Congratulations! You are now a full-time caregiver! You started as a volunteer role, but because you consistently showed up with a smile on your face, and put in your best effort, you landed the job! I will also note that for some reason, all other candidates have withdrawn their interest. Here are a few details about the position. The hours are pretty much 24 hours, 7 days a week either “in person,” or “on call”. Duties include, but are not limited to, cleaning, cooking, transportation, bathing, dressing, laundry, medication management, scheduling physician appointments, taking notes at appointments, decorating and hosting all major holidays, answering various questions, entertainment, pet care, first aid, paying bills, insurance and legal concerns, cognitive brain health exercises, physical exercise, safety patrol, & spiritual and emotional support. You will need your own car and should be able to demonstrate that you can multi-task, plan ahead, and anticipate change.
The responsibilities of this position will take priority. Please go ahead and let your current employer, family, and friends know that you will be unavailable for any personal and social time for quite a while. Finally, we come to compensation. Unfortunately, the position does not pay well, actually, there is no salary. There is no PTO or paid holidays; however, you will be expected to be on call for them. We are including free onboarding and training below. These are crucial truths about your job and manager. If at all possible, commit them to memory. We are glad to have you onboard. Remember, you are not alone. Many have taken on this role, and we will be sure to connect you with a local group of caregivers to share in your experiences.
Finally, we are here to answer any of your questions and provide you with all the resources to help you on your new caregiving endeavor. You are not alone.
Scriptures for Caregivers:
1. When There’s No End in Sight: Give me neither poverty nor riches but give me only my daily bread. – Proverbs 30:8b (NIV)
2. When You Feel Far from God: The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. – Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
3. When You Have to Cause Pain: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. – Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
4. When You Need Someone to Comfort You: I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies… The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer. – Psalm 6:6-7, 9 (NLT)
5. When You Want a Moment to Yourself: Yet the news about [Jesus] spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. – Luke 5:15-16 (NIV)
6. When Your Care Recipient Does Not Act Like Himself: Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not consider a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. – I Corinthians 13:4-7 (AMP)
7. When Your Care Recipient Is in Pain: Now may always the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all. – II Thessalonians 3:16 (AMP)
8. When You are Needed Somewhere Else: I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. – Psalm 121:1-4 (NIV)
9. When You are Too Busy to Take Care of Yourself: You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. – Philippians 4:19 (MSG)
10. When You’ve Lost Your Identity: O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I am far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. – Psalm 139:1-5 (NLT)
Amy Hentschel, Owner/Senior Care Advisor – Senior Provisions – www.seniorprovisions.com
