When people need help in their homes, they often hire an agency to provide aides.  Agencies such as A Place for Mom, Village Caregiving, or CenterWell.  These places, I’m sure, have wonderful health care providers and do a great job of making sure an aide is there when needed.  But we had an even better health care agency:  Devon Care.

When we got Dad home at the end of January, which was absolutely the right decision, we soon realized that Dad needed 24 hour help, at least at first.  Mom is a strong and competent lady, but she is almost 90 and couldn’t lift him or help him move.  Dad is also strong for his age, but he wasn’t supposed to put any weight on his broken leg.  After some discussion, we called Devon Care.

Now, before you decide you want to call Devon Care as well, let me tell you what it is.  My nephew, Devon Sager, has been unemployed since October.  When Trump did away with DEI departments, Devon’s company did away with his job.  In fact, they did away with the whole language department at the company.  Although Devon has been dilligent in his job search, there just isn’t much available right now.  He started driving for DoorDash and was able to make enough money to get by.

When we brought Dad home and realized how much help he and Mom would need, we called Devon.  We worked out a weekly salary for him that was more than he would earn at DoorDash, but is less than he deserves to be paid.  For this salary, he has worked 24 hour a day, five days a week.  My brother, sister, Tom and I make sure that Devon gets two days off every week by filling in for him.

Devon Care has been an absolute gift from God.  Devon is patient, cheerful, and strong.  He helps Dad get in to the shower and escorts him to the bathroom at night.  Devon runs errands, plays music, and tells Dad jokes.  He goes to the doctor with Mom and Dad and works with the therapists to help Dad be as independent as possible.  Devon loves his grandparents and it shows in his care of them every day.

Dad was diagnosed with glaucoma this week.  On top of his physical and cognitive issues, he had been complaining about his eyesight for a while.  Reading has always been Dad’s favorite hobby and he would read several books a week.  Devon downloaded Audible on Dad’s phone and has been trying to teach him how to use it.  I’m not sure how it will go, but Devon is always trying to think of ways to improve Dad’s quality of life.

This is Devon’s last week.  He has other obligations that require he be back in Akron.  Although Dad is more independent, he is still trying to walk on his own when no one is with him.  All of us are a little worried about what will happen without the excellent care Dad has received from Devon.

I am so thankful that Devon was available to stay with Mom and Dad for the last month.  Without him, I’m not sure we could have kept Dad at home.  Devon has been a great blessing and an answer to prayer.