What it Means to Care for the Elderly

Dedicated to my Dear Friend, Mary

Being caretaker for someone much older than we are is a very rewarding experience. It’s good for them, but it’s good for us, too. I can’t stress that enough. It’s deeply rewarding —on a soul level.

Several years ago, Robert and I lived in a different 55+ community. A friend and his wife stopped to talk one afternoon and we soon learned there was a second reason for their visit.

Larry explained he was moving his elderly mother (Mary) from another state to a rental in our community. She recently had to give up driving, but she was not ready to give up her independence and she insisted on still living on her own.

Larry was moving her into a second house he owned as an investment property. After her move, he would be nearby for trips to her doctor appointments, the grocery, and to help with anything she couldn’t do by herself.

Where she was living, Mary had a woman come in three days a week. She helped with Mary’s bathing, her hair (wash, rollers, dry, comb), and since Mary was almost completely deaf, at times she also needed help attaching her Cochlear hearing implants which were bone-anchored hearing aids.

He hadn’t been able to find anyone in our community to be her aide yet and she would be moving in less than a week. He was feeling desperate and asked if I knew anyone he could call. It would be a paid position.

I asked Larry to give me a day or two so I could make some phone calls. After they left, I thought about it while I was getting dinner ready. I told Robert this was something I felt I could do. He said if it’s what I wanted to do, I should do it. He also felt I would be perfect for the job.

I called Larry that same evening. I told him while I had no experience, other than being a candy striper in the senior center at the hospital while I was in high school, I was certain this job was for me.  Larry already knew me and he agreed. 

It turned out to be a wonderful experience. I loved Mary and we had a very special bond.  Besides her personal care, we also spent many happy times together sharing our lives, grocery shopping, going out to lunch, or just an ice cream cone. Mary especially loved long golf cart rides to see what Mother Nature bloomed on that day.

I’m so thankful I trusted my heart and took the job. Mary has been gone for a good while now and I will always miss her gentle heart.

Poet/Writer/Author of 5 books.
Quora Top Writer 2018.
CJ’s World is reader supported.
If you enjoy reading my work, please,
be a paid subscriber so I can continue 
writing.  Thank you!