Kendal at Ithaca caregiver shares story on the honor of her profession

In honor of November being National Caregiving Month, Kendal at Ithaca is sharing a moving story by Kieren Hoey, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Resident Care Aide (RCA), that offers a profound look into the world of caregiving. 

In her piece, “Tell Me About Caregiving,” Kieren eloquently captures the deep connections and vital role that caregivers play in the lives of residents, illustrating the compassion and dedication that underlie the work of caregivers and employees at Kendal at Ithaca, a non-profit Life Plan Community (senior living community) in Ithaca, New York. 

Kieren’s narrative provides a heartfelt perspective on the daily responsibilities and intimate moments that define her work. She describes caregivers as the “story-keepers and the root-tenders,” emphasizing the importance of remembering the small, personal details that honor each resident’s individuality and humanity. This dedication to seeing and knowing residents as unique individuals is a cornerstone of the care provided at Kendal at Ithaca. 

In her story, Kieren writes, “This job is truly an honor. Every person in healthcare, from the kitchen to the med cart, fill a vital role in this living, breathing ecosystem. Like a forest, every part is necessary, from the canopy to the ground cover. Some provide shelter, others provide nourishment. Within the clinical and nursing worlds, CNAs and RCAs are the eyes and the ears. We are the story-keepers and the root-tenders. We are the ones who witness and remember.” 

She continues by illustrating the depth of this connection: “We remember… Who sleeps without socks. Who needs to be tucked in with their pink blanket. That Theresa’s daughter passed away three autumns ago. And that Loren will only get out of bed after you’ve brought him his coffee, with three creams and two sugars.”  

Kieren’s words highlight that caregiving transcends tasks; it is about building relationships based on trust, empathy and respect. Kendal at Ithaca celebrates this powerful account, which reflects the values of its entire care team.  

Tell Me About Caregiving 

By Kieren Hoey, Certified Nursing Assistant & Resident Care Aide 

One of my favorite quotes is by Tia Walker;
“Caregiving often calls us to lean into a love we didn’t know possible.” 

 And it’s true- we show up every day, often giving more than we really have to give. Some of the people who have shaped me the most, who have changed how I see the world, are people I’ve cared for. 

This job is truly an honor.
Every person in healthcare, from the kitchen to the med cart, fill a vital role in this living, breathing ecosystem. Like a forest, every part is necessary from the canopy to the ground cover. Some provide shelter, others provide nourishment. Within the clinical and nursing worlds, CNAs and RCAs are the eyes and the ears. We are the story-keepers and the root-tenders. We are the ones who witness and remember. 

We remember…
Who sleeps without socks.
Who needs to be tucked in with their pink blanket.
That Theresa’s daughter passed away three autumns ago.
And that Loren will only get out of bed after you’ve brought him his coffee, with three creams and two sugars. 

We have the gift of knowing and seeing our residents exactly as they are at this specific moment in time while still being informed by who they’ve been previously. We hold their present while honoring their past.
We’re often the first ones to see what others might not. That someone is eating less or struggling to find their words. That Darlene isn’t angry; her shoes just aren’t tied right. We’ll be the first to learn when someone needs ketchup on everything they want to eat. We’ll learn how to speak languages others have never heard. 

In this work, everything matters and nothing is too small. Every act of care is a form of resistance- against apathy, invisibility and a system that too often reduces people to numbers and tasks. We know that real care, the kind that listens, adapts and returns again and again, is like water to soil. Without it, nothing meaningful grows. 

For me, as a CNA and RCA here, I know this:
We are the eyes, the ears and the roots of this place.
We are part of an ecosystem that flourishes because of all of its people. We are rooted in love and upheld by care. And when we truly care, we are reminded that everyone deserves to be seen, known and loved for exactly who they are.