Northeast Iowa Caregivers Share Stories of Direct Care Compassion on New Webpage

Iowa CareGivers just launched a new landing page on their website to collect and share stories from Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Home Care and Hospice Aides (HCAs), Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and other direct care workers as well as family caregivers. Caregiver Stories 

At least three caregivers in northeast Iowa have joined in sharing caregiver stories to increase awareness about the key role direct care workers and family caregivers play in ensuring Iowans of all ages and abilities in rural and urban communities have access to the care and support they need. 

Elisabeth Buck, Chair, Iowa CareGivers Board of Directors, says, “Most people have no idea who direct care workers are until they need one to provide care and support for a loved one or themselves. The vital work they do helps older Iowans and people with disabilities to live independently, reducing the likelihood for institutional care. They also provide backup for family caregivers who are still employed and can’t be there for mom, grandpa, or a child with special needs 24/7.”

Buck adds, “They provide the lion’s share of care to loved ones, friends, and neighbors. That number is believed to be far greater because people may not identify as being a family caregiver. “They often don’t view taking a parent to doctor appointments, mowing their lawn, preparing meals, managing medications, or assisting with personal hygiene as family caregiver tasks… but they are. Family caregivers are clearly supplementing the healthcare workforce and deserve to be supported.”

Stories on the website include Cindy Ramer, a certified nursing assistant in Denver, who says, “I was assisting a resident to prepare to go to the hospital due to testing…she had cancer. A newer staff member assisting me stated, ‘I can tell how much you care.’  It made me feel good she recognized that I loved caregiving.”

Emily Falck is a home health and hospice aid in Decorah says, “My long-term home health patient went to Hospice patient care. Gaining her love and trust, years before her final days, was key to our relationship as patient/caregiver, which turned into more of a family/friend relationship. It’s neat to still have an amazing relationship with her family to this day. She was my cheerleader through my pregnancies and was a part of planning my wedding day.  She was truly family.”

Derek Smith works as a direct support professional in Oelwein: “I strive, on a daily basis, to make an impact on others’ lives. Seeing the individuals succeed on their goals and become more independent and successful is why I continue to do what I do.”

Fran Mancl, Certified Nursing Assistant and Direct Support Professional, who worked in the field for 32 years before retiring in 2021 due to burnout brought on by the pandemic, said, “I hope direct care workers and family caregivers will submit their personal stories on the Iowa CareGivers’ website so we can educate Iowans about who we are and what we do. Our stories will put a face on our compassion and celebrate the value of the direct care we provide.”

In addition to the estimated 40-65,000 direct care workers, there are 330,000 unpaid family caregivers in Iowa according to AARP Iowa.