November is Family Caregiver Appreciation Month. We’d like to profile a few of our own Family Caregivers.
Joan has always been drawn to older people. She recounts that during her childhood, she much preferred the company of the older ladies. Joan is inquisitive by nature and likes to ask questions about other people’s lives. Her self-described gift is listening, and who better to listen to than an older generation full of wonderful stories and experiences?
Joan’s mother, Eleanor, is 95 years young. Active and independent, she never wanted people doting on her. She was the one who often coordinated the care for her church community, the carer, not the recipient of care.
It was in December 2022 that Joan and her sister Patricia had a difficult conversation with Eleanor. They asked their mother to give up driving. To soften the rebuttals, Joan said, “It’s not you, it’s them”. Not an unrealistic statement given the many distracted drivers on the road.
So it began, Joan and her sister Patricia started to drive Eleanor to the grocery store, hairdresser, and to appointments. Often, the first step many sons and daughters take on their journey to becoming caregivers.
Recently, Eleanor experienced a back injury. A setback that was eye-opening for Joan. Her mother became bedridden and more reliant on the assistance of Joan and her sister. Joan said, “Seeing her in pain has been really difficult for me. She went from being very active and independent to really needing help.”
Joan started her professional caregiving career with Home Instead almost a year ago and has loved every minute of it. She recounts the stories of her client’s amazing lives. Now, she’s also caring for her mother.
Thank you, Joan, for being a family caregiver and supporting Home Instead in our mission to provide the best home care in Lancaster, MA.
