Emma M. is from Naperville, IL. We’ll be posting a picture of her next week. Emma provided the following biography: “I currently work as a caregiver for Home Instead Senior Care in Illinois. I’m a mother of five, and two step-children, and also have three granddaughters. My youngest daughter and middle granddaughter are on the autism spectrum. I have a great husband who is a sergeant in the Army Reserves and have two dogs – all of whom keep me on my toes! My grandmother has dementia and Parkinson’s. It’s because of these people I love so much that I am the caregiver that I am.”
To enter this year’s 20th Annual Caregiver Story contest, click here!
What tips do you have for care at home?
Hi! Finding out I didn’t have to be a professional and or need a certificate or degree compelled me to apply instantly! Helping others is so much of who I am, it wouldn’t have made sense not to apply and be a part of someone’s life that needs care with patience and passion.
Humbly I’d like to share my advice to what might work for someone interested in being a caregiver.
I want to treat my clients how I would treat my elderly family member. Must remember that. They too have loved ones who are putting their whole trust in us.
I always have a smile and respond with a smile, even in those most challenging moments that might come about.
Be humble. Run to their every need. Even the slightest gesture can mean the world to them.
Some might feel they bother you, remind them that you are there for them. That they are your priority.
Always let them know what you are doing and where you’ll be, like if you’re gonna clean the bathroom, reassuring them you’re still there nearby.
If you are cleaning or changing, bathing, etc., let them know what you are going to do next, like “Mr. Smith, I’m going to put lotion on your back now and my hands might be a little cold”, they’ll appreciate that.
Be respectful and proper.
If they have a special interest, talk about it, they love the attention.
Every now and then, you’ll have a lousy day but remaining calm and have a patient loving voice will make a big difference.
It really all comes down to is loving what you do. Caring from the bottom of your heart for that client. We don’t know where they’ve been and what they’ve been through. So we must be compassionate and understanding, that’s the least we can do.
Thank you for your time.
Click here to head to the contest home page and read more advice.
Winners were selected by a panel of independent judges: Maggie Bermudez, the Manager of Professional Training and Healthcare Services at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles; Alethea Mshar, a blogger, mom of two children with Down syndrome and a frequent contributor to Shield HealthCare’s GROW community; and Joy Hooper, a Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse and the lead instructor of the Wound Care Education Institute’s ostomy courses. Click here to learn more.
