"In home care, each day is different; I meet different and interesting people…. Never boring! In home care we (the Health Care Aids's) are the bridges, we connect our clients with the outside world. It's funny, my clients can see outside, yet they always ask me what the weather's like, sometimes I'll bring a ball of snow into their homes just so they can touch it again. My client's don't like holidays because we don't come. In home care I get to create relationships, learn and see people's hobbies, and keep people safe! I never treat them like "sick" people."

Tad, Health Care Aide, Edmonton, Alberta, 11 years with CBI Home Health.

 

"I am a mother, and I began my career in health care prior to my marriage to my husband and to the birth of my children. I can always remember my first day working as a Health Care Aide in home care. I went out to a farm. I was so worried about finding the place, and when I arrived, to my horror, the driveway was full of mud! I didn't know how I was going to get my car through that driveway. Somehow, my car pulled through, and there to greet me was my client who had just poured me a warm cup of coffee. When I left her house, I felt a sense of self-satisfaction, like ‘wow', I did it; I found the house, and got a chance to help make someone's life easier! This experience confirmed that home care was, and still is a great fit for me; it offers a flexible schedule, a variety of duties, opportunities to increase my skill set, and I get to help people stay home!"

Dorothy, Health Care Aide, Red Deer, Alberta, 6 years with CBI Home Health.

 

"My clients are always saying ‘thank you for not turning my home into a hospital!' They want the wheelchair put behind their couch, commode in the shower, and medication in the drawer; anything not to remind them of their ailments. I am a Health Care Aide who does not wear scrubs, my work setting is cheerful and relaxed (as much as possible). Both the clients and I enjoy the one-on-one time, we can always get our work done and if need be, a registered nurse is just a phone call away. What I enjoy the most about home care is seeing people in their everyday setting; eating what they choose, keeping up with their hobbies, laughing and staying home with their families and friends. People always ask me about the amount of driving involved and if I like that part of the job, honestly I don't mind it one bit, as I drive from client to client I re-group, think about what I learned or experienced and then clear my mind so that I am totally focused on the next client. Home care is great for me because you get to meet a variety of interesting and inspiring individuals; you pick your shifts, and still have time to enjoy your interests."

Mel, Health Care Aide, Calgary, Alberta, 7 years with CBI Home Health