My name is Edik Valijan and I have been a homecare provider since 1999, when I began to take care of my parents Sheram and Zaghik Valijan in Glendale, CA. When they first needed care they had a provider taking care of them that they applied for through the IHSS program. However, my Mother was not happy with the provider that was assigned to her and my Father. It was at that time that I decided to take over the care for both of my parents. I also have siblings, but they could not leave their jobs and so it was left up to me to make that decision. That’s how I became a homecare provider; I knew that I could take care of them better than anyone else.
For example, a few days ago my father was not feeling well and I went to my parent’s place and spent the whole night taking care of him. If they had a non-family provider I don’t think the provider would spend so many hours in the consumer’s house after working their shift.
I cannot imagine not being the primary care provider to my parents. If I put them with someone else or in a nursing home, my parents will live with less care and it will affect their well-being and possibly the length of their life.
