Giving Thanks: Caregiver Appreciation Week 2023
This year, Right at Home Memphis East celebrated Caregiver Appreciation Week with a token of thanks from the clients and/or their families. Clients were asked to give examples of what they liked most about their caregiver, and then it was put into a hand written note, and presented with a gift card. Honestly, hearing how our caregivers go over and beyond everyday in their duties with no desire for accolades is inspiring.
Here are a handful of statements taken from those thank you cards of the families we served in the Memphis area:
Mom doesn’t like taking baths, but since she (caregiver) started putting the towel in the dryer to warm it, it’s now mom’s favorite time of day!
I don’t know how she (caregiver) does it, but she makes chicken taste so good! I love her chicken!
He (caregiver) mentally stimulates my husband during his shift. It’s the best part of my husband’s day!
Mom doesn’t remember to take her meds, so she (the caregiver) calls after her shift, after hours, to make sure mom takes her nighttime meds. They have a real bond.
He (caregiver) is so polite and professional – he makes me feel safe when it’s shower time. Can’t really enjoy my shower when I’m worried the whole time I’m going to fall and hurt myself.
He looks forward to the lady (caregiver) coming. When she went on vacation, he drove me crazy asking for the lady. He loves her!
She (caregiver) not only takes good care of my dad, she showed us how to take care of him, too. We weren’t doing some things right and she shared some tricks.
We have a few girls taking care of my sister and they are all nice and professional. They do what they’re supposed to do and more. When she is mean and hollers out at them, they know it’s not her fault. They are so good to her.
She (caregiver) brings her own dinner and fixes mom dinner and they eat dinner together every night. She feels like family. It tickles me when I hear the two of them giggling in the kitchen together.
She (caregiver) makes my bed like a hotel bed. I like that.
I’m an excessive talker and she (caregiver) listens to me. It’s good to have someone who listens to me.
All I can say is she’s (caregiver) top notch. Mom couldn’t get better care in a home or hospital.
I just get so stiff and stuff. She (caregiver) is gentle and kind. She’s really my friend.
He (caregiver) jokes with me and makes me laugh real loud. He gets my feet and back in the shower. That’s real hard to do now. We have some real nice talks.
I think probably what I am most grateful for now is I am not alone anymore. She’s (caregiver) mentally and physically present with me.
I couldn’t have imagined what a load off my mind having someone else in the house would be. She (caregiver) takes initiative to do stuff I didn’t even think about but it needs to be done, you know? And it’s never just done. She goes over and beyond in her responsibilities.
It’s the Little Things
It’s definitely the little things in life that keep us smiling well into our silver years: a friend to joke around with, someone to listen, tasty chicken, a well-made bed, an enjoyable bath, a hot towel, and knowing someone has your back. Over one hundred families were contacted and every single one mentions some form of thanks regarding kindness, gentleness, skill, and engagement. Is this what you or your loved one is needing?