08/26/2026
One of the most important parts of caregiving is simply listening.
Our clients have lived entire lives before we ever walked through their doors. They have stories, memories, knowledge, and experiences that deserve to be heard and sometimes, if you really listen, they teach you things you never expected to know.
For example, I can confidently tell you what an alligator wrench is now. 😂
And I never would have known if it weren’t for our little trips to the antique shop, where we’d dig through the 25¢ bins looking for old tools and treasures while he told me what they were, what they were used for, and the stories behind them.
Then one day, his son stopped by and asked him if he still had a certain tool from 45 years ago.
He knew exactly what he was talking about, and where it was. Still sitting in a dark back corner of his garage.
Those are the moments that remind me this job is about so much more than helping someone with their day-to-day needs. It’s about giving them the time and space to reminisce. Asking questions. Being genuinely interested. Letting them tell the same story again if they want to.
Because when we listen to our clients, we aren’t just passing the time—we’re honoring a lifetime of memories.
And sometimes, we walk away knowing what an alligator wrench is.
