Caregiving Story

I took care of Mrs. Willa Mae Carter for approximately 2 1/2 years. I started out by visiting without any family members even knowing I was there.

Mrs. Carter was in early stages of dementia and no one knew. I began to take her on errands and cooking and cleaning for her. I worked for free for about 6 months because she was like the grandmother I never had. She always tried to give me money and I told her that if she wanted to hire me, I would take an early-out from the Postal Service to care for her full-time, with her legal guardian and grandson's knowledge. I didn't want anyone to think I was taking advantage of her. She was fairly wealthy and I was concerned about anyone else taking advantage of her as well.

We sat down and agreed on my salary and duties, which were cleaning, cooking, bathing, running errands, paying bills, scheduling doctors visits, monitoring medication, etc. I was already doing all those things anyway.

I enjoyed Mrs. Carter so much and I was very sad when she passed. I am married, but in her last months, I put my life on hold and moved in with her because she asked me to. She was very concerned about going to a nursing home. The family tried it once, and I looked in on her every day. I begged them to let her come back home. We lived happily ever after until the Lord took her home. I was so happy to be part of her life--in fact I know that she has changed mine forever.

May Willa Mae Carter rest in peace, I love you! “08”