MaiMee Y.

I became a caregiver to help others, it's always given me pleasure knowing I was able to make someone else's life a little better. I like being a caregiver because it allows me to give back what has been in me. The thing I'm mostly proud of is how much I've accomplished throughout my life. I'm 37 years of age and I've been a CNA for about 13 years now. I'm a very family-oriented, compassionate person who cares about the level of care I provide to others. I'm very dedicated to those I provide services for. I believe in the clients' right to choose his/her care along with treating the client and their loved ones with dignity and respect.

When my mother was ill, I was the one she would call to make her scrambled eggs. I took her to the swimming pool and hot tub to get exercise and relaxation. I cut her hair, took her to doctor's appointments and then lunch, and generally gave her some companionship. As I dusted her knickknacks, she told me where each was from. Mom died in 2002. When dad was ailing, some of my family tried to move him into assisted living, but he wanted to stay in his own home. I gave up my apartment and moved in with him, while working in publishing during the day. We had a great time together for a year and a half. Just after he died, I lost my job because I had spent too much time with dad. That evening, the daughter of a neighbor I'd assisted over the years called me, asking if I could help her mother. That began years of caregiving in which I have helped people stay in their homes, and enjoy life. I've brought my keyboard and played hymns and popular songs, singing with them and laughing. As a caregiver, I am simply happy to help my people stay in their own familiar setting. I believe the way I interact with them makes them happy. And my cooking makes them extremely happy! I built my cooking experience on my mom's, then learned to cook for fewer than 8 people! I edited three "Taste of the Country" cookbooks, working with a professional dietician who taught me many ways to fit dietary needs while providing tasty food.