Brandyn Simmons and Brandy Andersen from Caring Senior Service of Wasatch were interviewed on Good Things Utah by Nicea DeGering. They shared how Caring Senior Service can help families by taking care of their aging loved ones. They also address some of the challenges facing family caregivers today. Watch the interview below or read the full transcript.
Video Transcript
Nicea DeGering
Many family caregivers just burn themselves out trying to make things perfect for their aging parents. But that doesn't have to be the case. Joining me now from Caring Senior Service is Brandyn Simmons and Brandy Andersen. Welcome to the show! Brandyn, let's start with you. What do you do at Caring Senior Service?
Brandyn Simmons
We provide non-medical, in-home senior care. So someone could be in their own house or an assisted living or independent living. And then we coordinate with other service providers, like hospice and home health, to make sure they're getting the care that they need.
Nicea DeGering
And what does that mean? What type of care do you provide?
Brandyn Simmons
So it might do things like light housekeeping, cooking, laundry. just anything that a person might need help with. They're what we call their activities of daily living.
Nicea DeGering
Brandy, sometimes it's just sitting with them and talking to them because they're lonely. Why are you passionate about what you do?
Brandy Andersen
Mine is on a personal level. So, I wanted to get into caregiving because I had a loss of a chid. And so I wanted to do something to give back. And my passion was to take care of others. So I got involved with Caring Senior Service and have pursued my career with them and can serve. And it's something I really do to honor my daughter and my husband who passed as well.
Nicea DeGering
And in what you've been doing over the years, what have you noticed about the plight of the caregiver here in our state?
Brandy Andersen
Well, it's been in high demand. It's a burnout situation. It really is.
Nicea DeGering
Well, because, like we talked about, you want things to be perfectly perfect for your loved one, and I understand that. I feel like time is short, and you want to spend as much time as you can. But then, that burnout sets in. Have you noticed that as well?
Brandyn Simmons
Oh definitely. The poster child for a family caregiver is that 40- to 60-year-old woman who is at the height of her career, height of her earning potential. And then she begins to burn out, loses productivity, maybe quits her job, loses her relationships, her autonomy, her selfhood. And so we encourage the family caregiver to ask What does a good day look like today? Both to the person they are caring for and to themselves. And just provide that. Don't try to make it perfect, because you're going to burn out.
Nicea DeGering
Brandyn, I heard you switch that around. Not What's the perfect day for you? What can I sacrifice? But What does a good day look like for both of us? Because there's guilt involved in caregiving. You feel like you're not doing enough, and then you feel overwhelmed when you do too much. Have you noticed that?
Brandy Andersen
Oh, absolutely. It's a terrible balance. And sometimes you feel like you're failing caregiver, your personal care for your self, the big picture. But it's nice to know that there are resources out there that can help you with that and give you support.
Nicea DeGering
There are thousands of caregivers just right here in our state. How do you help? How does your company help give caregivers support?
Brandy Andersen
I feel like we are very attainable on an ownership level. So we have an open-door policy. We are very close with our team. I think having personal growth and praise and to let them know that they are what make the wheels turn. They are what make caregiving so special and important. And they matter.
Nicea DeGering
What do you find that most people are wanting when they ask for your services?
Brandyn Simmons
I think primarily they are wanting to be who they are. They want to be that daughter or that son and not someone who is tearing their hair out trying to figure out how to make things perfect. Just be yourself and let us take care of the rest.
Nicea DeGering
Well, you want to love the people that you love and not run the errands when you just don't have time and feel frustrated. And that's when you step in. Is it anything from errands to shower to laundry to... yes, nodding to all of the above.
Brandyn Simmons
All of the above.
Nicea DeGering
Yes to all of the above. You just lighten that load. Where are you located?
Brandy Andersen
We are located in Midvale, and we service the entire Wasatch Front.
Nicea DeGering
Okay, so if you are watching right now and thnking, yes, this is something I need, you could also do it one day a week up to seven days a week?
Brandyn Simmons
Absolutely.
Nicea DeGering
So it depends on each individual family, what you are needing. Thank you for all you do for the community.