Reader Views: Professional caregivers deserve praise
Professional caregivers deserve praise
Recently, I had the pleasure to participate in a ceremony celebrating New Jersey’s direct support providers.
These are men and women who have dedicated their lives to providing professional caregiving services to people with disabilities. It can be a physically and emotionally demanding career but also an incredibly rewarding one.At an event held in New Brunswick, there was genuine sentiment as individuals with disabilities and their families told personal stories of the sacrifice, respect and attentiveness of direct care staff that work in their homes.
There were so many poignant examples of the bond that develops between caregivers and their clients. I was honored to be a part of it.
I want to publicly thank every DSP in the state for choosing their vocation; for showing patience, gentleness and instruction with clients; for their warmth, generosity and skilled support.
Their enthusiasm for and commitment to their jobs is appreciated.
Dawn Apgar
Dawn Apgar is a deputy commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Human Services, which operates seven developmental centers and contracts with more than 300 agencies providing community-based care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.