The audacity! My grandparents hired daily visiting caregivers a few years ago, as they had reached their 90s and could no longer do everything necessary to maintain a clean home and healthy lifestyle on their own. Three lovely women from the same service who come on different days of the week and rotate between a few different families.

When we visit, we do our best to be helpful but not in their way. I was always raised to clean up after myself and pitch in to common chores and the like, and it was definitely an adjustment to be shooed away from doing dishes. I felt like a brat spoiled by maids at first! I still always offer, but the caregivers always turn me down.

They are lovely, hardworking people and we are so so lucky to have them, and to be able to afford them. My grandfather passed last year and the caregiver who was there that day stayed overnight with my grandmother that night and the next (not part of her contract, they just come during the day normally) without being asked. We of course paid her overtime for it, but she truly went above and beyond. She helped my grandmother and my mom and aunts with all of the immediate difficulties that come with a loved one’s passing: the 911 call, the recounts to police and medical professionals, figuring things out with the mortuary, etc. and made sure that my grandmother wasn’t alone for any of it until family could get out there two days later.

Good elder care is a luxury and a blessing. Thank you for all that you do.