Caregiver Spotlight: A special Q&A with Caregivers in San Diego!

The heart of Qualicare’s in-home healthcare and senior care franchises is in the day-to-day work of our fabulous caregivers! Caregivers, from home health aides to nursing professionals, provide the skills, patience, love, and joy that our clients ask for over and over again.

Today, we’re spotlighting two top-notch caregivers located at Qualicare San Diego – Jasmine  Gomez, a home care aid working with seniors for nearly 4 years, and Larry Carl – a caregiver for over 3 years. From sharing the personal qualities required for superb caregiving to telling stories of how clients impacted their lives, Jasmine and Larry provide fabulous insights into the rewarding career of caregiving.

What led you to working as a caregiver at Qualicare?

Jasmine Gomez: I have been around seniors since I was 12 years old when I came to the senior care facility where my mom worked. I would sit with the seniors, and they would tell me they wished I worked there! So, I worked first as a server in the dining room, and then as a caregiver and a med tech. I was also my grandparents’ caretaker for 3 years. I had heard about one-on-one care, so I looked online and found Qualicare.

Larry Carl: This is my second career, I was in antique and estate jewelry for 30 years, and I had a store for 15 years. I closed the store a few years ago, took some time off, then got involved with caregiving. I’ve worked with seniors most of my life, and they’re people I’m familiar with. I’m kind of a senior myself these days and I think sometimes my clients feel because I have gray hair that I can relate to them! I was a caregiver for my parents, and then I also was a caregiver for two ex-girlfriends. So, when Qualicare came about, it seemed like a good fit.

How do you help clients feel comfortable with in-home caregiving?

Jasmine Gomez:  First, I am passionate, loving, and caring, so when I first meet the clients, we like to sit down and get to know each other. I let the clients know that I’ve been doing this job for many years. I make sure they know I’m reliable, I’m responsible, and I will listen to all of my clients’ needs. I work at my clients’ pace for them to be more comfortable, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their safety and mine.

How has your relationship with clients made an impact on your life?

Larry Carl: A while back I had a client who gave me a good perspective on life. Qualicare works with a company called PACE which helps high-risk seniors. This client had a business, then fell down on his luck. He was living in a warehouse basically – a 10×10 apartment. He was wheelchair-bound, and he slept on the sofa. I would visit him, cook for him, and make sure his place was clean. In the jewelry business in my first career, you saw a lot of wealth. But wealth isn’t always equated to happiness, and he was a prime example of that. He just loved life.

There was another more recent example – I have worked with a number of hospice patients and had one who recently passed at 99 years old. Working with hospice patients and their families teaches you about life. We’re here for such a finite amount of time and you never know what’s going to happen. You’ve got to dance every day – that’s the name of the game.

What personal qualities make a great caregiver?

Jasmine Gomez: There are four main qualities you’ve got to have. First, patience! Many people can’t do simple tasks, like brushing their teeth. Something so easy for us can be so difficult for them, like putting a shoe on or a belt. If they’re going at a slow pace, just go with them, don’t rush. Second, you have to have compassion and empathy. Third, you have to have a good sense of humor. There’re a lot of hard situations you’re going to be thrown into. You have to be able to find something to laugh about! And last, presence. You have to be able to be present in the moment with the client.

Larry Carl: A positive outlook on life and a really good attitude. I’m lucky because I surf. I try to bring that surfer attitude to clients because most of the time these people are not going outside. What they see is what you bring into them. And you have to keep your eyes fresh. When we walk into a new situation every time, we have to make sure to observe what has changed. Often everything looks static, but it isn’t – it’s a routine caregivers need to have. Also, you want to bring a bubble of safety. You don’t want to overwhelm clients, but you do want to protect them. And it’s important to take care of yourself. Caregiving can be a hard job. You have to have self-care routines.

What advice would you give to a prospective client considering in-home care?

Jasmine Gomez: In-home care allows a client to focus on their emotional, physical, and sometimes even spiritual care. They receive the comfort, expertise, and empathetic care that they deserve as human beings –the elderly, they especially deserve this in their twilight years. With in-home care, they have the control to choose their support providers, and they can stay at home and be surrounded by people they love while receiving care at the same time.

In what ways does Qualicare support your career?

Larry Carl: Qualicare as a company is really supportive. When I have questions, they are there 24/7. I’ve worked with other agencies and Qualicare has the best system in place, in terms of the whole care plan. They’re also a great company, I ran a company for 15 years, so I understand that aspect of running a business.