University of Minnesota - Dulu ...

I have been a caregiver for over 30 years and enjoy working with people and being part of their lives. I ran a retirement home as an assisted-living director and ran the dining room and started the Alzheimer's unit. I have been working with home health agencies and also at facilities and enjoy doing activities with the residence and seeing people smiling and laughing because most of them do not have families that come and visit them so basically we are their family. I enjoy being a caregiver and being in their homes because then you get to be one on one with them which makes caregiving more personable and it's a blessing that most of them can stay in their homes. Being a caregiver is not a talent or something that you can be trained on it's mostly what's in your heart and knowing that the elderly need good people to take care of them and One day we are going to be in the position where we will need someone to take care of us so knowing that there are good caregivers out there it just makes it easier on the family to take care of their loved one.

My caregiving started with my elderly parents who spent six months a year with me in Tucson. My mother had been diagnosed with dementia. They spent eleven winters with me and the summers near my brothers in Minnesota. Seven years ago a close friend asked me to be with her father while she was at work. He also had dementia and could no longer be at home alone at all. His daughters working schedule was ten to fourteen hour days four days each week. I would go to her home before she left for work. I would administer his medications, fix his meals, shower with him (I was in shorts and a tee shirt) shave and supervise teeth brushing and dressing. Some days I would take him to a day program for a few hours and then bring him to my home until his daughter picked him up when she was done working. As he declined I needed to be with him every minute to keep him from wandering off or going to the bathroom in the proper place, etc. I took care of him for over four years. My most recent care experience was with an elderly couple. I had been referred to their daughter by a mutual friend. Her mother had been diagnosed with dementia and the family wanted to keep their parents in their own home as long as possible. Their Mother had been ill and had lost a great deal of weight. I really needed to concentrate on how to get her to eat. I won by serving healthy, attractive meals and distracting her with conversation while she ate. She gained twenty pounds in two years.

Becoming a caregiver is a result of being a recent survivor of Leukemia. Those individuals that cared for me during my illness lest a lasting impression on me. I enjoy taking care of people, a kind of paying it forward process, as I know I will be there someday. What am I most proud of? Earning my Wings as a Marine Aviator, leading Marines and seeing them go on to very successful careers. And subsequently earning major leadership awards at an aerospace company. I enjoy teaching and learning. Everyone has something to teach! You just have to be a student, when they are teaching! :) I have been previously certified in Advance first aid, and have a significant knowledge of holistic and pharmacology.

I took care of my mother for over two years. I helped move her from a Condo, to Assisted Living, to Memory Care. I have also worked in physicians offices for over the last 10 years. I love to interact with my clients, read, tell stories, listen to music, help run errands etc. Whatever is needed. My mom is now in heaven so I am available to help others. I get a lot of joy out of it.

I am a trustworthy and dependable person who finds purpose in caring for those in need. I provide care with great empathy and compassion making sure the needs of those that I care for are met. Having to care for my uncle and grandparents made me realize how much joy I find in helping others and the fulfillment. I am proud of the moment I provided exceptional palliative care to elderly patients, provided them with a happy and comfortable life.

My parents talked me into becoming a CNA because they wanted me to end up being a nurse. Once I actually became a CNA and began working in a nursing home, I loved being able to connect and talk to my residents. I enjoy being a caregiver mostly because I love the companionship, making happy elderly people even happier, and it makes me feel good inside. I get joy from being able to help others, and in being a CNA, I feel like I'm needed and respected. When I fist became a CNA, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but after a few months I realized that I was achieving great people skills just by working at a nursing home. I gained patience, perseverance, and kept a great attitude the whole time. My co-workers loved working with me; I was a teem player and tried my best to please everyone around me. I am a people pleaser, and that is why I believe I am a great CNA. I'll be 20 in late August, and I'm currently going to school for my bachelors degree in Mortuary Science.

I became a caregiver to make a difference in the lives of others, to be able to go to work and come home and look myself in the mirror and known I had done something worthwhile and good. It is rewarding work, where I can make personal connections with others, and make use of my naturally empathetic nature and drive to take care of people. It makes me feel good to be doing something where I can be myself and do what I do best. A personal achievement I am proud of is making this my fifth year of helping people in their homes. Every year I gain new skills and expand my knowledge. I am glad to be in a field where I am always learning and growing. A little bit about myself: I am 30 years old, an outgoing and friendly INFP, into art, music, games, reading books, and watching shows. I love animals and have a dog and cat of my own. I am very patient, a good listener, and a quick learner! I have a car, I am flexible and punctual, and I keep a good attitude. I am very good at keeping myself occupied during downtime, but I enjoy staying busy as well.

Hello, my name is Betsy! I finished my CNA training course in March and am excited to enter the healthcare field. I took 2.5 years off to care for my daughter and realized that I enjoyed a care position so much that I decided to go back to school to become a direct care professional. I feel called to be in this field so that I can provide the best at home care that I can to you or your loved one.

I am retired individual looking to give back to the community. I have a wide variety of experience, including but not limited to: assisting with death and dying, post surgical assistance, transportation services, activities of daily life and meal preparation/diet requirements to name a few. I am a compassionate individual, enjoy working with the elderly and belief my purpose is to maintain joy and health to an individuals life while maintaining confidentiality and dignity.

I am a caregiver because I believe comfort is one of the keys to happiness. I currently work at an assisted living center, and I successfully finished my certification course earlier this year. I'm proud of myself for pursuing my goal of becoming an RN. In my free time, I study for my classes and spend time with my family.

1. I feel good when I help others. I feel I could make someones life easier and happier. 2. Talking with clients. 3.Got my BS in Dental Hygiene as a single mom of two girls ages 1 and 4. 4. I like to read. Grew up in a small town. Love my flower gardens.