This is an entry to recognize a top caregiver in the industry, submitted by Gene at Home Care Assistance in Texas. Please join us is recognizing a care job well done.
Mickie came to us as a caregiver in 2018. She was referred to us by one of our current caregivers – they were in exercise class together. Mickie had cared for 3 family members much of her life but had never done any professional caregiving or worked with anyone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. She knew she would have to work hard to prove her abilities.
Since working with us, Mickie has been with approximately 7 of our clients. The one I want to share about with you is her current client, Joyce. Mickie started working on a client’s case in August of 2019 to replace another caregiver. Joyce has dementia, but we don’t have a definitive diagnosis as her client went to a neurologist once and told her sons she was humiliated and would never go again. Her client was forgetful when we first started the case, however she has declined to where she now experiences confusion, hallucinations, sundowning, may not recognize her home anymore, sometimes does not recognize her sons, and she can become very irritable and says mean things. She has even locked a caregiver out of her home.
Since being around her client, Mickie has made it a priority to figure out how to work with Joyce to bring down and calm her anxieties. Because Mickie had no former experience with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia clients, she had a lot to learn.
Every month, we send out a newsletter to our caregivers with information in it that our corporate office puts out that includes tips on how to provide care for those with cognitive decline with a positive approach. In addition, we provide education using Teepa Snow dementia videos at our inservice trainings which are done quarterly. Mickie has really taken to heart the educational opportunities provided to her, and with this information, has learned how to speak with and approach her client, enter into the world that her client “lives in” with her dementia, and is able to calm and comfort her client when she feels confused and even guide her back to reality. This is a very difficult thing to do, even for someone who has previous experience caring for those with cognitive decline. It takes a lot of time, energy, and patience. Mickie takes her job very seriously and has a huge heart for her clients. Mickie was even asked to travel with her client for 3 months as her caregiver this past Summer to her client’s vacation home, which speaks highly to the family’s trust in her abilities to care for their mom. Mickie also makes herself available to talk to any other caregiver on the case if they are struggling and need tips on how to assist her client. It is so evident that Mickie and her client have a wonderful bond as her client will say, “Hi Mickie, you’re here! Please don’t leave me!”
I cannot imagine another caregiver more deserving of this award than Mickie. Thank you so much for partnering with Home Care Assistance to recognize outstanding caregivers!
Merry Christmas and God Bless your staff!
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