TLCHomecare

I became a caregiver out of necessity when my husband died, and I had to sell our business.  I needed to find a job to supplement the social security benefit I was getting as a widow with two young children. I had been driving a bus for the local school as a little side job. A job that was thrust upon me because of the need. It seems good bus drivers are hard to get and hard to keep. Without any formal education and not having the time to go back to school, I took the LNA course offered by the local nursing home. In six weeks, I was trained and hired by the nursing home. The flexible hours allowed me to be home with my kids during the day and still drive the bus. I worked there for six months, but their schedule interfered with my school bus schedule, so I left the nursing home and went private. Being bilingual in French and English gave me an advantage in the Northeast Kingdom where the population largely constitutes French-speakers. After a while, I realized that there was more...

When did I determine that caring for others in the nursing profession was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life? Between birth and elementary school age, I required several surgeries at two large hospitals. It was here, between the ages of four and nine that I watched the nurses do their everyday work. As a child, I was excited by the human body, and realized that I had a love for the health care profession. I was given the opportunity to do some community service in ninth grade. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a candy striper in a rehabilitation facility. I remember my first day at the center dressed from head to toe in a red and white candy striper uniform. I remember sitting on the edge of Maggie’s bed and despite her glass eye that wandered around, was focused on her detailed stories of her past. I was captivated. She would share with me how happy she was to see me every week and I felt incredibly special. I felt like I was doing something good with my life, and I fe...

Caregivers are one of the most important aspects of in-home care as they interact with the clients on a daily basis and ensure that the clients are well taken care of. As important as it is to have qualified, caring and experienced caregivers in Vermont and New Hampshire at TLC Homecare; it is just as important finding the correct caregiver for each home care client. Home healthcare is all about keeping clients in a safe and comfortable environment as they age and the caregivers have everything to do with this. But just because a caregiver has years of experience, it does not mean their personality or skill set will match that of the home care client they are working with. It is my job to play “match-maker” to ensure the client, client’s family and caregiver are all happy with the home health aide. The process of choosing the correct caregiver for a home care client starts the minute that new client comes on board with TLC Homecare. As soon as they choose TLC Homecare as their in-home ...

By Wendy Bombard BSN RN Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death in Vermont and one out of three seniors’ struggles with this disease (Alzheimer’s Association). Families are burdened with caring for their loved ones suffering with memory impairment, and many of these families are also raising young families of their own while also trying to hold down jobs. These circumstances present significant challenges and stress for families, and so it is imperative that they are able to vent these frustrations, express concerns, and ask questions at a venue where others will understand and identify with their plight. As a dementia support group leader of several years, it is sobering to witness participants listening to each other describe their day to day, week to week struggles. However, despite the sadness and grieving that can occur during TLC HomeCare & Nursing’s support group meetings, it offers them freedom to share their struggles without fear or disinterest, and many...