Person to Person Care: Calming Worries and Being There

Caregiver, Donna: “I visited  3 different ladies/clients this week and each one including my husband needed to talk about their fears, aches &  pains. Is it because of the shorter days coming? Maybe it's the covid19 quarantine that's getting us all feeling down and depressed. Whatever it is I take time to listen.

I never want to leave them when they are feeling this way so I strive to bring them to see the bright side of life and turn our talk into positive thinking. Sometimes if talk leads to it I'll share a silly story about my grandchildren or share an embarrassing moment. This always makes them laugh and they often will share a funny story of their own and before you know we are both laughing. I focus on support and Companionship.

Today I began to reflect on how the week went How did I do? Could I have done something more? I recognize no matter where we are, the world will always be full of people grieving, laughing, crying, loving, and hurting. But it's people who make our life so very special. So we all need to listen, have compassion for each other, and help each other whenever we see a need.

A quote by John W. Gardner came to mind that captures what I'm feeling right now perfectly. He wrote, "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." Isn't that true? We can't just erase our troubles away we have to accept them and keep our chins up and keep on doing the best we can.”

At Right at Home, Companionship is one of the most important supports to our clients. It Is important to support their emotional as well as physical and spiritual needs. We try to notice what they are feeling and what they need at any point, supporting them along the way of life.