God-given Caregiver - Lauren Kelly

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