The first thing Carol Patterson does when she arrives at Carolyn Fernandez’s home is to go upstairs and check on Carolyn. Most of the time she brings Carolyn a cup of coffee and the two sit and chat. Carol is a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) for CVHHH, and Mrs. Fernandez is one of Carol’s clients. When it’s time, Carol urges Mrs. Fernandez to dress, helping as needed, and goes downstairs to make breakfast.
PCAs provide one-on-one non-medical care and companionship for central Vermonters at home. On any given day, they help with cooking, light housekeeping, laundry, and bathing. Their care is so important and ensures that our friends, family, and neighbors have the opportunity to stay safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. They not only help with critical activities of daily living, they also bring companionship, laughter, and friendship to the lives of people who really need it.
For the past three years, Carol has worked with Mrs. Fernandez, who is 96 and lives at home in Northfield. Carol helps with Mrs. Fernandez’s personal care—helping Carolyn shower, dress, and brush her hair, among other tasks. She also keeps up with laundry and reminds Carolyn to take her medicine. “You cannot do this job if you don’t love it,” says Carol. “And I love it.”
Carol often describes her work as routine. In fact, the impact of what Carol provides for Mrs. Fernandez is anything but routine. Carol is Mrs. Fernandez’s PCA and her friend, and the two have developed a close, trusting relationship over the past three years. With Carol’s help, Carolyn is able to continue to live safely and comfortably in her own home.
Want to Learn More? If you are looking for this type of support for someone you know, visit our Long-Term Care page.
Want to Work as a PCA? We are hiring PCAs. Click here to learn more about the position and apply on our website.