It takes a special kind of individual to care for an elderly person.
Kendra Guiterrez was just a few years out of high school when she was told that she needed to fly to Mexico City to care for her grandfather. She went willingly.
Her grandfather, age 77, had enjoyed going on long walks, and at that time was healthy enough to do so.
As happens to the elderly, one day he fell, hit his head, and suffered from serious swelling. He was admitted to the hospital for surgery. After the operation, however, he suffered memory loss.
“He just didn’t know what was going on,” Kendra recalled.
Kendra, along with two aunts who were nurses, took turns watching her grandfather in the hospital. The three of them also helped out taking care of him at home, to where he returned.
Although the trip lasted only about a week, that experience paved the way for a career as a caregiver, and then as a business development manager at FirstLight Home Care in Libertyville.
Kendra has a bubbly personality and brings it to work.
“When I carry out an intake for a new client, the family sometimes asks me if I can be their caregiver.”
So, the next time your rehab or hospital patient recovers from hip surgery, a heart stent, brain surgery, or something similar, think of Kendra and the team of caregivers at FirstLight of Deerfield/Lake Forest.
Kendra will make sure your patient is compassionately and professionally cared for.