Specializing in 1 Hour Visits: Serving Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Nokomis, East Bradenton, Florida

It takes a very special kind of person to work as a CNA.  Qualifications include compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, patience, organization, honesty, strong body, and of course a love of people.  I became a CNA when I was 21 years old.  I had no idea how rewarding this job could be.  I worked in a large hospital, a nursing home and a pediatrician’s office, all within the first year after I became certified, and yes, all at the same time.  Each setting had it’s own benefits.  The hospital was exciting.  Every shift I was sent to a different part of the hospital, so I saw everything from gunshot wounds to breast augmentation.  The nursing home was hard physical work but it was such a blessing to be around the elderly and all of their wisdom.  I have many sweet memories of working there and once in a great while, I drive by the facility with my husband and tell him a few stories.  The pediatrician’s office was great.  Babies and kids are wonderful.  Rarely did I see anything serious.  I encourage anyone with a heart for people to challenge themselves to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.  The field can always use a good one!

I recently attended a lecture at a local nursing home for a nursing school related activity. The lady spoke with such a passion for the elderly and really caught my attention. I had never thought about how much a person has to give up when they move into a nursing home.

Just think about this…how does one consolidate a houseful of memories into one small bedroom? Simple things like their own towels and favorite dishes that are replaced with institutionalized household items . A lifetime of family photographs but can only bring just a few. The menu will be announced weekly, so no longer will the person have the choice of what they “feel like” eating. They often have to share a room with a complete stranger. Their closet space might be smaller than what they had at home, so they can only bring a tiny fraction of their wardrobe.

The list goes on and on of adjustments one has to make upon entering a nursing home. The way the lady spoke about all of these changes had me in tears. I had never thought about it quite like that before..

I really believe aging adults will thrive better in their own homes. Being in a familiar place with all of the comforts of home and surrounded by a lifetime of memories. Sometimes, they just may need a little extra help with bathing, meal preparation, or just to have someone check in on them a few times a week. That’s where I come in. Please give me a call to see how I can be of assistance.

Home is where the heart is.