Like Family

January’s Caregiver of the Month takes care of her patients as if they were related

It was Christmas morning and instead of being at home with her own family, Schlinda Reid was helping her patient get dressed and ready for the day. “He was having breakfast with the grandkids and his kids and wife, and they were all just super-happy that I was there so Pop-Pop was able to be up and eating Christmas breakfast with them,” she remembers. “Even though it was a holiday, 365 days a year, there’s always someone who needs care, and that’s what I’m there for.”

Reid, who was named January Caregiver of the Month, has been with FirstLight for about a year, and for most of that time she has been helping this client, who suffers from Lewy body dementia. She assists him with everything from bathing to writing his name. “The fact that you never know the speed of the progression of the disease is the challenging part for me,” says Reid. “I have dealt with other people who had neurological disorders, but despite the knowledge that I have, I will go home and read articles and continue to educate myself so I will be prepared to handle the changes that are going to occur.”

Reid has worked in the health care field for 10 years, but she’s been helping people much longer. Her mother and aunt worked for a nursing home for many years, and when she was 16, she was pressed into service when a terrible snowstorm prevented most of the staff from coming in. “My aunt sent her son to go and pick me up and drag me in there, and I ended up helping to prepare food, keep residents occupied and feed them much-needed meals,” she remembers. “Ever since then, I’ve been drawn in.”

The Elmwood Park resident has great things to say about now working for FirstLight: “They are really hands-on with their clients. Boyd and the staff know about their clients’ specific needs, which is awesome.”

Even though every client presents challenges, Reid enjoys being able to make a difference in their lives. “I like the fact that I can give people the opportunity to have the independence that they wouldn’t be able to have if I wasn’t there,” she says. “Also, I enjoy helping the rest of the family. My patient’s wife is always thanking me for giving her her life back because she has the opportunity to go and do things for herself and get that respite time that she needs to be 100 percent for her family and her husband.”

When Reid is caring for someone, she also thinking of her own parents, who have passed away. “If my mom or dad had lived to be older, and they wanted someone to take care of them, I would want them to be taken care of the way I’m taking care of these people’s loved ones,” she explains. “I’m taking care as if it was my family.”

Boyd Lowry, Owner
FirstLight Homecare