Elder Care in Hixson, Tennessee

I'm a care giver at heart. I always have been. I guess that comes from the kind of heart my daddy showed me by his quiet, gentle and graceful walk through my life. When I was a child I tagged along behind my daddy everywhere he went. He grew extra vegetables in our garden to share with less fortunate families. When he did so, the fathers and husbands didn't seem to feel lessened by his giving to them. My daddy said we give people a hand up not a hand out. Daddy visited the hospital and the local nursing home on a regular basis. He never spoke of this with anyone and went about helping the elderly men with their daily doings....he shaved some of their faces, he helped them into and out of their beds and wheelchairs, he walked them to their places at dinner and fed more than one in a sitting. I began to emulate my father and realize that many of the elderly had no one to visit or that truly cared. I played the piano, old hymns, poorly, but nonetheless, these lovely men and women were grateful for my attempts. I brushed women's hair and put there jewelry on them and wrapped their withered limbs with tiny blankets to keep them warm I played checkers and I took them for walks around the grounds...what a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.... I became a candystiper as soon as I was old enough at our local hospital. Later, at the age of 19 I began working as a nurses aide...back before certification was required... When you walk into a room and see the smile on another human beings face because they're glad to see you...when someone is in hospice and you know their days are few and you know you're doing all you can to make their last moments comfortable....when a young woman, bedridden, from cerebral palsy, becomes excited to see you coming through the door.....theirs nothing like it. I had a gentlemen who began urinating in the bed at night....it was so humiliating for him....I'd go in at night after his roommate had fallen asleep and give him a urinal bottle...as hard as it was for him, he appreciated the privacy I afforded him. Another time a woman was waiting for her son to visit and she messed herself and the linens...someone had given her laxatives the night before....what a mess.....she was in tears....one of the girls came to get me and when I got to her room, she was absolutely beside herself....she was so embarrassed and humiliated, she was a bit uncooperative....I came in and told her to dry her eyes....I shared how, at my age, is messed the bed too. Nothing for it but to get up, get a shower and start over....before it was over, she had us cracking up... I believe in God and being a servant. I believe that its true..its better to give than to receive...but somebody has to be on the receiving end...I needed a purpose beyond being a wife, mother and grandmother...helping others have an easier life is not only rewarding but I also believe that what goes around comes around....there may be a time when I have needs that must be met that I'm unable to do for myself....I'd like to think a compassionate heart will be their for me too when that time comes, if it does....u know that when someone is in my care they are in good hands and if I find I'm unable to meet their needs I'm not afraid to tell someone. The most important person is that person and meeting those needs. I hope this tells the story I wish to convey....