I have known my friend’s daughter her whole life. Even though we live a six-hour drive away, we try to visit a few times a year, at our respective homes and at various events in the surrounding areas.
This past September I was honoured to be asked by my friend to be the person responsible for her daughter when my friend was travelling. I wanted to be as prepared as possible.
The Caregiving Guide provided great insight. Even though I have known her daughter for many years, the Caregiving Guide provided me with helpful insight into her thoughts, needs, and actions. The background enabled me to better understand her daughter, and to act and respond appropriately so that she was comfortable, calm, and safe.
For example, she spends a lot of time on her own talking to herself and having conversations with imaginary people. Through the Caregiving Guide, I was able to understand that this was nothing to be concerned about and that it was her way of comforting herself and resolving problems.
When I was out with her, I knew to always have her in my sight. The Caregiving Guide detailed that she should not go out on her own since she can be trusting of strangers, if they were nice to her, and not be fully aware of possible safety concerns.
Her level of skill in various areas of personal hygiene, documented in the Caregiving Guide, helped to guide me in providing the assistance required in some areas, while stepping away and leaving her on her own in other areas.
Spending this time with her was very special. The Caregiving Guide is an essential document for anyone responsible for a special person.