Be kind...

I've been a caregiver for the same elder for almost 2 years. It has been a learning experience and I feel my "client" and I both benefit from the situation. I am grateful to have a job and feel closeness to this family. I enjoy interacting with them and I know in my heart I am appreciated, at least by the husband and wife. It may be a cultural thing, but my client has a funny way of asking for things. He doesn't ask...he tells you what he wants. He will say, "You can get me a tissue. You can bring me the newspaper. You may help me stand up." He has never asked for something like most people do. Until today...for some strange reason. I was just talking to Dave about how my paternal grandmother (who I cared for the last years of her life) used to make me feel so unappreciated. She was mean, no other way to put it. She would tell everyone around her "thank you" and "please" except for me. I'm really not sure why, but I just know it really hurt my feelings and it made me not want to do things for her. But I did, because I promised my grandfather I would take care of her AND I LOVED HER. Anyway, my client asked me to do things for him today. I was assisting him into the shower and he said, "Could you please hand me the shampoo?" And then, "Could you please dry my back?" And I even got a few thank yous during the showering process. It was nice. It felt good. It made me feel appreciated and valued as a caregiver. It was something so simple and kind...and I loved it. A small act that shows respect and appreciation can mean so much to the person receiving it. So please, be kind...to everyone.