Maria R.

became a caregiver because i worked at hospitals and so many of the elderly patients when going home had no one to care for them at home. so i decided and go out in that field of in home care and have been doing it for the last 22 yrs. what i like about being a caregiver is the fact that you work one on one and get to know the clients needs very well and i am not in a time clock or just a number as to working in facilities. Personal achievement is that i get so involved with the family n the elderly that after a while they are like family to me and i like going extra miles in helping out and not just for the amount of pay. i live in Sun City, CA. and have been very proud of myself in helping out the elderly because at the end of the day its always very rewarding.

I decided to become a caregiver after recovering from a horrible accident when I was 20 years old. I received very poor care in a CA county hospital when I was hit and run over on my bicycle. I was discharged after two weeks and hadn't yet been treated for third degree burns. If it hadn't been for The ICU nurse, I wouldn't have survived. I do remember my interactions with her and one other nurse. I believe that they inspired me to want to do the same for others. Also, My older brother was developmentally challenged. I cared for him as a child and even helped him get his high school diploma and drivers license. I tutored him in english. I also gave care to my mother when she developed ovarian cancer. In the year 2000 I became a caregiver for the state operated group homes in AZ. I went on to work for Helping Hands,(also in AZ), and then became a certified nursing assistant through a Kindred facility in Sedona, AZ. Shortly after I was offered a position as an RNA after completing the course and passing my skills test. I am now partially retired and continue to work part time as a caregiver.