Caregiving Story

My dad began getting ill and having TOAs that were going undetected. This went on for a long time and then, on top of the heart problems, my dad began getting Alzheimer's/dementia/and Parkinson's. My dad slowly began losing his memory, became agitated with everyone. Losing his motor skills, he became unaware of his incontinence. My dad could no longer eat or anything on his own.

When I was saw how he was declining, I gave up my job to take care of my dad. I was the only person my dad remembered to the end. My dad would allow me to do everything for him. I made my dad happy, safe, loved, understood, and taken well care of. I told my dad that he took care of me all my life and now it was my turn to take care of him. My dad trusted me. My dad also knew I had been in the healthcare field for 5yrs. and that I knew what I was doing.

Every day I would help him with bed baths, applying lotion. I assisted him in eating and taking his medication, as well as toileting and changing his briefs for him till he had to have a catheter put in. While I was taking care of my dad, he let me know how he appreciated my help and my love to him. He helped me to realize in my heart of hearts that taking care of him and all those I had helped through the years truly is what god intended for me to do.

My dad passed away July 29,2006 and I know when he went home, he went happy and proud of me. I have made caregiving my life. I am who I am today because of my dad. I know how frightened my dad was, and I understood and my dad knew it. Everyone has a destiny given to them to fulfill and being a CNA/HHA/Med Tech in geriatrics is mine.

I take pride in the love I can give to others as their lives change. I know I make a difference in their lives and that makes me proud. I give the same love to people as I gave to my dad. May my dad rest in peace. It was hard for me to go on taking care of people after my dad passed, but my dad has let me know that others need me now, and need my love and compassion. They depend on people like me, so I didn't give up, or stop doing what I love. Every day I help another is another day I am grateful to my dad.