Caregiver’s job ‘very rewarding’
Lezlie Ferguson is woman who lives in the joy of service.
A mother of seven girls, ages 8 to 22, Ferguson spends her days giving service as an adult caregiver.
“I fill in the crevices of freedom that slip away as age advances,” she said of her job. “I cook, clean or drive my couple to appointments or the grocery store, as needed.
“I think I am successful as an adult caregiver because I pay attention to the details that are important to the lives of my attendees.
“I also enjoy caring for and mothering my seven daughters. I home-schooled the girls and am proud of their accomplishments.”
What is your hometown? “I was raised in Highland, Utah.”
What town do you live in now? “I live in Hauser. And our family moved to here in 1991.”
What job do you do? “I have been in foster caregiving and recently became an in-home adult caregiver for a delightful 90-year-old woman and her 103-year-old husband.”
How long have you been doing this job? “I have been a caregiver for eight years.”
What do you like the least about this job? “The hardest part of adult caregiving has been watching the reality of getting old settle into the mind of this lovely woman. She knew that her mind and body were deteriorating and it upset her to not be able to do or remember the things she once could.”
What do you like the most about this job? “The job is very rewarding. I knew I was appreciated every day.”
Tell us a funny/unusual or sad story that happened on the job: “Both the husband and the wife have become bent with age and when we went out together they would push a shopping cart together as a joint walker. They were so darling to watch as they interacted with one another … pushing their cart together.”
What is your dream job? “My dream job would be to open a private boarding school in Kootenai County for troubled teenage girls.”
If your life were made into a movie, whom would you want to play you? “I liked Helen Hunt in her role in ‘Mad About You.’ I saw that (television show) a couple of times and I liked her character. She is simple but attractive and she has a glow about herself.”