#143 - CR

This person is really not included for what she did individually, but for what she does as a job.  She was one of the sitters that my family hired to take care of both of my grandfathers when they became to much for us to handle on our own. 

Whenever someone dies suddenly, it is always very sad and grief is very difficult.  The opposite is not any better.  Watching your loved ones slowly, progressively slip away is not any easier to take.  Thankfully, there are people who are dedicated to helping families with this process.

One sad reality of nursing homes is that the staff at most of them are underpaid and do not perform quality work.  I know I am generalizing and their are exceptions to this rule, but I have worked in enough homes and have observed enough injustices to be able to make that statement.  The second reality is that often when our loves ones get sick, the family cannot take care of them without help.  Sitters can be hired to help out.  It is not cheap.  It is not easy to have someone who is not family in your home.  Oftentimes the sitters do not show up or come with extra family and all their assorted problems.  It is still a better solution than a nursing home. (in my opinion)

Just to have someone to sit watch so the primary caregiver can take a shower or go to church is helpful.  The really good ones do it just like you would.  They treat their "patient" like it would be their own parent.  These are the gems and we were lucky to find several ladies that fit this description.  They helped make an extremely difficult time a little easier and I am grateful.