Stories from Caregivers: Grace from CALIFORNIA
CA
Grace
FROM CALIFORNIA
Caregiver My name is Grace Estrada and I have the pleasure of being the caregiver and social worker for my elderly mother for about 8 years. Finding myself in the sandwich generation I decided to find a way to care for my young children and my mother who is in need of (IADL's) Individual activities of daily life. I have been for years finding myself to be many roles for my folks due to language barrier and low level of education. I remember as a child translating for my father at the grocery stores and for my mother at the doctor's office. As a caregiver I have found to be an advocate who always makes sure that my clients get their needs met. I recently advocated for a client who was getting over charge on a bill for cable television. Another incident one of my clients received an outstanding balance from an ambulance service when she once called 911. I immediately telephone the billing department of that particular agency and it was taken care of. As a caregiver educating the recipient and family has been part of daily living. This includes on how they can deal with the physical, social, and psychological challenges of aging. Also on the issues related to mobility, speech, learning, and preparing meals. I serve as liaison with outside providers for recipients to receive dental services, eye exams, and DMV services. Do lots of traveling with recipient to all doctors' appointment (Physical, occupational therapy, Neurologist and primary care physician). Translate mail and correspondence from English to Spanish. I represent and speak on behalf of recipient with health care decisions and medications prescribed by their physicians which at times are not covered by the health care insurance. Therefore, primary care physician and pharmacist must come together to make changes and assigns recipients a generic form of medication that would be free of charge or at low cost. Caregiving has its challenges however it is very rewarding when my clients look at me and smile and say thank you. At the end of the day when I get home I reminisce on how my day went and I get a good feeling inside knowing that I was able to assist an individual who is not capable of making it on their own. My father passed away almost two years ago. he died to leukemia, however, every time I help someone I always think of dad and how my father would have been happy and proud of me through making people smile.
