Marilyn J.

I went into caregiving because I find a great deal of satisfaction taking care of others. I particularly enjoy the elderly. I have worked in private homes and in rehab facilities (alcohol and drug abuse) during the past 6 years. I also attended nursing school, but did not complete my course work. I have a CNA certificate. People say I have a pleasant personality and I am able to communicate well with anyone.

I was a caregiver for a 91 year old Japanese lady with dementia, for 27 months from March 2014 through June 2016. I lived with her in her house (just the two of us). When I became her live in caregiver in July 2014, she was 86 lbs, bedridden and a declared hospice. After just a few months of taking care of her, she gained weight (106 lbs) walked, not bedridden anymore and a "hospice graduate." Her family doctor was so amazed and said that if not for her dementia, she would have been in excellent health condition. She and her four children (they do not live with her) love me like their own family. I love her as my own mother, too. My lady had diabetes, too and I was able to control her sugar by proper diet. My eldest is a nutritionist by profession and I have learned a lot from her. I gave my lady daily a nutritious smoothie drink made of veggies, banana and papaya. She loved it and had developed the habit of drinking the healthy smoothie. I am not a caregiver by profession but my culture as a Filipino is all about respect and care for the elderly, thus, the caring part came out naturally. I was a retired professional who chose to serve and it paid off by the way the family treats me. I went to school to learn and acquire caregiving skills. I also passed the CNA state certification in Hawaii but unfortunately let it expire.