Heart to serve: A caregiver's dedication

John Kellen’s mother, Colleen, left, has dementia. Caregiver Linda Schemmel has been working with the family for two years through the Compassionate Care service. Contributed John Kellen

BY JOHN KELLEN

Every once in a while you meet a very extraordinary person, one that makes a huge impact on you and those you love. One such person is Linda Schemmel.

I first met Linda three years ago at a memory care support group after moving back to Willmar to care for my aging parents. Linda had just lost her husband, Jim, to Parkinson’s Disease after a heroic battle. At the time I had no idea just how debilitating dementia could be, nor what caring for a loved one might entail.

Fast forward one year and who should show up on our doorstep for a shift to care for my mother, Colleen?

None other than the aforementioned Linda Schemmel. Linda had agreed to parttime work with Compassionate Care after a grieving period and fate brought her to us.

Little did I understand just how momentous this initial meeting would be, yet over time “Tia Linda” as she is now affectionately known has become an honorary member of the Blake/Kellen clan. Caregiving isn’t for everyone and certainly not for the faint of heart. For those called to serve, there is a real dedication in knowing that the work they are doing is meaningful and has a huge impact on those individuals they care for.

Linda is a natural caregiver having grown up on a farm near Lake Lillian and having cared for a sister as well as her husband. She puts the “compassionate” in Compassionate Care.

John Kellen’s mother, Colleen, has dementia. Here, she plays with caregiver Linda Schemmel’s dog, Vaeda.

Contributed John Kellen

For those who have experience caring for a loved one, you know how taxing it can be. It is critical to have time away from the stress of 24/7 oversight and services that provide this much needed respite are a godsend.

Linda has allowed me to get away and work on my passions of photography and now stained glass. In a sense, these weekly sessions have become my “therapy” and have allowed me a balance in my own life.

Not long after Linda started working with my mother Colleen, she asked me if she might bring her little dog Vaeda to work as her neighbor wasn’t able to let the dog out one day during her regularly scheduled shift.

Of course, we would be happy to have your puppy accompany you as my mother loves dogs. This was the start of a love affair of sorts — Puppy Love that is. Mom immediately lit up with a smile and was so happy to have a four-legged companion. Needless to say, we now welcome Vaeda to our home twice a week which is a win, win, win.

There is ample research and documentation showing how animals provide comfort and therapy, especially to those who suffer from dementia.

Although I cannot know exactly what my mother is experiencing, her smile, her demeanor immediately changes the moment Vaeda trots into the room. In a way both Linda and Vaeda have become family to us and we are so grateful for them both.

In addition to the comfort Vaeda provides, she’s also taken on the role of “Guard Dog” and has become very protective of Mom any time a stranger comes calling. It’s pretty funny to watch as Vaeda is all of about 15 pounds, yet she believes she is ferocious in protecting her ward.

Linda consistently goes above and beyond in her caregiving duties — whether it be buying puzzles for mom or bringing her signature yummy baked goods we always look forward to her beautiful smile and kind demeanor.

I can leave for eight hours at a time and be totally confident that mom is in good hands. Seriously, I don’t know what I would do without this dynamic caregiving duo. So, thank you from the bottom of our hearts Tia Linda. You make the world a better place!