www.ohca.com SPRING/SUMMER 2023 The Oregon Caregiver 7 FEATURE CONTINUES » term care can be both challenging and rewarding for these workers, as they navigate the complexities of caring for individuals with various physical and mental health conditions as well as the ever-changing regulation landscape. Despite the many challenges they may face, they often find fulfillment in their work, knowing that they are making a positive impact on the lives of those in their care. To understand just a sliver of what some long term care professionals experience on a daily basis, we’ve collected some “day in the life” stories from individuals in Oregon’s long term care communities. A Day in the Life of a Caregiver For Nohemi Flores Sanchez, caregiving is a calling. After spending 17 years working in the technology space, she left her job at Intel to embark on a career that would make a bigger impact on peoples’ lives. Having grown up in a multi-generational home, Sanchez says caregiving is a cultural value that Latine families like hers hold dear. She knew becoming a caregiver would give her the purpose she had been seeking in her professional life. She earned her CNA certificate and spent the next eight years as a caregiver, working one-on-one with clients in their homes as well as in different long term care communities. She currently works as a rapid response care practitioner for Home Instead, serving in Columbia, Yamhill, and Washington counties. “I love what I do. You get to know people on a really personal level,” she said. Morning On a typical day, Sanchez provides care for on average of three people and she starts her workday at 8 a.m. Prior to arriving to her client’s home, Sanchez reads their individual care plan thoroughly and examines what tasks to perform. Once she arrives at a client’s home, if they are mobile and audible, she discusses what they would like to do for the day. They then prepare breakfast together and follow their routine. If a client is bed-bound, she will take care of certain tasks like emptying their catheter bag. Afternoon Once the afternoon rolls around, it’s time for lunch. Some clients may get Meals on Wheels deliveries while others prefer homecooked meals. Sanchez helps get her clients in the seat where they like to eat, cuts their food into smaller pieces, and helps feed them if needed. Sanchez says she goes into the lunch period with patience and takes things slowly. After lunch, some of her clients take naps or go on a walk outside. If there aren’t any errands or appointments, she tries to keep them active and engaged in activities, including playing games, watching television, or reading books. Evening Sanchez usually wraps up her day around 5 p.m., and on the rare occasions that she has to work late, she makes sure her clients have their medication and dinner ready. She also draws them baths and gets them ready for bed, making sure they feel safe when they fall asleep. She loves her job so much that sometimes on her days off, she goes in to socialize with her favorite clients who she has fondly coined her “grandmas” and “grandpas.” At the end of the day, Sanchez knows helping with small tasks means a great deal to her clients. She knows her clients need encouragement and companionship, something the COVID-19 pandemic robbed them of for years. She knows her clients need a reason to keep going and she wants to be the one cheering them on every day. “I can sleep better at night knowing I made a difference—no matter how insignificant it may seem—in someone’s day,” said Sanchez. Each day has its own challenges. Clients may feel uneasy having a stranger come into their homes, but once they get to know the caregiver, Sanchez says the best part is hearing their stories and getting a glimpse of their younger lives. “I like talking to my clients, if they can speak, to hear their life stories. They tell me stories of who they married, how they met, what they did growing up, and what their childhood was like,” she said. “I love hearing stories and looking at photo albums and their art. It’s amazing what you learn.” A Day in the Life of a Cook Dining plays a crucial role in forging bonds and creating special memories. For many long term care residents, mealtimes are the best part of their day. Community cooks like Austin Comer understand the important role they play in the residents’ lives. Comer grew up cooking with his grandfather, experimenting with recipes, and preparing meals for his grandmother. His curiosity in the kitchen carried into his adulthood as he started working at Taco Bell, quickly becoming the assistant manager. His need to get back in the kitchen and make a bigger impact on someone’s day, other than training employees and creating schedules, landed him a job as a cook at The Springs at Mill Creek in The Dalles. Comer shares his daily routine as a cook in long term care. Morning Comer starts his days as early as 6:30 a.m., prepping entrée specials and other meals for the day. Once he and his fellow cooks get through the morning rush, they prep for the busiest time of the day: lunch. “I can sleep better at night knowing I made a difference—no matter how insignificant it may seem—in someone’s day.” – Nohemi Flores Sanchez, caregiver, Home Instead
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