Liwayway A.

Some residents at the Assisted Living Community call me Christmas, saying it's close to Carol , my nickname. They said it fits my personality. Willing to give love (as the song goes... on Christmas Day!), happy, funny, full of joy! I have been taking care of my Father who suffered from stroke for 10 years back in the Philippines, being one of his caregivers. I was also his Physical Therapist. We moved here in the US 5 years ago, and I have worked as a caregiver , then transitioned to work in the Med Room as a Medication Technician at Maple Glen Assisted Living in Shelton, WA. I consider it a calling given the opportunity to work there. I am a people person and loves taking care of elderly. I treat them as family and I enjoy listening to their stories, and attending to their needs. Having a Physical Therapy background, and with experience in home health, clinical, and hospital settings, I could offer different types of assistance based on the needs. I consider my time at Maple Glen as one of my career achievements. I love all of the residents and I became The Employee of the Month in less than a year. Being a caregiver is a calling for me. I am proud to be one and I enjoy doing it! It is not an easy job but coming from a Filipino family surrounded by big hearted love ones, I carry it wherever I go, and I live up to the values my parents had taught me, which I am passing on to my daughter and son.

I am a current nursing student at SPSCC in Olympia, WA and will be receiving my Associates Degree December of 2016. After receiving my degree, I plan to further my education and eventually become a Registered Nurse. I have taken the CNA course for my Nursing Assistance Certification but am not officially Certified until I take the state exam for it. But, I do have other documents and certificates to show for it upon request. As I grew older, I came to realise that caring for others is my passion. I have a nurturing nature in me already so I figured, why not put it to more use and help elders and the disabled that are in need? I think I get that from my grandmother, being raised by her all my life including my grandpa. I have been in the caregiving industry for about 2 years now and have shadowed at Mother Joseph's nursing home in the past for 2 weeks, dealing with several patients that suffer from different health conditions including Dementia. Currently, I am also a caregiver for an individual on weekends, who suffers from several health conditions. Jobs for her include showering, dressing, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, giving medications and assistance in any other means necessary for her. If hired, I can reassure your Mother will be in good hands as I take my job seriously and passionately.