Wish you could clone yourself?
Comox Valley service offers next best thing

Comox Valley Record, April 23, 2010

Ever wish you had a clone? Imagine always having a trustworthy sidekick to do all the things you’re unable to get to each day – like washing the dishes, shopping for groceries or walking the dog.

Patricia Edgar is not a scientist, but she’s offering Comox Valley residents the next best thing to human cloning. Her new business, Caring For You Today, promises to take care of all the tasks you wish you could hand off, with the same level of care that you’d expect from your own flesh and blood.

“These days, so many people are pressed for time, juggling multiple roles and facing complex challenges,” says Edgar. “I’ve found that a lot of young parents appreciate having some extra help, as well as older individuals who don’t have the energy they once had.

“I find it very rewarding helping seniors prolong their independence, while at the same time providing peace of mind for both them and their families,” she adds. “One of the things I really enjoy is helping them host tea parties for their friends, because it’s that social fabric that keeps us all young and vibrant.”

While there are many service providers that do specific chores, such as grass cutting, house cleaning and home repairs, Caring For You Today is the first company in the Comox Valley to provide what Edgar calls “complete household management” – personalized, caring support wherever it’s needed.

Edgar, who has first aid and emergency defibrillator training, is also able to help her older clients navigate what she calls “the medical maze,” providing both personal support and advocacy. And if there’s something she can’t do herself, she says, she’ll find someone who can.

“I chose my business name to reflect exactly what I do,” she says. “My tag line is ‘Just Like Family,’ because that’s how many of my clients describe me.”

Edgar credits her customer service and organizational skills to a 30-year career as a businesswoman. But her warmth and empathy, which she says is the true essence of Caring For You Today, come straight from the heart.

“I took an aptitude test at one point and the results were very emphatic,” she explains. “It was all about helping, helping, helping. The first job they suggested for me was a nursing home administrator, followed by a counsellor and then a long list of management positions!”

Edgar invites anyone who’s curious about what life would be like with an extra set of hands – cloned or not – to contact her for a free half hour consultation. She can be reached at 250-941-1107 or at .