By Samantha Crawford, Corporate Director of Communications, UMC
For Patience Amegbor Abra, caregiving is about more than helping someone through the routines of daily life. It is about kindness, companionship, and treating every older adult with the same dignity and respect she would want for her loved ones.
That philosophy has guided Patience throughout a career dedicated to caring for clients, including nearly a decade as a Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) with HomeWorks, UMC’s in-home care service.
“I love taking care of seniors. I care for them as I would my own mother,” Patience says. “From the day I started doing this job, I’ve loved what I do.”
Today, Patience provides 24/7 live-in care for a woman in her 90s who lives with family in Sussex County, New Jersey. They have been together for nearly three years, giving them time to develop a special bond.
Patience helps her client get ready in the morning, assists with personal care and dressing, prepares meals, and provides companionship throughout the day. They watch the news and her client’s favorite television programs together, and Patience encourages her to remain as active and independent as possible, stepping in when she needs extra support.
“I like her, and she likes me too. She’s always good to me,” Patience shares. “If I’m okay, she knows. If I’m not okay, she asks me, ‘Are you okay? Are you okay?’”
Patience’s relationships with those she cares for often last long after her time with them ends. Families have continued to stay in touch, remembering her on birthdays, sending holiday cards, and checking in. For Patience, these gestures are a testament to the lasting impact a caregiver’s compassion can have on an entire family.
“I believe it’s important to always be kind to people,” Patience says. “One day, we will all be older and will hope for the same genuine care and support.”
It is a perspective that guides Patience every day. She believes caregiving is something you choose to do, and the people who depend on you deserve your very best.
“Patience is a shining example of the love and commitment we look for in our caregivers,” says Terra Tilden, Director of HomeWorks. “The passion she brings to her work and the heartfelt relationships she builds with clients and their families reflect what caregiving is all about.”
Patience sums up her own philosophy simply: “It’s good to be good to people.”
Being a CHHA may be her profession, but caring for people comes straight from the heart.
