Every day, Keona Marshall drops her two young children off at school, and then heads to work. But most days, it doesn’t really feel like work. First she checks in with her client, then she lets the dog Chloe out while she gets the morning medications ready. They fix a breakfast of sausage and eggs, then watch a little of the news. “It’s the same routine every morning, which is really nice for my client,” Keona says. “Having a schedule that she can depend on helps her feel more comfortable and have less anxiety.”
The repetitive pattern of the day to day doesn’t last long. Once she’s up and dressed, Keona’s client likes to be on the go. “She loves to go out to lunch and get out,” Keona says. “This year, through the pandemic, we couldn’t really go in places, but we’d still drive around and tour the city. She likes to drive by her old house on Old Walkertown Road. It really doesn’t matter where we go, she just likes to get out of the house.”
She also likes the companionship. Keona’s client suffers from Alzheimer’s and dementia, and while at this point she’s still able to do a lot of things on her own, like dress herself and do activities, having Keona around is important for her mental health. Research has shown that loneliness and isolation can increase a person’s risk for developing dementia. “Just having someone around, and someone to talk to, is really good for her,” Keona says. “She worked for years in the hotel industry, and is used to being around people and having a social life. Being able to still do that to some extent, and not be totally alone, is helpful to keep her disease from progressing.”
Keona began her career as a CNA when she was just 20 years old. She had seen her great grandmother in a nursing home where she wasn’t treated well, and Keona vowed to do better for others. About six years ago she started working with Piedmont Home Care, and her knowledge and experience is an asset to the company, not just for her current client but for all the people Keona has been able to help through the years. “It gives me more confidence being in a client’s home to know I have the CNA training and can help them if something happens,” Keona says. Her training allows her to do a little more for the client, and feel comfortable communicating with the family.
If someone you love is in need of companionship, care or assistance in order to live independently in their own home, contact Piedmont Home Care for more information about the resources our company provides. Caregivers like Keona provide excellent care, but even more than that, grow relationships that enrich the lives of everyone involved.