Every guest who stays at Editha House is required to come with a caregiver. Caregivers are vital to patient recovery, but they seldom receive the acknowledgment they deserve.

We hope that through these stories, we can convey the awe and appreciation we have for caregivers. To all the caregivers out there, we salute you!

Lupe met her friend Linda Kay eight years ago when she spent time as a dog walker. They clicked immediately, and last March, when Linda was planning to travel to Phoenix for her lung transplant, she asked Lupe to be her caregiver.

Lupe had taken care of her mother some years ago but otherwise had no caregiving experience. 

“It’s a time of learning, where you get to test yourself and learn from your mistakes. It’s a time where love is always the answer and it’s an opportunity to deepen the relationship with the person you are caring for.”

Lupe Macias-Hildago, Caregiver

Lupe lives by the philosophy that when you perform an act of kindness without expecting anything in return, life rewards you in the most abundant ways.

 “My advice to other caregivers,” says Lupe, “is to find different activities to do both together and separately. Communication is very important as well. Use positive words, words of encouragement and love. Focus on the positive even when there may be negativity around.”

Lupe admits there will be challenges as well. 

“Your personal time is limited because your priority is the person you are caring for. Sometimes spending so much time together along with medications and hormones can be a recipe for sadness or anger. But with love, understanding, honesty, communication and respect, everything can be overcome.”

Lupe sums up her five-month caregiving journey by saying, “The world is a beautiful place. Everywhere I’ve visited holds a very special spot in my heart. This definitely includes Editha House and the guests we met, the many kind volunteers and the supportive staff.”

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