From a speech at the WAHCA Conference 2015
(Washington State Home Care Association)

Introduction:
After a 35 year career in graphic design, Ginny Moore made the plunge
from sitting behind a desk to sitting in front of a human. “Care giving is wonderfully rewarding and consistently challenging. I consider it
to be a spiritual practice.” She is the author of Don’t Make Lemonade:
Leaning Into Life’s Difficult Transitions. Ginny has worked as a CNA
for the company With a Little Help for four years.

I was a hot shot in the graphic design world.
I’ve art directed national magazines.
I’ve designed and produced retail catalogs,
and opened up a national flagship store.
And today?
I walk beside a 93 year old using a gait belt. We hurry towards
the bathroom. We hope we make it in time! I pull her pants down,
then her Depends. She sits down. Whew!
Here I am… you know what… cleaning up her bottom!
Did I sign up for this?
Yes. Yes, I did.

I am a caregiver.
People may define me:
• as  a baby-sitter for old folks
• as a low-income wage earner
• as the help
But, People also define me this way:
“You were my dad’s angel. You came and I think he felt free to die.
He knew Mom would be okay because you would be there.”
“Have your ears been burning? My dad adores you and talks
about you all the time.”
“I was not happy about having someone come over. But, I like you.
This will be fine.”

As a caregiver, I do not work in “the cloud.”
I work face to face. And my job is:
…to connect with you, so that you will trust me.
…to problem-solve. If I give you one part of your meal and
one utensil at a time, you are not confused.
…to feel your discomfort and stop talking before you become agitated.
…to laugh with you… just before your shower—which you hate.
“Does the church know about what I want for my funeral?”
Yes. Are you concerned your shower might kill you? “It might!”
…to watch fun movies with you. Doesn’t matter that I’ve have seen
You’ve Got Mail over 20 times.
…to do personal care. I change your very soiled pants with diarrhea
running down your legs and unto your shoes and unto the floor.
I hear you whimpering. I gently say, “It’s okay.”

What does a caregiver want from an employer…you?
• We appreciate it when you hire the best caregivers out there,
so that we feel supported as a team and confident leaving our client.
• We are grateful for an organized and sharp staff who manages our schedules, keeps us informed, and treats us fairly.
• We would love a random call from you… just to check in. We often feel
isolated out in the field.
• We need your discretion to find us clients who respect us,
and won’t chew us up and spit us out.
• We appreciate your support when we feel overwhelmed or burned out.
We need tools, not just about doing a bed bath, but about the art of caring.
• We are grateful of your support by showing us our worth with the highest wage you can handle, and health insurance wouldn’t hurt either.
• We ask that you keep in mind…who is your biggest asset?

As a caregiver
I’ve grown and stretched and learned about:
• perseverance   • commitment  • mindfulness  and love.
I am blessed to have incredible moments of connection
with other human beings.

Hey, I guess I am a hot shot again… in the care-giving world.
• I watch a woman start to smile, laugh, and sing again. She is getting
the personal attention she has lacked for most of her married life. She is 91.
• I receive a big hug from a man with Parkinson’s who can barely whisper.
He’s so grateful that I’ve simply organized his kitchen pantry.
• I visit a woman with MS who is wheelchair bound. Her husband does all personal care. Why am I there? My biggest task is to simply wash her hair.
To listen. And be a friend.

And today?
I help a woman face the end of her life. I stay.
I turn her and touch her and hum a familiar song. I stay.
I remind her what a difference she has made in her
lifetime…and in mine. I stay.
I sit next to her and watch her quietly moving
to the other side. I stay.
Did I sign up for this?

Yes. Yes, I did.

Special note: Sarel Rowe (from With a Little Help)
received the award for Best Caregiver of 2015. Congrats, my friend!