Several months after the passing of Sibyl Staples, my mother, Verta Ingbretsen, suffered injuries from her third fall,
more debilitating than the first two, all of which she recovered from with
courage and grace.
I spoke at the funeral service for
Sybil. This was a celebration as it was remembrance of a wonderful woman who
had traveled around the sun 104 times.
This is relevant as we inherited
(so-to-speak), among two wonderful and dedicated women, Lauren Kelly, from our
relationship with Sibyl and her daughter, Charmelle – friend and family.
Lauren became our primary caregiver
for my mother as suffering from two broken knee caps, beyond the initial and
exhausting in-home rehab, required additional care. As resilient, wonderful and
of-good-spirit as my mother was, the last thing she wanted and we wanted was to
have her leave her home, her environment, her comfort. (I could write a book on
this.)
Before I go further, at my mother’s
funeral, when I discovered Lauren was not sitting with the family, I
immediately invited her to sit with us. She is family.
Lauren has over 18 years of experience
in caregiving – a fact I only had asked her of recently, because, only after a
few weeks of seeing her with Mom, I truly didn’t care about her experience or
credentials. She came highly recommended and I knew why.
Having gone through so many physical
therapy and occupational therapy visits myself with Mom, I began to realize being a quality caregiver by trade can be very dynamic; requiring much aptitude, an open mind
and many adjustments.
Lauren possesses these skills and the
heart to perform these tasks, all the while creating some sense of routine and
normalcy. Her knowledge of physical conditions and medications is vast, but
exploratory and thoughtful when needed, not emphatic. She thinks and observes.
She was very open to Mom’s current interests
as well as those new ones which would come from a woman who took interest in most
anything she saw beauty or virtue in.
Lauren performed exercises with my
mother, cooked for her, cared for minor physical conditions, bathed her and
helped with her beauty when need be. Mom never seemed vain, but she always had
an “I’m ready for the day” look up until her last days.
Beyond this, they chatted, chatted
about most anything...peas and carrots, they became.
After Mom’s last fall, which led to
her demise, Lauren was by her side as much as the hospitals (Another story)
would allow.
I know this has been lengthy, but
rightfully so, as I am promoting a gift our family, my mother, received from
God.
I can’t tell you how at ease I felt
knowing Lauren was caring for Mom.
Oddly enough, Lauren experienced an
extremely traumatic event just two days before Mom passed. It was horrific.
I’ve tried to say in touch with Lauren during
her recovery and the one take away, not the only, is, “I’m ready to get back to
work.” She loves what she does.
So, if you need in-home care for a
loved one, I highly recommend Lauren.
If you need any other information from
me, please call me at 803-553-5757.
If not, please contact:
Lauren Kelly 803-729-5152
