Compassionate Caregiving: A Guide For Families Dealing with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Dementia and Eldercare

By Melodie Anderson

Caregivers are crucial in supporting vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. They ensure these individuals can maintain their quality of life and independence to the best extent possible. Caregivers who offer daily personal care do so comp

• Language: English
• Publisher: Healthcare
• Release date: Oct 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798868952647

Melodie Anderson

I am a 64 yr old Christian woman with four grown adult children and nine grandchildren who have blessed my heart. I have many years experience in the caregiving world.

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INTRODUCTION

Hello, my name is Melodie Anderson. I am writing to introduce myself as a caregiver, happy mother, and grandmother (Nana).

Throughout my life, I have cherished the roles of motherhood and grandmother, or in my case, I'm Nana, which instilled in me the values of patience, compassion, and unconditional love. These qualities have naturally translated into my career as a caregiver, where I have had the privilege of extending these God-given attributes to those in need.

As a caregiver, I have had the opportunity to support individuals through various physical and emotional challenges. My experience has taught me the importance of providing essential care and creating a warm, nurturing environment where individuals feel valued and comfortable.

The joy I find in caring for others is deeply rooted in my roles as a mother and grandmother, and I bring the same level of commitment and dedication to my caregiving duties. I understand the unique needs of individuals, and I am dedicated to ensuring their well-being and quality of life. 

I am excited about sharing my caregiving experience with you.

I pray that you find the best caregiver for your needs, and if it's you or a family member, make sure to take care of yourself. Self-care is essential. It is not an indulgence. It's an investment.

God bless you.

Melodie

MY PERSONAL STORY OF HOW I BEGAN CAREGIVING:

My experience started 35 years ago when I asked my grandfather where he wanted to live after my grandmother passed. He said to be with me in Tennessee. He was in Florida then, and I lived in Nashville, Tennessee. His daughter, who lived in Pennsylvania and had power of attorney, put him in a nursing home in Florida when the time came. This broke my heart. Growing up, my grandfather was my only male role model; I adored him immensely. As a young child of three years, I overheard my grandmother, out of endearment, call my grandfather Honey. I thought that was his name. I continued to call him Honey until the day he passed. It was our special bond. I even addressed all his letters to Honey Gibson. The mail carrier always spoke to me when I visited in Florida. She thought it was such a sweet closeness he and I shared. He was miserable in the nursing home.

I wound up talking his daughter into bringing him to Nashville to live with me for a bit and see if it worked. He was with me and my family; I have four children. Their ages were six months and 1.5 years old. A 3-year-old and a 7-year-old, as well as my husband helping. We loved him and made him feel so special. It was my best time to give back after he did so much for me for many years. I homeschooled my children then, so we were home a lot to accommodate my grandfather's needs. The laughter and innocence of my children brought so much happiness to him. After six months, his daughter wanted him to live with her in Pennsylvania. She had power of attorney, so my hands were tied. After crying and releasing him, I vowed we would visit as much as possible. She took him home to her house for two days, decided it wasn't working for her, and put him in a nursing home in Pennsylvania. We visited him a week later, and he asked me to take him out of there. I knew I couldn't, and it hurt me so bad. I had no choice but to go back to Nashville without him. A few weeks later, he passed away. I didn't know I would forever be tied to the home caregiving world. 

Many years later, when my children were grown, I got my first opportunity to help a family out.

I was asked by a gentleman in our church to run by three times a day at his mother's home and ensure his mother was eating healthy, dressing, and getting her routine going. Her name was Nancy, and I'll never forget her. She would call me up late at night and ask me where I was because she thought it was morning. Once I told her the time of day, she would laugh and be tickled at herself. We would do crossword puzzles, watch the news, and ensure she was safe and content. We would take long walks and talk; she had such interesting stories for me. She always kept me laughing. She especially enjoyed it when I painted her nails. She was my first, and I loved her very much. 

I've had many in between, but my greatest blessing is giving each person, man or woman, their dignity and treating them with love and respect.

 I'm currently with a gentleman who uses a wheelchair, and we lost his wife last year. Both were in the early nineties when I started. Three and a half years later, I'm still here. We have a daily routine that gives him peace of mind. His greatest joy is sitting under his 50-plus-year-old oak tree, which shades him from the Tennessee sun. He listens to