There are only four kinds of people in the world.
Those who have been caregivers,
Those who are currently caregivers,
Those who will be caregivers,
And those who will need caregivers.
Rosalyn Carter

A caregiver by definition is a person who cares for someone.
They may be a child or someone who is sick or disabled.

Care giving also includes a vulnerable population…the elderly.
Being a caregiver has become another passion of mine. I have never felt
this way about any past job, work or career (well, I did love my first job at Disneyland). Bottom line: if I won the lotto, I would work less hours, but continue working in this arena. Gotta love that feeling!

People ask me if I have had a passion about the elderly. No, not necessarily. It really is all about “people.” Human connection, interaction, touch, relating. Just being there for someone. Laughing, crying, or watching a client’s favorite DVD (Leap Year, for instance) for the 47th time. It’s also about making some kind of difference and feeling that your work is meaningful.

For over 40 years, I worked in the graphic design field. I have art directed national magazines, designed retail catalogs and store signage, and coordinated a flagship store grand opening.  But I sat behind a desk, looking into a monitor and occasionally attended a meeting. Today, I am in the line of “get real and personal.” A much better match for me.

It helps to have a few other talents, some of them a little unusual.
1. Organizational and thinking skills.
Can you walk into a new environment and start to put things together in
your head? A client might find it motivating to have a log of how many times she exercises today. What if we move a client upstairs to make the environment not only safer, but easier to navigate for all concerned?
2. Able to handle repetition.
How many times can you say or answer the same thing, watch the same movie, assist with putting on slippers, taking out hearing aids? Think about it.
3. Problem solve.
A client is asking the day and date every few minutes. Let’s get a progressive calendar with little blocks that she can rearrange every day and see at on the kitchen table.
4. Deal with body stuff.
Some clients need assistance with bathing, toileting and such. Can you handle changing an incontinent brief? Of course, you wear gloves, but it is still part of the job as a caregiver.
5. Take charge, softly.
I find the more I can direct my clients (whose brains are needing a little help), the more they feel at ease. If I can give them a choice, it helps. Not, “What do you want for lunch” but, “Which sounds best for lunch? A ham and Swiss cheese sandwich or chicken noodle soup?” Open ended questions or a span of day without a plan can cause anxiety. “How about after lunch we go into the den and read for awhile?”
6. Possess unnatural patience.
This, I will admit is my biggest challenge. But, it’s good for me. I work at it every day. Thank you, clients.

My title is a non-medical, in-home caregiver, and I am employed by a wonderful small company, With a Little Help. They are located in the Seattle area. Please tell them I sent you. You’ll get stellar treatment. Guaranteed!
http://www.withalittlehelp.com/