Journals of a Caregiver

By Linda Rigsbee

Most people agree that it takes a certain personality to be an effective caregiver. Are there early indicators of that personality? I think so. I have been considered, by both employer and clients, to be an effective caregiver, so I examined my past for clues. I found 7 early indications of what I consider to be a caregiver personality and I have used humor to convey them.

   I didn't discover my skill until I lost my office job of 30 years - two weeks after spending a week at my mother's side as she died at home of cancer. I found the best job of my life as a caregiver for Home Instead, a company that provides in-home care for seniors. It was good training, as I wound up being a caregiver for my husband when he was paralyzed. He went from flat on his bed, unable to turn over by himself, to walking. I took care of my father until his death as well. I didn't merely do it because I thought I should. I wanted to. Taking care of people was something I loved doing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HomeSpun Literature Publishing
• Release date: Oct 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215516393

Linda Rigsbee

Rigsbee is an award-winning, multi-genre author. She has published more than 50 books since 1986. She writes non-fiction and fiction in story lengths from flash fiction to novels. Cradle to rocking chair, her stories are all delivered without profanity or explicit sex. The endings are always upbeat. Rigsbee designs most of her covers and illustrates her children's books. Rigsbee struggled in school to make passing grades and didn't discover until her son was diagnosed that dyslexia was the cause. After that, she knew she could do anything she wanted to do if she tried hard enough. She wanted to write, and so she did. Rigsbee maintains a website of free reads. No membership or information is required to read these advertising-free stories and poems online. All the works are copyrighted by her. The website is deartales dot com. For more information about the author, visit her website at http://www.lindarigsbee.com "I write for pleasure; yours and mine." Linda L. Rigsbee

Book preview

DEDICATION

I was born Linda Louise Mecham in Wichita, Kansas on July 24, 1949. My parents, Chuck & Lee Mecham, were children during the depression and young adults during WWII. They taught me the value of a dollar, integrity, compassion and age. So great was their influence on me that I think without them, I would have been a different person.

I dedicate this book to my parents, who are gone, but still live on in their children. I hope I can leave that kind of legacy.

INTRODUCTION

I didn't begin my professional career as a caregiver until I was in my late 50's. Yet thinking back, there were many indications that I had the caregiver personality - some as far back as I can remember. In this booklet, I muse over those early indications with the hope that it will inspire others who might want to begin their work as a caregiver a little earlier than I did.

INDICATION 1

When I told my husband that I wanted to get some chickens as pets, he looked at me as though I was crazy. Chickens? I've always loved chickens. In fact, I've always loved animals. I loved