Lisa Jenkins Finds Joy in Caregiving at Community Life

By Nancy Kennedy

Welcome to Caregivers Corner. This new feature of the Western Pennsylvania Guide to Good Health will introduce you to some very fine people who proudly wear the title of caregiver. Some are medical professionals and staff members; some are family members; others may be friends or volunteers. All are people who care for others who are unable to care for themselves, meeting their needs with compassion and skill.

Lisa Jenkins, MSSA, LSW, CDP, is the Senior Behavioral Health Coordinator for Community LIFE, an innovative program that serves older adults by providing primary medical care, in-home services to support independent living, and adult day care. Lisa is one-third of a team of certified, highly qualified dementia care practitioners who manage the care of persons with dementia and provide support and education to their families. Lisa has devoted her entire career of 30 years to the care of older adults, with a focus on dementia care. “I volunteered in an Alzheimer’s unit when I was in school and I fell in love with geriatrics. What I love most about dementia care is that you can see the heart of the person, even when there are behavioral or communication challenges,” she says.

Lisa Jenkins is an artist and her medium is human relationships. She has a passion for her work, despite the inevitable stress, losses and challenges. “I find joy in caring and in the connections we make with patients and families. I know I make a difference and that is deeply satisfying.”

A native of Pittsburgh, Lisa lives in Plum and is the mother of two. She is also a writer and professor who has served as a contributing author for two books. Lisa has recently achieved her writer’s dream: she wrote and published a book about dementia care with her Community Life dementia care colleagues Tina Opina and Terri Averi. The book, These Three Things: A Guide for Navigating the Dementia Journey, was published in June by Springer. These Three Things provides a toolbox of practical solutions for caregivers facing everyday challenges. The guidebook is written in a clear and practical way that reflects the respect the authors have for the caregivers.

“Eventually dementia touches nearly every life,” Lisa explains. “This guidebook is one more way of giving care, in this case, to the caregivers who need our advocacy and help.”

For further information about Community Life, visit www.commlife.org