Home Care Conversation
(for seniors & families)
Home Care Insight
(for those working with seniors & families)
Follow us on Facebook & Twitter
“I believe as a whole, I could wholeheartedly say that everyone in our office goes above and beyond the norm. Phones are answered warmly and expeditiously; callers get the person and answers they need; personnel are genuine, care deeply about the services we provide as well as about the work they perform. All employees are treated like family. There is a concern and compassion for each others' lives outside of the work environment and the atmosphere is warm and relaxed. Our caregivers are appreciated, respected and well rewarded, not only for the work they do, but also for their flexibility and willingness to go above and beyond.”
Administrative Assistant
Mary Thompson, Administrative Assistant
What I Do
I try to treat all those I have contact with courteously, expeditiously, and with respect and compassion. Many of our calls are from potential clients and their family members who not only are dealing with stressful situations, but also are faced with making decisions in coming to terms with their own limitations and inabilities and ambivalent about needing outside help. Our staffing personnel disseminate the information about the services we provide, try to match a client’s personality and needs with a caregiver’s personality and abilities, and deal with the very difficult challenge of scheduling the constantly changing needs of clients and caregivers. Our caregivers in turn deal with a wide range of clients with physical and mental issues, as well those facing the end of life, many times developing strong emotional ties. Thus, all of our roles, directly and indirectly, affect not only one another, but a very fragile and rapidly growing population as well.
Why Home Care
I began caregiving when I assumed the role of housekeeper, cook, shopper, and errand runner as well as helping to bathe my 85-year-old mother. Although ultimately Mom was moved to an Adult Home and my caretaking roles diminished, I again assumed a role as caregiver when I began taking care of my sister after she was diagnosed with cancer. At first, I would simply drive and accompany my sister to her chemo and radiation treatments. But toward the end, I actively took on a day a week, in a rotation with other family members, taking care of my sister’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs as they began to rapidly increase. Although I lost both my mother and sister, I will never regret being part of the process, and, more importantly, the intimacy that grew between us during a very difficult time.
In my spare time I like to make greeting cards and bake dog biscuits to give away to my friends. I am also actively involved in the Compassionate Care group at our church which reaches out to the chronically ill and those grieving the loss of an important person in their life through literature, care baskets and greeting cards. We have lost so many parishioners in the last year and so many others are caring for chronically or terminally ill family members. To me it is critical for these people to know that others care, are trying to help in some way and are getting the emotional/spiritual help they need. No one should be alone.
My Favorite Client Story
In my time here, two things stand out. First, about our caregivers: When they first come into the office after their client dies, their tears are very real and can only indicate the deep bonds and compassion that develop between our caregivers and their clients, something I find truly touching.
The other thing I would probably mention is a particular 90-year-old woman with dementia who frequently comes into the office with her caregivers. Though vulnerable and frail, she is always so happy and full of life and her caregivers are always so gentle and good to her. While most of the time this woman’s responses to our questions are silent stares, laughing, or inaudible statements, the few times she has given appropriate responses to our questions are priceless and briefly allow us a glimpse of the woman beneath/beyond the dementia.
