The Importance Of Sincerity
“There is no persuasiveness more effectual than the transparency of a single heart, of a sincere life.”
Yesterday was a brilliant day spent with Trusted Local Care; as i helped the last of our members onto the bus, before strapping them into their seats, there was a real moment of Sincerity. One of our members Grace who suffers with Dementia and is unable to speak, took hold of my hand, her touch was gentle and soft , as i was knelt down i lifted my head and she just looked at me her eyes piercing mine as they flickered from left to right. It seemed as though we were frozen in time.
When she had finished her undoubted search for facial recognition. She just smiled, not the type of smile that lights up the room due to the shining of her pearly whites, it was a rye smile, one that moves mountains and held a thousand thank yous’, one that touches you so deeply because you know how hard it is to make. The sincerity in it was something i have never felt from any words spoken.
Grace’s flower: taken at Trusted Local Care
That got me thinking about all the tasks i had preformed throughout the day and how sincere they were, how important it is when caring for people to keep your motivates sincere. whether having a conversation, making food , aiding someone to the bathroom, all these acts that can seem so small after a while, and if we’re honest like an obligation or a chore at the worst of times. How important they are in making people feel safe. That they are worth something and are more than an obligation.
In that moment i realised it was i that felt safe and appreciated and of value.
It’s important as carer that we hold onto and recognise that the relationships we form with people with dementia have to be sincere, honest and true it can be frustrating when people don’t recognise who you are after you have been helping them, however we must remember that although the people we care for don’t recognise us sometimes, they know who they are.
