As a 19-year-old, I work as a home health aide for older adults who cannot care for themselves any longer. Every day, I help them clean their houses, cook their meals, assist them to shower, get dressed, and take their medications as needed. I'm also involved in taking them to appointments and sitting with them - sometimes when this aspect is the most meaningful. Many times the elderly person has no nearby family, and being present shows me, even if small and insignificant, intentional acts of caring and kindness can mean the world to someone.
The second umbrella focus, when I can, is on isolation from everyday life and the feeling of being discarded. Many elderly people I care for simply want to be seen. I have learned in my work, showing compassion, patience, and simply listening has made all the difference sometimes with a person having a really difficult day. My job has taught me to be more appreciative of life, to see people for their humanity and strength even in their weakest state and with their bodies.
The majority of my motivation comes from the extraordinary people I’m caring for, by listening to their stories and the challenges they have overcome. I wish I could bottle those moments when someone smiles just because I took the time to listen to them or someone says thank you for helping them feel like themselves again. Those are the moments worth living for and I am reminded that this is why I do this work and that this is not just a job—this is a way to give back. I’ve come to realize that giving back not only benefits others—it benefits me as well. It has made me more grateful, humble, and aware of the power of kindness. To me, elevating others is part of being American. It means looking out for one another and standing beside one another in struggles while recognizing that we are better off because we care for one another. Helping others is not just something I do, helping others is part of my identity.
The second umbrella focus, when I can, is on isolation from everyday life and the feeling of being discarded. Many elderly people I care for simply want to be seen. I have learned in my work, showing compassion, patience, and simply listening has made all the difference sometimes with a person having a really difficult day. My job has taught me to be more appreciative of life, to see people for their humanity and strength even in their weakest state and with their bodies.
The majority of my motivation comes from the extraordinary people I’m caring for, by listening to their stories and the challenges they have overcome. I wish I could bottle those moments when someone smiles just because I took the time to listen to them or someone says thank you for helping them feel like themselves again. Those are the moments worth living for and I am reminded that this is why I do this work and that this is not just a job—this is a way to give back. I’ve come to realize that giving back not only benefits others—it benefits me as well. It has made me more grateful, humble, and aware of the power of kindness. To me, elevating others is part of being American. It means looking out for one another and standing beside one another in struggles while recognizing that we are better off because we care for one another. Helping others is not just something I do, helping others is part of my identity.