Enriching Lives, Every Day
Enriching Lives, Every Day
How Cambridge Caregivers Brings Dignity and Joy to Care
When families invite Cambridge Caregivers into their homes, they are entrusting us with something precious — the well-being of a loved one. We understand that caregiving involves much more than meeting basic needs. The best caregivers know how to bring joy and purpose to each day.
To encourage our caregivers to do that, we recently offered a workshop with Lilly Adrian, a nationally recognized expert in life enrichment. The workshop is one of more than 40 paid training opportunities that Cambridge provides for caregivers every year.
Lilly’s message was simple but powerful: Bringing joy to each day starts with paying attention.
“When it comes to caring one-on-one for someone, your tools are knowing their story and treating them with dignity,” said Lilly.
Some key takeaways that caregivers learned from the workshop:
Know what matters most
Lilly encouraged caregivers to discover what she calls a client’s “non-negotiables.” These are the routines, values or small comforts that give life meaning.
“For me, it’s a morning cup of coffee fixed just right, with lots of cream,” she said. “For others, it may be going to church, singing hymns, or putting on their favorite red lipstick. These things matter because they speak to who that person is.”
By honoring these non-negotiables, caregivers preserve what is most familiar and reassuring, especially in times of change.
Princess, a caregiver in attendance, echoed this from her own experience: “For me, what works is communicating with my client. I learn what they love, and I bring it into our interactions. That way, they’re not just following me — we’re walking into their world, together.”
Learn their story
Lilly shared how learning about a person’s background can transform care. A retired teacher may brighten when given books and pencils. A former pastor may still want to be addressed as “Reverend.”
One caregiver, Marilyn, discovered the importance of music in her client’s life story.
“The house seemed a little too quiet, so I just started singing,” she said. “I learned that this client likes Ray Charles, so I was singing that, and he started singing with me!” She also played music using Spotify on her cellphone.
“Whenever a favorite song comes on, like Ray Charles, Etta James, or Frank Sinatra, he starts singing,” she said.
From the client’s wife, Marilyn learned that the client had been in a band in high school. The wife purchased a speaker, which connects to the cellphone. Now, they all enjoy music together.
Preserve dignity in every interaction
Helping clients maintain a sense of dignity was at the heart of Lilly’s training. She urged caregivers to use respectful language and avoid labels.
“Please don’t say, ‘It’s time to change your diaper’ to a client who wears Depends,” she said. Instead, she suggested a softer approach: “Let’s put on your pretty purple underwear, so you’ll be more comfortable.”
Small, thoughtful shifts help preserve dignity and self-respect.
Nurture a sense of purpose
Engagement works best when clients feel they are needed. Lilly shared a story about a resident in an assisted living community who refused to leave her room. She was fearful someone might steal her valuables, even though that had never occurred. Nothing worked — until Lilly invited her to share a cup of coffee.
“I said to this lady, ‘I really need another cup of coffee, but I don’t want to drink it alone. Would you come with me?’” Lilly recalled. The client agreed and ventured out of her room.
“Let clients know they’re needed,” Lilly said. “That sense of purpose can change everything.”
Care you can trust
Every client is more than a diagnosis or a condition. They are parents, teachers, veterans, gardeners or musicians. They are people with stories worth knowing and lives worth enriching.
Training sessions like Lilly’s equip caregivers to learn clients’ stories, create relationships, honor dignity and nurture their sense of purpose. Families who choose Cambridge Caregivers quickly learn that our caregiving team members are trained not just to provide safe, reliable care, but also to help bring joy to daily lives.
As Lilly reminded our team: “We’ve got to remember their past, celebrate their present, and embrace their future. That’s how we build a life worth living — one client at a time.”