A Heart Shaped by Care

Caregiving was never something I planned to become an expert in. It became part of my life long before I even realized it. I grew up surrounded by elders. My great-grandparents lived in an Independent Living community, and much of my childhood was spent there with them. That environment shaped my heart early. I even completed my service learning hours there, helping residents and learning the importance of supporting older adults with dignity and respect.

But caregiving shifted from something I observed to something I carried personally the day my great-grandmother fell. I had already been taking her to doctor's appointments and helping where I could, but that moment made it clear that I was no longer just helping - I was her caregiver. At the time, I was balancing earning my Master's degree while working full-time. Life didn't slow down when caregiving entered the picture. Like so many family caregivers, I had to learn how to manage school, work, and caregiving responsibilities all at once, often putting my own needs aside to make sure she had the care she needed.