Tara H.

I became a caregiver, because I love taking care of the senior population. I feel a connection between the client and the caregiver should always be professional, and not to be a friend, but to have a friendly relationship. I enjoy being a caregiver, because it gives me something to be proud of to work with our most vulnerable people, and to give the family some relief in knowing that their loved one is taken care of. My proudest moment was when I graduated from PCC with a degree in Gerontology with a focus on Advanced Behavioral and Cognitive Care certificate. I also am following that with a bachelors degree in community health education and aging services at Portland State. I have been married for almost 14 years, and have no children, so I am free to do any shifts that are available.

I am patient and realistic. I know that our faculties change as we get older.It can be frightening to loose control of our lives as well as our bodies. I feel I am here to help my clients accept and embrace what is occurring . I have to readjust my expectations daily. I have clients who appear to be fading then suddenly are back to where they were. I am observant, I notice shifts in enthusiasm and attitude. I don't ignore those observations I make note to see if something has gone wrong or right!I understand the need for routine and control of your surroundings, personal items and placement of furniture. I read blogs, magazines and books to keep up on nutrition, medications, benefits, and side affects, and behavior. I am very interested in brain trauma, the effects of stroke on behavior,balance, aphasia. I have worked closely with several stroke survivors. Currently I assist a woman in who experiences aphasia. She is taking part in a study by Portland State University on aphasia and how it affects stroke survivors and their families. I have learned a great deal from her and the study. Previous to this, I worked with a stroke survivor who had a stroke after open heart surgery. When we first met she was unable to sit alone ,she has gone from being unable to sit alone to getting in and out of bed walking for up to 40 minutes with a walker, 6-13-16 she walked alone. I had her do her exercises every day, work on computer games, given by her Occupational therapist. She now removes her own shoes, and can dress her self. I was a caregiver to my mother after a brain injury suffered in a terrible car accident. In 2010 I shared hospice care for my brother who had bone cancer. My thoughts everyday were, what can I do to better understand what is happening, and how can I give him comfort. All of these qualities make me a good caregiver.