Tacoma caregiver, Delores Moore, describes herself as a “happy camper. What can I say,” she says, “I just love caregiving and I love my clients. I’ve worked for Family Resource for 7 ½ years, and other than getting a little tired now and then, I’m just very happy. I’ve been very fortunate with my clients,” Delores continues. “Sometimes I’ll be asked if I prefer to work with men or women and I’ll just say, it doesn’t matter to me. Every client is different and my job is to adjust myself to whatever they need. I take the time to get to know them, one client at a time.”
Delores works 2-4 hour shifts and typically sees 2-3 clients per day. She enjoys doing special things for her clients and feels fortunate to have been with some of them for up to 3 years. “I’ve always loved taking care of older people,” she says. “I took care of my father, my mother-in-law, and even friends of my in-laws. I also took care of my husband until he passed away from cancer. Years ago someone said to me, ‘Delores, you just like to wait on people,’ and I said, I do. I really like to take care of people.”
When asked what she thinks makes a good caregiver, Delores responded, “patience; that’s the first thing you need. Being a caregiver means also being a housekeeper, a cook, and a companion. I always try to notice what is going on with my clients. When they want to talk I will stop whatever chores I am doing so I can listen to them. It’s almost like we become friends, though sometimes you can become a little too close. But when you are with someone nearly every day, I don’t know how you can’t get attached. I care about my clients and every one of my client’s families have treated me so well – like family. Even after a client has passed away, some will call just to see how I am doing and to let me know how much they appreciated what I did for their family member.”
Delores not only loves her clients, she also says she loves working for Family Resource Home Care. “I love the company I work for. I just love Maria, Dorene, and Ashlyn. They treat all the caregivers so well. If I have a problem or need to discuss something I can call the office and someone will always take time to speak with me. They are helpful and treat everyone equally.” In closing, Delores says, “wherever I go I tell people about Family Resource. It’s such a nice place to work. I’m just so happy and feel very, very lucky.”
