It Was a Tearful Goodbye for Vivian, Client
The 98-year-old Home Instead® client’s eyes glistened. It was a tearful confirmation that Home Instead CAREGiver of the Month Vivian Pammit had won over the sometimes cantankerous gentleman during her two years of assisting him. It was a sad day for Vivian too.
“For some reason, he moved to a care home last year. As I helped him pack his things, he was teary-eyed. He told me how thankful he was for all of the help and patience I gave him. For my part, it was a privilege to help him in the best way I could. Even though he moved, we still communicated. Then he passed away last February,” Vivian said.
“Like some seniors, my client was so certain about doing things and also had some trust issues with those who tried to help him. So, I always did my best to do exactly what he wanted, otherwise he might let you know in a loud tone. That was understandable because of his age and his hearing deficiency despite wearing an aid. I know how important it is to search for the clients’ good sides because that’s the only way we can build good relationships with them.”
Vivian, who has worked for nearly three years for Home Instead of Clawson, noted that assisting her client was challenging at first. “But,” she said, “I showed how I sincerely cared for him, as if he were my grandfather. After a while, I gained his trust. He then opened up and told me stories about his life, including details from his younger days and achievements, and about family members. He told me how he loved collecting bird pictures.”
Vivian added, “The client trusted me to buy groceries. He was actually a caring person. He always reminded me to be careful about my driving or to close my car windows. He remembered when my car seats got wet twice from rain because I forgot to close them.”
With Vivian, the client was benefiting from an experienced senior-care specialist. She has been in professional caregiving for nearly 15 years, including 12 years in Israel and almost three years with Home Instead, an award-winning franchise owned by Bert and Stephanie Copple.
“When I was working in Israel, I grabbed the opportunity to apply for an immigrant visa under the category of caregiver sponsored by Mr. Copple. I always will be grateful for the opportunity that Home Instead gave me,” Vivian explained.
“Professional caregivers are essential workers. I can say this because my mom back home in the Philippines suffered a stroke three years ago that left her paralyzed and bedridden. Since I’m half a world away, the only help I can give is moral and financial support.”
Vivian’s mother can’t walk or talk. “She gets frustrated most of the time, so we find someone who will love, care and attend to her needs full time and treat her just as we would ... like a family member. I understand some elderly really need constant professional care, especially if the family is not living with them. That’s the reason why I wanted to help seniors by working at Home Instead.”
When Vivian was studying at her university, she lived with her grandparents and ended up being a part-time family caregiver. “My grandpa suffered a stroke. When I was off from school, I helped my grandma take care of him with bathing, meal preparation and companionship – I listened to music with them. We shared good memories. He passed away four years later,” Vivian said.
In 2007, Vivian started work as a full-time caregiver in Israel, and it isn’t hard to see how Vivian gained valuable experience there. For 12 years, Vivian took care of a kind, 67-year-old woman, a diabetic who suffered a stroke, and was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. The stroke affected her speech, but she was able to understand.
“At first,” Vivian recalled, “it was a challenge for me to communicate with her because she couldn’t explain what she wanted. In time, I learned to communicate with her by studying her hand gestures, facial expressions and the tone of her voice.”
The client always wanted Vivian to stay with her if her family came to visit because Vivian understood her better than they did. Referring to the client’s family, Vivian said: “They treated me as if I were one of their own family members. That lifted my spirits and even more fortified my patience, love, understanding and strength to care for her. It was sad when we parted ways, because it was a big adjustment for both of us.”
Asked what she savors most about being a Home Instead CAREGiver, Vivian said: “I like taking care of someone with compassion, love and understanding. Companionship is not just a part of my job; it motivates me to do my best in helping others without expecting anything in return.”
All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (248) 220-3009 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
