The Joy of Being a PSW

In this clip from the Alzheimer Society of Toronto’s 2007 PSW Forum, Ann Barrett, B.Sc. talks about why PSWs have been so important in her life.

This story was told to me by an individual who works for a supportive services agency here in Toronto. I was struck by the feeling of warmth that emanated from “Jane” as she told this story. I actually sort of envied “Jane’s” client and hope that if I every need the care of a PSW, I have someone like her.

When I first started working with this client, I dreaded going to her house. She was a petit woman in her 80’s, she had Alzheimer’s disease and she was completely blind. She was frequently angry and she hit me with her cane when I tried to help her with personal care. She also had a lot of energy and she was constantly moving around and she often tried to climb on things. Needless to say, this was a problem especially with the blindness. She lived with her daughter who was exhausted by the demands of caring for her mother and really needed the respite I was there to provide.

It took me a while but I did figure out how to help this lady calm down, at least for a while. I would get her to sit really close beside me on a big comfy couch. I would roll up my sleeve and she would sit there quietly and stroke my arm very gently over and over again. She really seemed to need physical touch and what comforted her was touching someone else as opposed to being touched. She would sit with me sometimes for almost an hour before she got up and started moving again. It got to the point that I made sure to wear a short sleeve shirt when I went to her house.

After having her as my client for a while she even seemed to recognize my voice. When I arrived, I would say, “Do you know who this is?” and a big smile would break across her face. I knew I could make her happy and that made me look forward to going to her house.

We want to hear your stories too. Write to pec@alzheimertoronto.org and tell us about some of the wonderful things that have happened to you in your care of persons with dementia.