Meet the Caregivers
Sheila
Sheila began her love of care-giving in 1994 while working for a local convalescent facility in Red Bluff. It was there she also received her CNA license and discovered she had a genuine love of seniors. In 1999, Sheila began doing private home care for families that preferred keeping loved ones closer. “I really enjoyed the one on one dynamic of that type of care-giving”. In 2001, Sheila began working for Lighthouse Living Services, caring for developmentally disabled where she eventually became the program director. By the River was lucky enough to bring Sheila aboard in 2017 during a time that she was looking to get back to more of a one-on-one care-giving role. “I always felt like I can do better at making a difference in a smaller setting. I really enjoy talking with them and being there to support their needs”. When not at work, Sheila enjoys serving at her local church, camping, spending time with her family, and capturing life through her camera lens.
Sophia
Sophia has been care-giving since she was about 20 years old. Since she won’t tell us her age, we have to guess around 10 years? She has worked at the large facility here in Red Bluff and learned during that time that she truly loved the field and looked forward to making it a career. Sophia went through a 2-year nursing program in Vermont and received her Associate of Science. But it was the opportunity to work in the memory care side of a large assisted living facility solidified her decision that this was a line of work that didn’t feel like work. “I feel so often that the senior population gets disregarded when it is actually from them that we can learn the most. Care-giving is a way to help them celebrate their past but yet give them the opportunity to enjoy the present. I absolutely just love just hanging out with them and listening about where and how they were raised or how they met their spouse. It makes me warm inside to see them smile as they recall those memories.” When not at By the River, Sophia can be found on the ski slopes, hiking, and kayaking with her husband. And, while she keeps it a secret, she is an accomplished pianist.
Dakota
Hello. My name is Dakota Coy and I have been care-giving for 11 years now. I have always had a passion for caring and helping people in any way I can. I began taking care of a family friend and my love of care-giving grew from that. I have the experience of working in a few different larger facilities and also in-home settings as well. I enjoy the home care as it gave me the opportunity to learn more about who I was caring for. I felt more satisfaction helping specific families in need and liked the feeling of being more “present” for them. My favorite thing to do is just sit and talk with them. I am a busy mother of 2 young children so it feels good to just slow down to our resident’s pace and be there for them in any way I can. I love the outdoors and spending time with my family. I enjoy camping, hiking and reading (when my kids let me!)
Kristine
Hello, my name is Kristine and I started care-giving when I was 15 years old. That may seem young but it was for my grandmother and it was important to me that she get the care she deserved so I would do everything I could for her when I wasn’t in school. She passed when I was 19 but the experience eventually led me into the professional care-giving world where I have worked in convalescent care and skilled nursing facilities. I have also worked in the home health field and in the hospital. Looking for some extra excitement, I became a firefighter EMT and this taught me the art of responding calmly in emergency situations. In the end, I really enjoyed meeting the needs of the elderly in all these environments. I just felt like “they deserve to be well cared for” and it fulfilled me to have that opportunity. I have a wonderful husband of 16 years and am blessed with four great kids. Our huge, tightly knit families are spread out between Red Bluff and the Mendocino Coast.
Cheryl
Cheryl was one of the very first caregivers hired on at By the River. She has 16 years of experience in the field of care-giving. Cheryl was brought aboard to handle much of the NOC shift. 11pm to 7am can be a lonely (and boring) time but Cheryl has turned it into a time of significant production. All the common areas are cleaned every night, and she will often get the next day’s meals started for the day staff that have quite a bit on their hands. She enjoys talking to a few of the night owls in our home that have a challenging time sleeping. She has become quite talented at redirecting them back to bed so they can be well rested the next day. Cheryl has been enrolled in a nursing program for the past 3 years and uses some of the down time at night to work on her studies. When she’s not at the facility, she can be found out in nature with her pets and capturing the beauty of our world through landscape photography.
Sara
Hello. My name is Sara and I have been caregiving for over 10 years. It makes me happy to spend time with your loved ones that have worked so incredibly hard in their lifetime. I feel that this is now their time to just relax and enjoy this chapter of living. To see our residents happy, makes me happy. And, when they are struggling I love to help them through their trials by doing arts and crafts, going for a stroll with them or just sitting and listening to the answers as I ask them questions about their life. I grew up on a ranch and have a deep love of horses. My 6 sisters and I made for a very busy home. Poor Mom! When not at work, I can be found spending quality time with my boyfriend and our families. Family is the cornerstone of my life and I am blessed to have a loving and trusting group around me. “Love and Laughter” is my mantra. Whether it is at home with my family or at By the River with yours, Love and Laughter will always win.