Stephani G.

Care-giving that spans a lifetime, because it's my nature. Providing care in both home and facility settings. In the personal realm, I helped raise a well-adjusted and good human, who has herself become an exceptional mother. We welcomed a first grandchild, in 2016, who is the light of my life, the second in 2019, a sweet/tart little spitfire, and are expecting a third soon! Such a joy! In the mid-1990s, my sister and I operated an in-home daycare, so we could have social time for my daughter. We were new to the area, with no connections and limited resources. That was a busy time! In the early-2000s, I subbed in an Adult Daycare/Work Center and associated group homes, for developmentally disabled adults (Counterpoint, Inc). I've also volunteered with Eagle Mount. When my daughter was 3-1/2, I began working on a BS in Environmental Science. It took a little extra time, but I got it done in 2003. I worked in industry for 12+ years, before my next caregiving "gig". In 2016, we learned that the cancer, put in check in 2012, had returned and metastasized, in my Grandfather. It was always my plan to care for them, in this stage of life. I spent much of 2017 teamed up with my Grandmother. We made it through. My Grandfather died at home, surrounded by his wife and children. In addition to metastatic lung cancer, he experienced Lewy body dimension. On returning home, I worked as a Life Skills Trainer, in a group home for adults with traumatic brain injuries (Liberty Place). The individuals served are medically and psychologically complex. I experienced crisis situations with two residents, was able to support them, help them stay safe, and both made it through. Services included medication management, scheduling, transport, and advocacy, in addition to help in relearning life skills and providing recreational opportunities.

In my opinion, to be considered a caregiver, I believe a caregiver should have a passion for taking care of their clients in the utmost respect physically and mentally/emotionally, and that has a sense of empathy, compassion, and true patience. I was 16 years old living in Arizona when I first found I had a passion for helping care for my elderly grandfather after he had a stroke and became wheelchair bound. I assisted my grandfather in his ADLs, lifting and transferring him to and from his bed and to his wheelchair. I also took the time to learn his medication and set reminders for him, meal prepped, and helped assist in transporting him into town and to his appointments. I kept up with his housekeeping and made sure he had plenty of medical supplies if needed. Later I decided to work as a caregiver when I moved back home to Montana and found I actually indeed had a true passion for helping those in need of my assistance. I later went on to college to further my passion in nursing. I am currently an enrolled nursing student. I enjoy listening to my clients share their stories and just getting to know them and letting them know, I am there for them and their needs that need to be met. A personal achievement I am proud of is getting out of my comfort zone, moving my family to another city to go to school for nursing, so I can become a registered nurse and further my professional health career as a nurse.