Dignity and Respect with Home Care

This article, about Dignity and Respect with Home Care, was written and contributed by Lindsay Kiefer and Kit Fredere | Visiting Angels | December, 2020

woman wearing white and multicolored floral top front of flower garden

At Visiting Angels, we want to help bridge the gap of independence. We want to partner with individuals and families to keep loved ones in their homes.

Visiting Angels exist because we believe everyone should experience being treated with dignity and respect. I was recently reminded the importance of dignity and respect when my own personal loss in independence due to some health struggles. On November 13, 2020 I had surgery. I was told the recovery time would be 4-6 weeks, I could work from home, but I must listen to my body and rest when needed. I had to allow others to help me. For an independent 46-year-old these were hard words to hear. The doctor emphasized this point. Absolutely no sweeping, no vacuuming, no lifting, no driving and no pulling.

After Surgery

After surgery I was extremely dependent on others, in ways I had not been since childhood. Simple tasks like getting a glass of water, getting up to use the restroom, and medication management all required the help of another. I felt like a burden and found it was difficult to ask for help.

Bridge the Gap of Independence

The experience has given me an intimate view of losing independence. While my loss was brief, it is a reminder of some of the struggles our clients face, loss of independence. At Visiting Angels, we want to help bridge the gap of independence. We want to partner with individuals and families to keep loved ones in their homes.

Story of Louis

One such story is of a client that we had for many years let’s call her Louis for namesake. Initially, her husband’s call was like many other calls we get inquiring into our services and asking what we do. When we heard the circumstances surrounding her hip fracture and her husband’s hope to get her home and back to her independent self, we knew we could help them in their time of need.

Choosing Home Care

Lois was an independent lady, a mother, a musician, a homemaker, and partner to her husband. However, when she returned home from rehab after her hip fracture, she was a different person. Her husband, remaining very faithful to the women she was, and who she was after her hip fracture, now chose to use our services to keep her in the home. He committed to this goal, regardless of the years of recovery and struggle they would now face with her health.

Motivation: Life is Worth Living

We were there with her on her best days when recovery seemed within grasp. On those good days, our Caregivers and Home Health PT (Physical Therapy) were able to get her walking again, going on outings, and playing music again. We were there on her hardest days too, when doing exercises seemed unattainable after the struggle of going through her morning routine. With the help of our Angels, she kept that daily routine. She kept up the motivation that life is worth living for many more years to come. Finally, after many years of recovery and struggle with our Angels alongside her she passed away in her home.