Home Caregiver with her Elderly Patient
The association between a caregiver and their elderly patient is a very important relationship to obtain. The amount of admiration and trust shared between this set of individuals is unmatched, and it’s understood by both parties that this bond is about more than just home healthcare.
The daily interaction in a person’s life is more than a job for an elderly individual. You’re fulfilling the role of a loved one, a close friend, and a confidant. Their family will remember the love and care taken to make sure their mother, father, grandparent, or family friend is as comfortable, healthy, and hygienic as possible.
Featuring: The Son of an Alzheimer’s Patient
The mother in this story – let’s call her Dorothy, was 89 years old. Dorothy’s oldest daughter Nancy took care of her mother as her health started to deteriorate before her untimely death at age 64. Her only surviving relative left in her life was her 62-year-old son, Marvin. Marvin came to realize over time that his mother needed help getting dressed, doing her hair, bathing, and performing other means of essential women’s health that he had never before provided to his mother.
For two years, Marvin took care of his mother to the best of his ability. He wasn’t the type to call out for help or admit that some aspects of healthcare were just a little too much for him at times. He never had a problem assisting his mother with any and everything she needed, but he knew he wasn’t going to be able to give her the real attention she deserved.
It wasn’t until Marvin needed to attend a mandatory, last-minute job out of town that he understood she needed to be attended to in his absence.
After reluctantly reaching out, he was greeted by a charming caregiver from a different company than he was used to, who took all of Dorothy’s symptoms in stride. Not only did they understand and cater to her regular hallucinations, but they took genuine care of her. They reassured her, kept her happy, and provided gentle care, and all-around TLC.
When Marvin returned from his weekend trip, he was pleasantly surprised that his mother and her caretaker had created a genuine bond. They took care of her private matters that Marvin was afraid to disrupt, brought her top-of-the-line bedding to enhance her level of comfort, and the relationship didn’t stop there.
Dorothy began referring to her caretaker as “Nancy”, remembering in faded pieces how her late daughter used to take compassionate care of her. The caregiver took heed to this. Marvin recalls how her caregiver never left her side after these signs of love were reciprocated. The caregiver continued to buy her gifts to elevate her happiness and relief. They were even there, holding her hand with Marvin as Dorothy took her last breaths in the comfort of her home.
Dorothy deserved that extra push of empathy, softheartedness, and understanding in her last moments. Marvin never forgot how his mother’s caregiver was always by her side and her caregiver continued to show her appreciation and love for Dorothy by attending her funeral and catering to Marvin’s similar needs some years after when he too was stricken with Alzheimer’s.
Theirs was a bond that continued to develop, maintain, and harbor trust, love, and admiration.
