It’s work that makes your heart bigger.

Amy, from Cumberland County, has spent nearly a decade working in her community, providing support for people who are aging and those who are living with disabilities. Her work allows them to stay safely within their own homes. 

What do you do for work, and who are the clients that you work with?

I’m currently a caregiver for a woman in her sixties who had a stroke. I take her to doctor’s appointments, and we go grocery shopping. It’s something so small that we take for granted that’s huge for her. She’s one of the most positive people that I know and is so thankful and so appreciative of just the small things. 

I also took care of a person with Alzheimer’s for six years. He was very smart, and he was so much fun. He loved music, and he’d love to go for drives. We’d go for hours, and we would sing. He just made my heart so much bigger. He was amazing. 

How did you get into this line of work?

I was a waitress for a long time, for many years, and that’s actually how I met my first client. One day, his kids just took me aside and said, “You’re so good with him.” He lived right down my road, a so I started out doing this work a little bit at a time. Now, I don’t think I’d go back. I love what I do. You get bonded relationships with the people you work with and their families. 

What do you enjoy about your work?

I’m a giver, and to do something so little that means so much to them is very rewarding. The best part of working with people who are aging, I think, is giving back to them some things that they’ve lost and being able to help them keep that dignity and be able to be self-sufficient. 

My clients have definitely given so much to my life. It has made my heart bigger than it ever could be. I couldn’t imagine not having their relationships in my life. Providing someone with a safety net makes you feel extremely wanted. It’s very, very rewarding. 

What types of skills and qualities does it take to be successful in this field?

Empathy is huge and just being kind and giving. I didn’t know that it was for me until I got into it, really. It just made me feel so good. It was so rewarding. 

To be able to work in my community has just made me closer with the entire community. It also makes my life a whole lot easier—in terms of gas and travel time. I can leave the house in two minutes and be at work on time. It’s very convenient.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in getting into the field?

There are so many opportunities that a lot of people don’t even know about in your own community. In my little town, I have been able to just stay right here. There’s just such a need—huge, huge, huge need. I think it’s just about finding that person who you work well with together.  Caregiving is so rewarding, and anyone who ever wants to give back to the people who have given to us in the past—I would strongly encourage them to reach out. You never know; your neighbor next door may have needs.