Coconino County Community Coll ...

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.

I became a caregiver because it is my way of giving back. It feels good knowing that you can put a smile on a residents face when they are feeling down. I am proud that I can walk into work with a smile and seeing the residents, them telling me personally how happy they are to see me, and just focusing how I can help them every time I am there. I do my best when I am at work, I am certified in this field, for supervisory, direct, personal, and medication. I love what I do, makes me feel happy knowing I am helping people that need that extra help.

I became a caregiver 10 years ago when I saw the lack of care my great-grandmother was receiving at a nursing home. I set off and became a certified nursing assistant, certified caregiver and first aid along with CPR training. We brought my great-grandmother home and I took care of her for several months before she passed away. I know first hand how hard it is to care for a family member and how important it is for the caregiver of the family to take some time to themselves. I have worked in many different settings over the years, for a company, in a nursing home, hospice care, and privately. I have also worked with a wide range of different levels of care over the years. I am comfortable in most situations, bathing,brief changes, feeding, cooking, dressing, filling weekly pill reminders, transportation, companionship, casual outings to keep things different and fresh. I try and encourage people to do as much for themselves as they can, keeps them thinking and gives them a since of independence, a lot of the times they can do a lot for themselves and they just need a little encouragement and a feeling of security that someone is there to help if they need it. I have an interest in alzheimer's and dementia, I have taken several courses and classes of the years to help take care of people who are suffering from these diseases.I also have several years experience with both alzheimer's and dementia.