My name is Carol Wall and I am one of the Home Care aides with the county. I am writing and asking that you please reconsider your decision to terminate our Home Care department. I am, I guess you would say, the low man on the totem pole as I have only worked for the county for a little more than two years. But I can tell you that I have put my heart and soul into serving our clients as have all the aides.
I have taken great pride in serving the elderly of Jasper County. Many of our clients have been served by the same aide for many years and look upon us as family.
Yes, there are other agencies out there, but many of these are out of town staff. They have high turnover rates and constantly changing schedules. I do not believe that they develop the kind of relationships with the clients as we do.
Our department takes a personal interest in our clients as we send out birthday cards to each one and give Christmas gifts to those who have no families. We grieve for each client that we lose. I believe we provide so much more than cleaning or personal cares. Our clients look forward to seeing us each week. Sometimes we are the only ones they have to talk to. Many times, I have been told “I look forward to seeing you every week.”
I have sat and held hands with a client who knew his time of passing was coming soon. Our coming into the home every week is also a way for making sure that our clients are safe and doing well. Again, we go way beyond just cleaning for them.
Will other out of town agencies provide all of this? I do not believe so. They have nothing invested like we do. I am only telling my own story but if you were to speak to any of the other four aides, they could tell you many more stories.
I realize this a financial decision, but in times such as we are living in now, can we afford to take this service away from our elderly? We have already reduced the number of aides we have employed and we are also willingly working a 4-day week. Please reconsider this decision and work with us to find an alternative solution.
If you feel that our Home Care department should be saved, please contact our county supervisors.
Carol Wall
Newton
