Keeping the "care" in caregiving

Elder Focus
Volume 2, Issue 4
July-September 2005
A publication of Schmieding Center
Website address:
http://www.schmiedingcenter.org/pdf/EF_v2_4.pdf

Through the Eyes of the Caregiver

Caring comes naturally for Fink Holloway; just ask her family, friends, or co-workers. Though caring informally for those around her has been a life-long occupation, serving as a professional caregiver came later. Her first experience as a paid caregiver was providing respite care for an extended family member and she went on to provide respite care for her father until his death. Fink’s next caregiving challenge came in the form of Ella, who became not just her client, but also her friend.

At age 77, Ella had been extremely independent and active, but a car accident left her a quadriplegic. After some initial gains through treatment and physical therapy, her progress plateaued and Ella needed assistance for every activity of daily living. Fink received initial instruction from a registered nurse who served as caregiver for Ella for a year. While Ella’s physical needs were being met, Fink realized that Ella “needed more than a bath, she needed a life.” Beyond just preparing to provide physical care, Fink sought out enriching opportunities to enhance Ella’s quality of life.

When Fink heard of the opportunity to further her training at the Schmieding Center, she made a call and enrolled in the Elder Pal course. She also went on to attend the more advanced Personal Care Assistant and Home Care Assistant courses.

As Ella’s condition and needs changed, Fink found the advanced training very helpful. “The Schmieding nurse educators were knowledgeable, compassionate and helpful. When I came back for Continuing Education classes, they went beyond just instruction, specifically asking about Ella’s condition and offering ideas, information, and support that allowed me to give her even better care.”

Fink was exposed to advanced training and experts who walked and talked her through procedures that she eventually had to put to use in caring for Ella. When she started caring for Ella, some of the skills covered in the advanced Schmieding training weren’t immediately necessary, but as Ella’s condition declined, Fink was grateful that she was prepared to continue to provide care for the increasing needs.

If Ella’s family had not been able to find trained, competent caregivers, they would have been unable to keep her at home. Like most families, they still had jobs and responsibilities of their own. The assistance of a professional caregiver gave them the peace of mind to both care for their mother and have a life of their own.

For Fink Holloway, home caregiving was a calling, not just a profession. “I don’t ever want to be in the business of just caregiving,” said Fink. “With Ella, I saw myself more as a friend than an aide and I think it’s the same for most of the students who are drawn to the Schmieding training.

Caring for others is more about the relationship than the job.” The Schmieding curriculum puts great emphasis on personal dignity and respect. “These aren’t just textbook concepts, they are inherent in the way the skills are approached and carried out.” “At Schmieding there is a saying, ‘Caregivers Care’ that’s the heart of this place. Schmieding cultivates that attitude in the students who are trained here.”