Male caregivers carry their weight
- Name: Barry Weber, 45
- Place: Murrells Inlet, S.C.
I've always enjoyed helping people, and as a registered nurse, doing homecare allows me to go into people's homes to help.
It started in 2005, when I needed to help my dad, who was in a wheelchair. I came to work for Homewatch CareGivers for three weeks, and then I never left. I met my business partner's dad and took care of him for about a year before he passed away. Once I started doing this job, I really loved it.
Being a man in this field has its advantages. Male muscles, for example. When I'm talking to an older gentleman, and they're inquiring about home health care, they often ask for a nurse that can lift them. Wives will also ask, do you have any men?
Sometimes, it's about wanting to protect their privacy and their dignity. Plus, I think men get along better with men sometimes.
When I first started my career as a nurse, I would have never put myself in home care, working with a mostly elderly population. Now, I absolutely love it. That's the most rewarding thing, when you can go to work everyday and enjoy it.
