Caring isn’t the only function we perform, we are also therapists to family members …..

It only occurred to me recently that we are so much more than carers for our clients. It was the son of my recent client that pointed this out to me. We are also therapists for the family.

As my client was approaching end of life, the three sons came to visit from overseas in unison. Each stayed for about a week.

Suddenly I was listening to stories of the one’s childhood right through to his twenties plus tours of the surrounding area telling me stories all the way, not realising at the time that this was his way of coping with the present situation.

The next one said how different his life could have been if ……. and I just needed to confirm that his life was meant to happen exactly as it had.

The third one took me the long way around to the farm shops so that he could show me how big their farm used to be and memories of helping to herd the cattle and help their dad out on the farm. It was also great for me because I was beginning to see the bigger picture of this amazing family. I met grandchildren who also had wonderful stories to tell. It’s so difficult not to get involved with all these people especially as we have been given the honour and trust to be with their parent right to the end.

I was the lucky one here as they all seemed to accept me as one of them from the word go.

I’m sure quite a few of you have become quite involved with the families you’ve been with, also giving advice to various members which has nothing to do with the booking or client you’re with.

We also need to listen to the neighbour’s stories when they come to visit. Sometimes it really livens up the day!

Just give some thought to your average day and you’ll realise how many people you give advice to.  You have so many talents and use a lot of them without even realising it.

That’s just brought back a memory – I spent four Christmases with my very first client and each one became more fun because I started inviting her 3 good friends to join us for lunch.

The step-daughter used to join us again for another Christmas lunch on the 1^st January. There was a mix up on one occasion and I had prepared it all and she had been invited somewhere else so there was a lovely meal waiting to be eaten.

I got my thinking cap on and remembered that a neighbour had been on her own all over the festive period. So, hot meal on a tray with cutlery and serviette, off I went to deliver a few doors away. The look on her face when she opened the door was quite a picture. When she returned the empty plates she couldn’t thank me enough. I was so pleased it had made a difference to her lonely Christmas.

I’m sure there are loads of stories out there that you would love to share with us all.