KUDOS From Kelly ~
Our Everyday Heros

By Kelly McNamara

Alyssa Pinche: When Kim and I decided upon Alyssa as our Kudos caregiver for December, I needed to take a second look at our caregiver roster to double check her hire date.

Much to my surprise, she has been with us a mere three months!

In that short time, she has created a mutually respectful, harmonious and enjoyable relationship with her client, a mature, pleasant, outdoorsy, dog loving, accomplished horsewoman in need of some supervision and assistance but more importantly, genuine companionship.

Many of our clients come to us in need of a great deal of physical care, with attendant medical issues requiring monitoring in order to remain in the comfort of their homes. This special client RW had no such serious needs. As her caregiver, Alyssa was ever watchful of any signs of decline or minor changes in skin, ambulation, fluid intake etc. as with any client of her age.

But RW is remarkably well physically, taking her adorable small dog Emmitt, for regular walks around the horse farm where she lives along with her son EW.

While listening to Alyssa regale her client’s son and me with tales of their drives, lively conversations and plans for activities once the much detested “lock down” ended, it occurred to me that we often do not give the art of true companionship the attention and credit it deserves. As Alyssa described their walks, and drives, it was easy to see how easily these two very different women forged a mutually respectful bond, and ease in each other’s presence, a comfort level one might usually expect to see in old friends.

These two special women, decades apart in age, having grown up with widely divergent experiences now managed to forge a mutually beneficial and supportive relationship.

At its simplest, these two special women sincerely CARE about each other in a unique and mutually beneficial manner. At a time when we worry about elderly people and the terrible impact of loneliness as serious as any physical decline , RW is fortunate in having a loving son nearby and now, a special friend with whom to share her life experiences, who in turn will insure she remains at her healthiest.

When Alyssa is preparing to leave her client at the end of her shift, RW asks that she please call her when she arrives home safely. And of course, she complies. She wants to spare her client any worry.

Thanks, Alyssa for reminding us all of the wondrous gift of genuine companionship!

All caregivers mentioned in this column will receive a bonus and our sincere gratitude! Many thanks to all of you for once again extending yourselves to ensure that we are of course Always There…!! ■