Thankful Series - Staff Caregivers
Hey Hey Staff Caregivers,
Happy November! I hope you know how thankful and grateful so many people are for you and the work you are doing. As a staff caregiver, I know that much of our work can go unnoticed or unthanked (especially if we are caring for individuals who are nonverbal). I remember the first time I worked with a verbal resident, and he thanked me for changing his brief. Before that moment, I never realized how uplifting and inspiring a thank you can be. For all my staff caregivers out there, who may not be feeling the appreciation these days – please hear me that your work matters, that while you may not hear a thank you very often (if at all), know that your care recipients are so appreciative of quality work that is raising the bar and the standard for their care.
For standing in the gap when there isn’t family, thank you. So many staff caregivers are the ones who are standing in the gap for care recipients who do not have quality relationships with their families. There is often a great deal of pain and hardship that occurs when a child has high needs, and we often see very broken families for these individuals (our heart is that Caregiver Communion can help support and build up these relationships). So many of these care recipients have been blessed with amazing staff who stand in the gap when a family may choose not to be present or maybe there just isn’t any family to be there day in and day out. To the staff who make the big moments like birthdays and holidays so special – thank you. Your kindness and work are so valuable. Even more than in the big moments, in the day-to-day moments, when there’s an extra hard or painful day, these staff caregivers are there to bring peace and comfort making the hard days more bearable. For all the hugs, jokes, and silent moments of just being present, thank you. Your care recipients are so blessed to have you in their lives.
For standing in the gap when family is involved in your care recipient’s life. It takes a village and maybe your care recipient’s family and loved ones just need some respite care every now and then, or maybe just daytime care while they’re at work, or maybe its full-time care. Not only does your work support your care recipient’s in having their best quality of life, but it also supports their family and loved ones to have a better quality of life too. For your work in the moments when family can’t be there, thank you. Thank you for the peace you provide the family and loved one’s of your care recipients and the work you do to raise the standards of care.
Another area that I want to express thankfulness for each staff caregiver is the choices, commitment, and sacrifices you make to support your care recipients. While family caregivers often do not have a choice in providing care, each day you choose to be committed and to support your care recipients. To the staff caregivers, myself and so many others are so thankful for the sacrifices you make to do your job. Maybe you’re sacrificing some income as you’re continuing to work as a caregiver when you could make more money working somewhere else (I know how much it can sting knowing McDonald’s employees often have a higher hourly wage than caregivers do). Maybe you’re sacrificing a nice schedule as oftentimes our care recipients need to be cared for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and sacrificing your weekends, your evenings, your sleep overnight, and especially your holidays. While holidays can be extremely taxing for family caregivers, they are still spending their holidays with their families. Staff caregivers on the other hand, sacrifice time with their families to ensure their care recipients are being taken care of and have the happiest holidays possible for themselves. To my staff caregivers who may be sacrificing all of these things, and then some, I want you know that your work and sacrifice does not go unnoticed.
To each of the staff caregivers out there who are committed to ensuring your care recipients have the best possible care, who are committed to raising the standard of care, and standing in the gaps with kindness and joy, thank you. While in the moment, it may feel like your work goes unnoticed or nobody is appreciative, know that there are so many people who are thankful for the work you are doing. Whether or not your care recipients can express their appreciation for the work you are doing, your work to support and uplift them is so valued. Most of all, the Lord is so proud of the quality work you are doing (“Whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” – Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:40).
Sweet staff caregivers, we are so grateful for all that you do and all that you sacrifice.
Much love,
<3 Rebecca