For Ashley Drooger, caring for others isn’t just a job – it’s her calling.
“There’s no getting around it,” she said. “This is absolutely what I was meant to do. I was put on earth for this right here.”
Ashley began her career as a certified nurse assistant, working in hospitals to build her bedside manner and medical skills. But she found her true passion in direct in-home care, where she could provide comfort and relief not just to patients, but to their families as well.
One of those families is the Slys. Marty Sly’s husband, Dick, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years ago. As his mobility declined, Marty found herself shouldering more and more of the caregiving responsibilities.
“She was doing it all on her own, and that is very hard,” Ashley said.
For Marty, Ashley’s presence has been life-changing.
“The difference it’s made for me and for Dick, it’s been unbelievable,” Marty said. “Having that assistance available in home has made a world of difference just in our quality of life. We just do what we can and make the best of every day, and Ashley and these services are a big part of that.”
For Ashley, the reward comes in knowing she’s helping families reclaim time together.
“Being able to care for Dick also provides care in a way for Marty,” she said. “It allows her to just get out and breathe, to be a wife again and not just a caregiver. That is huge.”
With every visit, Ashley said she is reminded why she chose this path.
“I love being able to see the difference,” she said. “It just makes me feel so good to help them. The ability to keep people at home, that’s huge.”
