Linda Always Has Had Strong Bonds with Seniors
CAREGiver of the Month Linda Smallwood has forever felt a strong connection with seniors. Her grandmother was her best friend. When family gathered at the grandmother’s house on Sundays, Linda would always show up first.
“My grandmother lived on her own, and I helped her. She passed away at age 88 on my birthday, and losing her still hurts,” said Linda, who has been honored as a CAREGiver of the Month at Home Instead® of Clearwater, an award-winning franchise owned by Julie Castle.
News of Linda’s honor is no surprise to anyone who knows her. During her high school days in the San Diego area, Linda worked with people who needed help. Later, after she had taken college classes, Linda worked at a children’s hospital for 10 years. Family members who needed assistance were never too far from Linda’s compassionate reach even when she was working fulltime jobs. In fact, Linda helped two aunts who had Alzheimer’s disease. “It was hard to watch as they declined,” Linda recalled.
“One aunt was proactive because she was afraid of dementia before any symptoms began. She tried to keep her mind strong and elevate her brain activity because her father and three sisters had dementia. After she began battling dementia, I believe she had more good days than not. When she knew dementia was coming, she gathered her photos and divided them for relatives. As she moved into deeper stages, she self-isolated, which accelerated her loneliness. A great-grandson visited often and tried to socialize with her.”
As a CAREGiver at Clearwater, Linda is working for her second Home Instead franchise. About four years ago, she followed one of her clients to a San Diego-area Home Instead franchise. Linda explained: “I was working for another home-care company when the client transferred to Home Instead. He asked me to apply at Home Instead so I could continue to be his caregiver. When I was checking out Home Instead, I noticed it was Christian-based, which caught my eye. Home Instead is a most wonderful company.”
Linda worked for Home Instead for about a year before moving to Florida to be closer to family. She joined Home Instead of Clearwater on Dec. 29, 2019. “I love my job; it is enjoyable. I meet very interesting people. To do this kind of work, you have to have a heart. Not everybody can do this. I let the clients have their dignity. With dementia clients, I roll with the challenges and use a lot of redirection,” Linda said.
“Allowing as much independence as possible is a big goal. Since I previously had worked in an assisted-living facility in California, I know the importance of trying to keep the clients at home as long as possible. If there is a decline in their health, you must stay on top of it. Communication all the way around – client, family, office staff as well as doctors, nurses and therapists – is really important. You must never miss a beat.”
Linda helps two regular clients and often takes fill-in shifts. “I have one client three days a week, and she loves to shop. She likes three grocery stores, and she goes through the newspaper for sales and coupons. She writes down what she wants, and we find it. She doesn’t like using the walker in the store, so she pushes a grocery cart while I am a standby assist. Friday is usually all light housekeeping. She loves to play Scrabble and is competitive. She spells quite well, and her mind is sharp. She is the sweetest lady,” Linda said.
Linda’s other regular client is recovering from a stroke. “I assist her with hair and nails. Despite the stroke, she likes to do her own cooking. I was with her a couple of days before Thanksgiving, and we made homemade beef stew that turned out well,” Linda said.
During the two months Linda has been with the client, she has made good progress in her stroke recovery. “She’s doing well, and she is sharp. She’s on a walker. I arrived after she returned from rehabilitation. The therapists come to the client’s house. I am with her five days a week. Another CAREGiver is with her Sundays and Monday, which are my days off. We’re there just four hours, otherwise she’s alone. She’s not fearful but is pragmatic,” Linda said.
“Although she’s made good progress, she’s working on her paperwork for a possible move because she figures she’ll eventually be in assisted living. Moving to assisted living would put her closer to her son. As she prepares for the move, it could be in a year or a year and a half. She has been a success story so far, but she is taking pragmatic steps. Many people change for the worse physically after a stroke or a fall. I love to see a comeback – it’s a good feeling. An already fulfilling job seems that much more fulfilling.”
Our office serves all of Pinellas County, including Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Belleair, St. Petersburg, Gulfport and surrounding beaches. All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (727) 799-1400 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
