Honoring Barbara White: Our 2024 Roanoke, VA Caregiver of the Year!

We are delighted to announce our 2024 Roanoke, VA Caregiver of the Year: Barbara White!

Our whole Karis Care Services team gathered today at the Our Lady of the Valley Retirement Community to honor Barbara for the exceptional care she provides to the Roanoke, VA community we serve! We enjoyed food, drink and fellowship and several team members took a moment to speak about what makes Barbara an exceptional caregiver.

A letter of glowing praise from a client’s family was also read and we are proud to share it below:

Barbara White was the first caregiver to walk through my Mom’s door over five years ago. As can be expected, my Mom was not too thrilled to have someone come into her home. For my brother, sister and I, her coming was a blessing. I also knew Barbara from where we had worked together in a school.

As Barbara worked with my Mom she was always careful to be respectful. She would encourage my Mom to maintain her physical well being by taking walks with her. She helped fix her meals as needed. She played games with her and sang with her. She would clean the apartment as needed. She washed many loads of clothes. If she saw Mom was low on something she would let us know.

As time went on, my Mom's dementia increased. Barbara understood and didn't complain. She was always willing to adjust to meet my Mom’s needs. I could always count on Barbara to be knocking on the door promptly at 6:25 am.

On occasion my Mom would wander out the door. Barbara would be right there to guide her back. When others could not accomplish it, Barbara was able to get my Mom to take a shower. She even assisted her once when she fell in the bathroom. Barbara supported her to slowly lower to the bathtub floor.

We could always rely on Barbara to give my Mom her medicines as scheduled. She was aware and educated about dementia.

When my brother died two years ago, Barbara grieved with us and was there to support my Mom. Barbara was truly a part of our family.

In October of 2024, Barbara had a fall and was unable to come to take care of my Mom anymore. Although all caregivers who followed her were very good, they just weren't Barbara. As the weeks passed I noticed a rapid increase in my Moms dementia. I really feel when she lost Barbara, she changed. I suppose for my Mom, she had lost a very close friend. She couldn't express that in so many words.

As the last two months have brought many changes for my Mom, I know Barbara has been praying for her. She's a strong woman of faith and will always be a friend to me.

Mom is now in a memory care facility and had to give up her apartment. As I went to visit her yesterday, one of the women who her help her there asked me a very interesting question. She said "who is Barbara? Your Mom keeps calling me by that name." Thank you Barbara for being there for my Mom and doing above and beyond.

Barbara will always hold a special place in the hearts of our family.

Sincerely,
Dana L.