide them through it.
Laurie Tambosso Calgary, Alberta
“In a time of uncertainty and transition, particularly difficult for my mum, Janet offered resources, wisdom and empathy. She took the time to understand mum’s specific needs and the needs of our family in caring for her. With humour, kindness and a proactive, realistic approach, Janet presented well-researched options and helped us find a comfortable solution. I appreciate the valuable learning I’ve received from Janet. I’m delighted to say that our mother’s quality of life has improved; she has a twinkle in her eye again and she looks forward to each day.”
Martha Willson Calgary, Alberta
Are you Living with Chronic pain? If so, you will understand where I’m coming from. I have lived with chronic pain for 40 years (half of my life). It was gratifying to meet a Health Care Advisor who understands as Janet’s background in pain management has done just that for me. I had received the appropriate medications from the Chronic Pain Center and am now able to manage my pain. I discussed my concerns and priorities in planning for my future care should I become incapacitated with my daughter and Janet. I am blessed with a wonderful family and also have many friends in my life.
So, in spite of chronic pain, one can live a happy productive life.
Doris Sloan
