May 12, 2016

Schmieding Graduate Spotlight –Kalli

Kalli began her experience with the Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Program – Little Rock quite by chance. She had just moved to Arkansas and secured a job as a checker at the local grocery store. One day a shopper noticed that she was not having a good day and after a short conversation, the shopper invited Kalli to her church. This intuitive shopper eventually became a friend, confidant, and mentor with whom Kalli shared her dream of obtaining her CNA license and going to nursing school.

Touched by Kalli’s dream, the mentor searched the internet, found our program, and scheduled a time for Kalli to visit with our administrative coordinator. Kalli decided to attend our program, but she could not cover the full cost of the tuition. Once again, her mentor helped by covering a portion of the tuition so that Kalli could begin the first of three CNA preparatory classes! After completing the entire 116 hour program, Kalli attempted to return her mentor’s initial investment; the mentor simply responded that her family considered it an investment into her future and it was their gift to her.

When asked about her experience with the Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Program – Little Rock, Kalli says, “I was in high school when I first took a certified nursing assistant class as an elective. I had always wanted to become a nurse and help others, but the other students didn’t take it seriously; the other students made the class unpleasant. This was not my experience with your program. During the clinical experience, it was great that we were not to be assigned to work with the aides at the facility; it was nice to be able to do our care as we had learned it in school. Also, we were taught to be good caregivers no matter where we decided to work [nursing home or home care].”

“Before this program, I just wanted to get a job. After this program, I realized that I really wanted to take care of people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or a dementia and do it the right way. My experience with this program reinforced my desire to provide great care and served to increase my desire to continue with my dream of becoming a registered nurse.”

Kalli is currently working with clients who have dementia. She states that she is using the information that she gained from the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia class and sharing it with primary caregivers. She recalls the following: During an interview, a daughter shared that her dad had a meltdown at church. Kalli responded, “It could have been a response to an environmental trigger like a crowd or noise.” The interviewer was impressed and wanted to know more about the school where she received her training.

Kalli’s interesting path to our program has resulted in a new paraprofessional career for Kalli and a drive to provide patient, skillful, and knowledgeable care for our vulnerable and courageous seniors who have dementia.