Caregiver feels best when helping others
As a senior caregiver, 29-year-old Farrah Erickson has a job with a future. Within the next 30 years, seniors will outnumber any other age group. In addition to the job security, there is another benefit to her chosen career – she loves caring for her clients.
Erickson works for Comfort Keepers, a nationwide company with local franchises specializing in providing assisted-living services in homes. From conversation and companionship to preparing meals, housekeeping, running errands, grocery shopping, doing laundry, assisting with personal hygiene and providing a 24-hour emergency response system, in-home care helps seniors stay out of nursing homes and lead a normal life in the comfort of their own residence.
Erickson was raised in a log cabin on Gold Creek above Hope, Idaho. She graduated from Sandpoint High School and previously worked in restaurants.
What is your job title? “I’m a caregiver.”
How long have you been doing this? “Ten months.”
How did you choose this line of work? “Well, when I was 15, my dad became ill and I would help care for him until the day he died. I always felt my best when I’m caring for others. Their life is in my hands and I take that very serious.”
Are you paid: (a) well; (b) more than you are worth; (c) slave wages, (d) could be better? “This is not an easy question to answer. Yes I’m paid well, but it could always be better.”
What is the best thing about your job? “Being able to wake up everyday and do something I love to do. Everyday there is a new challenge and surprise and I wouldn’t change that. That is what makes my job exciting.”
What is the worst thing about your job? “They always tell you in this line of work not to get attached to your clients. But when you’re with somebody every day on a personal level, you can’t help it. Losing a client due to illness or age is the worst part of my job.”
Do you plan on doing this job (a) until retirement; (b) until something better comes along? “Until retirement.”
Do you have any on-the-job funny stories? “There’s not a day that goes by that something funny doesn’t happen at work. All my clients keep me on my toes. I make them laugh as much as they make me laugh. I have a client whom I cooked for, among other tasks and I encouraged her to try to cook something on her own. One day I entered her house and smelled something baking. I asked if she was baking and she proudly answered ‘yes.’ Just at the time the smoke alarm went off. I opened the oven door and her cake was burning.”
Any bad experiences (please elaborate)? “There’s no such thing as bad experiences. It’s all a learning process and that’s how we all learn and grow in life. There are always good things that come along with the bad.”
If there was a movie made about you and your job, what actor should play you and why? “I’m not too sure about a movie. But the actress would be Diane Lane, because she is very confident, strong and she is great at what she does. And I think I’m great at what I do. “