Why Home Care?

I have been a Physical Therapist for over 8 years now. I have been in various settings but Geriatrics population has been my forte. I will never go back to Pediatrics, they are very delicate to handle. Kids are cute but they annoy me. I dont have children of my own but I hope it will change.

My first job as a therapist was in an outpatient geriatric clinic in the Philippines. I love it so much. I partnered with another therapist and did homecare also. I didnt have my own transportation and gas money as a starter to travel but my parents allowed me to use their own pick up truck. I really love going to my patients home but collecting fees has been a problem so I stopped. I couldnt pay my parents for the transportation.

When I fist came to Michigan, i landed a job in the nursing home. I did part time and full time jobs in various nursing homes for about 5 years. I enjoyed every minute of it. I love listening to my patients historic story. Some of them are war veterans and they know more the war history in the Philippines more than I do. haha. I have learned struggles and the great depression of yesterday. I learned a lot from them. While working in the nursing home, I also did a part time homecare job for about 1 year before i become full time.

So, why homecare? The first thing that comes into my mind is that I can manage my own time and I am my own boss. I love to travel and listen to my favorite audio books or rock on some music on the road. Homecare patients are homebound and most of them are the older people.

The challenging role of homecare is what made me choose it. A very difficult job, not a lot of people can handle it. It takes "somebody" to do it, and that somebody should be versatile. When you're patient is "cool", you tend to be cool, too. Try to adjust yourself to fit in to their home environment. It is their home, not yours. Do not let them feel uneasy with you, make them feel you are part of the family. Once you're inside their home, be calm and courteous. Dont let them feel threatened. You're gesture should assure them that they are in good hands with you. The ultimate challenge is your own safety. Follow your instinct all the time. When you drive in to the vicinity and something is not right, leave. Most of all, make sure you have some sort of protection. I always carry myself a Michigan approved pepper spray that is attached to my key chain, purse, nurse bag, and in my car. Be safe always.