After six years of caring for his wife, Joyce, Carlos Lucido is rediscovering joy and peace thanks to ComForCare Home Care.
“It’s been a great change,” Carlos said.
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| Listen to Carlos share his story. |
During the start of care, Edwin Villarreal, owner of ComForCare - Irving, gathers information about a client’s hobbies, preferences and background to engage with clients. For Joyce, that means putting together puzzles, coloring, looking at old family photos and sharing stories from times past.
“Keep them engaged with things they enjoy, not taking over their lives but actually helping them, being an instrument to continue living the life that they want to live,” Edwin said.Carlos said he saw right away the care, love and sincerity shown to his wife from the caregivers.“I took pictures to show the kids how well they [Joyce and her caregiver] were getting along, but it just clicked — it was like magic,” Carlos said.
On Jan. 1, 2017, Carlos decided he needed help taking care of Joyce. Caregiving was taking a toll on his physical and mental health as well as his career.
“I rose the white flag, if you will, to the grandkids and the kids and said, ‘You know, I can’t do this by myself anymore. I need help.’” Carlos said.
Previously, he had used a different home care company, but Carlos wasn’t satisfied with the quality of the caregivers. Following a family meeting with Carlos and Joyce’s children, he contacted Joyce’s adult day care center, Friends Place, for a recommendation. The center suggested ComForCare to him and his family.
“It’s just been such a tremendous experience for everybody — definitely a success story for us and ComForCare and for the Lucido family.” Edwin said.
The most noticeable change Carlos has noticed in Joyce is she’s more at ease and less agitated during the evenings after she has completed her daily one-on-one Meaningful Activities with her caregiver. With her doctor’s assistance, they were able to cut back on medications prescribed to help Joyce relax.
ComForCare has improved Carlos’ outlook on his own life as well. While Edwin’s caregivers interact with and care for Joyce, Carlos is able to see his friends, be successful at work, do household chores, help out his father and relax.
“You know, I actually have a life after about six years of doing this, it’s taken a toll on my body. I’m actually able to get massages and do things needed to take care of the caretaker. It’s been amazing,” Carlos said.
Knowing that Joyce is safe and happy with the caregivers is the biggest benefit of ComForCare’s services, according to Carlos.
“She sits there about 15 minutes before Yvette comes in the morning (or whoever is coming but mainly Yvette) and waits for her at the back door and opens the door for her and hugs her, so that’s huge. Thank you,” Carlos said.