I am a Nursing Assistant, I have been working with the elderly for almost three years now. When I decided to go into caregiving, I was about eighteen years old when my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I soon left my current job, and stayed home to take care of her. Although it was one of the darkest, saddest times of my life, I learned so much about myself. I got so close with my mom at that point, and I just knew that taking care of people and making them feel the best they can was my calling. I specialize mostly working with Alzheimer's, I think because of my patience, and my way of understanding their struggle expressing feelings, wants, and needs. I worked in two alzheimers units in the three years I've had my CNA(Certified Nursing Assistant), and I cannot tell you how many amazing experiences I've had. I've met some of the most wonderful people, and got the opportunity to take care of them and get to know them. With Alzheimers, it's usually the last chapter in their life. I try to embrace the time I do get with them, although its not long before their functions begin to shut down over time, and they pass on. I have been there for many people's last breaths, and it's always hard to see someone you love pass away. I have grown so much working in this field, I try to appreciate the small things. Life is short.
So i've decided to include some past memories I've had, as well as experiences I have day to day. There are many people that I have cared for that really stuck to my heart I'd like to share with whoever reads this blog. I hope you enjoy them.
All the names I use in my stories will be fake names so that I don't break any rules from HIPPA. I remember one woman that I just fell in love with when I met her. We'll call her Betty. Betty lived in the assisted living facility i worked in. She didn't have Dementia of any kind, but her body functions had basically deminished. I remember she would always love it when i would come in and visit with her. Betty would always offer me a coke, and we would talk about everything. Her laugh was always so contagious. I took care of her for almost 8 months, we got extremely close, and I began to notice her declining. Soon she was put in a hospital bed, and then not long after she lost the function to swallow food, she had gotten to that point of the death process that was the roughest. With her entire family around, one morning around six am, I got a phone call from her family. The told me that Betty was asking for me, they said she was close to the end. I threw on whatever I had, and rushed in. Went to her bedside and held her hand. My eyes began to water, but I tried really hard to keep it together for the family. She died not long after. She is someone i will really miss. I think about her often.
