This month I’m turning my column over to the caregivers of Family Resource Home Care. I hope you will enjoy, and be touched by their “insight,” as they consider the ways they contribute to our mission: to provide caregiving that is grounded in Commitment and Kindness. Here are a few of our caregivers, in their own words:
Sarah N.
"I always remember their birthdays and try to do something to make it special. My current client loves sushi so we went out for lunch and got her cake."
Julie L.
"A recent client with Alzheimer’s had a life long hobby of photography. He had boxes of photos in frames. We went through all the photos and he chose the ones he wanted to hang on his walls. I brought a hammer from home and he told me what wall he wanted the photos on. Once everything was done, he wanted everyone to see his “gallery.” His family thanked me and was very grateful."
Kim K.
"I make a point of asking my new clients how they did certain tasks. It can be something as simple as how they fold their towels or how they want food prepared. They appreciate being asked."
Carla H.
"My Italian client loves tomatoes. I planted tomatoes in her garden for her birthday."
Bakoto F.
"I always smile, even if I am having a bad day. I do small things to make my client’s life happier. One time I swept the deck and my client had dinner outdoors that night. Another time I cleaned the house before Christmas and his wife could not believe it. She called the office and got me a thank you card for making her Christmas the best."
Jamie J.
"I brush her hair for a long time, then wash and dry it. There’s not much hair there, but I put it in a French twist afterward. I also make sure to offer coffee or tea and some cookies when she has guests."
Kamay M.
"I helped to bathe a client’s husband who had not taken a bath for a long time. Doing this made his wife very happy. She felt like I was taking care of the whole family."
Alynna L.
"On some days I would stay longer at Dolly’s house to fix lunch for her and spend a little extra time with her. It let her know that I cared about her."
Natalie B.
"I ask my client to tell me his favorite stories. This helps him to remember the good times."
Doris J.
"My client wants her independence, but she needs help. With her memory loss, she doesn’t remember what she does. I will do things for her, like lay out her clothes, and when she sees it done, she believes she did it. When she brags that she can do all of this by herself, I just smile and agree and praise her. It lifts her spirit."
Caregiver Profile: Karen Sleugh
Karen Sleugh was introduced to the idea of home care when she was in high school. Growing up in Jamaica where it is common for elderly family members to move in with their grown children, Karen helped care for her mother’s father who had come to live with them. Through this experience, she discovered that she truly enjoyed working with the senior population. “I love doing this kind of work because at the end of the day it makes me feel good to help,” she says.
In 1994 Karen moved to the U.S. where she did private duty home care in Atlanta, got married and earned her CNA license. In 2007, when her husband’s work transferred him to Seattle, she knew what kind of job she would look for. And FRHC was where she found it. “When I called Family Resource, the first person I spoke to was Trish, and she was so sweet. I fell in love with the company right then.” says Karen.
Over the last four years, Karen has worked with eight individuals and has been with her present client since 2007. “My current client is a very sweet lady,” says Karen. “She needs help but she wants to be independent. My job is to help her do whatever it is she wants to do; so when she wants to help me with cleaning or cooking, I just move over and let her. Being a caregiver requires a lot of patience,” Karen continues, “so it must be something you really, really love to do.”
When asked, Karen was full of praise for FRHC. “They never push you to do something you are not comfortable with. They are supportive, accommodating, and respectful.” Coincidently, those three words, “supportive, accommodating and respectful” are exactly the way we at FRHC, and her clients, would describe Karen.
