In the face of stressful times, April Aide of the Month, Dellesha Ervin, is the type of caregiver our clients are lucky to have. Pleasant, calm, and up-beat, she gets the job done, no matter what. Challenges are no match for the positive attitude that Dellesha brings to her work every day.
Caregiving comes naturally to Dellesha who has been surrounded by loving caregivers all her life. Growing up, she was inspired by her mother and aunt, both nurses. As a teenager, she helped her father take care of his wife, who was suffering from MS. “It’s fulfilling to help people,” she says.
With such strong examples of caregiving, it is no wonder that Dellesha followed in her family footsteps and became a caregiver in 2004. In 2019, Dellesha came to work for CCOR, bringing to the job her years of experience and her calm, competent attitude. Whether it’s finishing the laundry or helping the client to the bathroom, she completes all her tasks with ease and grace. She also endeavors to lighten the workload for the next shift.
“You’ve got to have a lot of patience,” says Dellesha, about being a home care aide, and patience is something she has in abundance. She is always mindful that she is in someone else’s home and always tries to make the client feel comfortable and in control. Even during such stressful times as the COVID-19 pandemic, Dellesha is adept at keeping herself and her client calm.
For her, fighting COVID-19 means doing more of what she has always done. Dellesha has always been conscientious about handwashing and keeping surfaces clean. Now, however, she and the other aides she works with wash their hands with extra careful attention. As soon as she walks in the door, she heads straight to the kitchen where she washes her hands thoroughly. She also disinfects door handles, counters, and everything she or the client touches more often than ever before.
In her free time, Dellesha enjoys having dinner with friends and traveling. Though both of these activities are currently on hold for the time being, Dellesha remains in a positive state of mind. She has enjoyed a Jamaican cruise and trips to Atlanta, Las Vegas, Memphis, and New Orleans. Even though she has had to reschedule a couple of upcoming trips, she looks forward to the time when she can and will travel again.
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unsettled times, there are those like Dallesha who have kept their heads. Her calm, positive attitude has not only brought comfort to her clients, it serves as an example for us all to follow.