FULL TIME OVERNIGHT CAREGIVER/DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

[bright music] It's something new every day. It's never the same thing. I think people may have the idea that caregiving is like babysitting, where it's 100% not that.

No, not that one. It is working with, it's doing with, not doing for. Working with an individual on their goals.

So they have goals and we work those goals every day, and the day that it, you can see the light bulb come on and it clicks, and they've they've mastered that goal, and they can't wait to show you that they've mastered that goal, there's no feeling like that. My turn? Yep.

So when I first came to the site, one of my clients, or consumers, didn't like to do certain things, but now they do it every day without a problem, I don't have to ask. So they have achieved that goal, and when they achieve their goals, it makes you happy because now they can move up to other things that you know that they can do.

Oh, you skipped me, so it's back to you again. You know. And it's all about how you talk to your individuals and how you treat them.

I treat them like they're my own family, 'cause, you know, you have to talk to them and they're just like we are. I look for someone who listens. You and

I can have a conversation, sometimes you have to listen a little bit harder, sometimes you have to draw the individuals out to really understand. A lot of times when I come in, they know that

I'm coming. They know the days that I'm here, and they'll wake up and they'll come out and they come and talk to me, and we just have a good conversation.

And my favorite part of the job is making my consumers smile and making sure that they're okay and they have what they need. I've grown a lot, I've learned a lot, I've seen a lot, and I think it's the best thing ever.

Like, I wouldn't change my professions for anything. Every day, like I said, you just never know.

You just gotta be on your toes. You just never know what to expect. [bright music]