People across Long Island showed just how grateful they feel for those who look after them on National Caregivers Day on Friday.
There’s certainly a special quality of kindness and patience that goes into being a caregiver, and that dedication was on display in Patchogue at McPeak’s Assisted Living Facility.
Maureen O’Shea, 82, says it’s the type of work that requires a special type of person to do the job that can sometimes be thankless.
And while the level of care is something O’Shea says is invaluable, what she finds most impressive is how flexible her caregivers are when it comes to providing that personal touch.
“Whatever level we are and whatever problems we have, they are dedicated to each one of us personally,” she says.
And James McPeak says while it means long hours and physical work, some of his caregivers can’t imagine doing anything else.
“I have employees who have been here for 15 years, 17 years, in the past we've had people here for 20 years, so some people it really just is in them,” says McPeak.
The need for caregivers only continues, as the number of New Yorkers 65 and over has ballooned to 3.5 million.