Caregiving Journey: Yakima’s Story

Leading with Love, Guided by Grace

For Yakima, caregiving isn’t just a profession — it’s her purpose. With nearly two decades of experience in CNA work, home health, private duty, hospice, and rehabilitation, she has spent her life caring for others through every stage of aging and healing. Now five months into her journey with Touching Hearts at Home, her impact is already being felt in the most meaningful ways.

“I’ve been doing this for 18 years,” she says. “It’s not something I fell into — it’s who I am.”

And anyone who’s met Yakima or witnessed her work would agree: she leads every shift, every visit, every interaction — with love.

A Heartfelt Beginning

Early in her career, Yakima cared for a woman living with multiple sclerosis. Others had struggled to meet this woman’s care needs efficiently, taking over an hour to provide support. But Yakima approached it differently — with patience, attention to detail, and the quiet brilliance of someone who sees the individual, not just the task.

She memorized the client’s preferences and routines, eventually cutting her care time down to just 30–45 minutes without ever compromising on compassion. The client and her son were so moved by Yakima’s care that they threw her a thank-you party — complete with gifts, a plaque, and a heartfelt moment she’s never forgotten.

“I cried,” she remembers. “Not because of the gifts, but because I felt truly appreciated. That family showed me what it means to be seen for the care you give.”

Building Trust, One Conversation at a Time

For Yakima, meaningful caregiving starts with meaningful connection. “I take time to learn about each client and their family,” she says. “I ask questions. I listen. That’s how trust is built.”

It’s not just about routines and tasks — it’s about presence. By learning who her clients are beyond their care needs, she creates space where they feel safe, supported, and genuinely cared for.

When Time Feels Tight, Love Still Leads

One of Yakima’s biggest challenges is the clock. “Sometimes there just isn’t enough time to give the intimate care I want to,” she says. But she doesn’t let that stop her from making the most of every moment. Her solution? “Pay attention to the details. It’s the small things that speak the loudest.”

Whether it’s folding a blanket just the way someone likes it or offering a gentle word during a difficult moment, Yakima finds ways to infuse care with dignity, even when the minutes are limited.

The Moments That Define a Career

Some caregiving moments stay with you forever — and Yakima has lived many of them. One that stands out was a hospice case, where she cared not only for a dying client but also for the client’s daughter, who stayed at her mother’s side for five nights straight.

“I was there for both of them,” she recalls. “And it was such an emotional time.”

After her client passed, the daughter sent a two-page letter to the CEO of the agency Yakima worked for — expressing deep gratitude for the compassion, professionalism, and humanity she witnessed.

“I couldn’t believe the words she wrote,” Yakima says. “It was like reading about someone else. But it reminded me — this is why I do what I do. I am making a difference.”

A Caregiver’s Wisdom

Yakima’s philosophy is beautifully simple:

“Care for others the way you’d want to be cared for when your time comes.”

And her advice to others stepping into this work?

“Lead with love and compassion. Always.”

Because at the end of the day, people may not remember every task completed — but they will remember how they were made to feel.

A Life Changed by Love

Being a caregiver hasn’t just shaped Yakima’s career — it’s shaped who she is. It’s affected her relationships, her mindset, and her view on aging. “Caregiving has created a love so deep in me that I carry it everywhere,” she shares. “It’s in how I treat my family. It’s in how I treat strangers. This work makes you softer, stronger, and more human.”

Why Home Care Matters

For Yakima, home care isn’t just about keeping someone in their house — it’s about preserving their humanity, comfort, and dignity.

“People need to know they matter,” she says. “And home is the safest place to feel that. With the right caregiver, home care can be healing, empowering, and full of heart.”