I worked 2 jobs while going to school. One of them was being my grandpa's paid caregiver.
A certified nursing assistant shares her experience balancing a career in professional caregiving with the personal responsibility of caring for her grandfather. She highlights the logistical and emotional challenges of managing multiple roles while pursuing further education.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the 'sandwich generation' and the often-overlooked economic and personal strain placed on family caregivers.
Tammy Shanklin helps with her grandfather's care. Courtesy of Tammy Shanklin Tammy Shanklin works as a caregiver in both her job and her personal life. She started taking care of her grandfather while attending cosmetology school and still working. She wishes people knew it's not always easy to be a family caregiver. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tammy Shanklin, who is in her 40s and lives in Illinois. It's been edited for length and clarity. I've been a licensed certified nursing assistant since the age of 18. About a year ago, I became a home caregiver for my grandfather, who lives with my mother. I still work in an assisted living facility as a caregiver, and I take care of him. As a caregiver for my grandfather, I'm hired through a home health agency.
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