Page 32 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2019- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Comfort Keepers’ CAREGIVER OF THE YEAR

Madison Womack by Lisa Carson

Bob had ALS (Lou Gehrig’s cheerful and upbeat, as though this were
disease). He was not your any other day in her caregiving life.
typical Comfort Keeper
client. He was a 58-year- Six months before Bob’s death, he lost the
old workaholic. He was an ability to speak and was totally paralyzed,
Attorney, Certified Public but according to his wife, “Madison could
Accountant, Personal communicate with Bob just by watching
Financial Specialist and his eyes. The level of care that she gave
Certified Financial Planner. Bob was unbelievable.”
He authored several books
covering these topics, as well Bob died on May 4th, 2018, with his wife,
as the subject of leadership. friends, family and Madison by his side.
He taught continuing The hardest part of caring for this client
education courses to CPAs was the emotional strain of knowing
and Tax Attorneys in every his days were numbered, of knowing
state and was an adjunct professor at the local university that, very soon, she would have to say
in the Personal Financial Planning Department for 25 “goodbye”, yet Madison’s good nature and cheer never wavered.
years. In his spare time, he was very involved in his church She was there providing care, emotional support and a relationship
and Toastmasters. He was Past International President to the bitter end.
of Toastmasters and a professional speaker. He traveled
extensively to speak or teach. He had a grueling schedule, Madison Womack, a caregiver with Comfort Keepers of Lubbock, is
yet Bob did not give up his drive to work, teach and be one of only six caregivers chosen annually to receive this recognition
involved just because he was diagnosed with a fatal disease. from the 607 Comfort Keepers franchises nationwide. This is

Comfort Keepers was providing services for Bob twice Madison’s story that was submitted for her nomination.
daily: in the very early mornings - to get him ready for
work or a business meeting or coffee with friends, or even
to leave town for a speaking engagement, and again in the
late evenings (sometimes after midnight) - to get him to
bed. The caregivers went through the arduous process of
bathing, dressing, feeding, extensive exercise regime and
transporting him to work or wherever his busy life took
him.
Madison Womack began caring for Bob just after
Thanksgiving 2015. The requirements were physically
difficult, the hours not ideal, and the mental toll was
exhausting. However, she adapted to the client’s every
need.
Bob’s wife said, “You think no one can take care of your
spouse like you or the exact way you want it to be done, but
Madison was different! Not only did she meet his physical
needs, but the relationship that she developed with Bob was
priceless. Madison did things with Bob, such as playing
Jeopardy and helping him play his daily Solitaire challenge
(for over 200 consecutive days). It was little things, but they
were big things.”

As time slipped away from Bob, his care continued to
become more involved and difficult because his mobility
was waning. Bob finally became paralyzed from the neck
down. He still wanted to shower daily which required
the use of a Hoyer Lift. Madison was happy to oblige and
adapt. Everything done for Bob required some sort of
special equipment. At the same time, Madison remained

32 Lubbock Senior Link