HomeNewsArticle Display

Caring for the Caregivers

  • Published
  • By Nicole Turner
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  There's nothing like a little rest and relaxation to get rejuvenated, and that is exactly what many Tinker caregivers were able to do last week.

Personnel from Tinker's Integrated Delivery System -- also known as the Tinker Care Network -- held "Caring for the Caregivers" March 3 in the base chapel. The event was specifically for people involved in providing care for others, like those from the Child Development Centers, Medical Group and Airman and Family Readiness Center, among many others.

"All of the caregivers are so busy taking care of other people that they sometimes forget to take care of themselves," said Rebecca Hammett, a committee member who helped plan the event and who is an administrative assistant for Airman and Family Services. "We wanted to have this event to give back to them and show them that they're appreciated for all of the care and support they give others on a daily basis."

At the event, caregivers were provided an Italian lunch and they had opportunities to play 'Minute to Win It' games for prizes including Target gift cards and DVDs. There also were several drawings throughout the day for bigger prizes like Kindles, digital cameras and an iPod Shuffle.

Charlie Lewis, a Caring for People Caregiver in the Airman and Family Services, said Tinker Federal Credit Union assisted with the event by donating $700 to purchase the prizes, and the Tinker Family Readiness Fund assisted with some of the funding as well.

Having a Hawaiian theme, the event was decorated like a luau celebration feast with leis, tiki posts and torches for a party-like atmosphere.

"We wanted to be able to have an event where they can relax," Ms. Hammett said.
"Relaxing to me is water and beach so we thought, 'why not have a luau?'"

For extra comfort there was also a "Relaxation Room, where caregivers could go for a 20-minute massage. Students from Integrated Massage Therapeutic College volunteered to provide the massages.

Col. Bob LaBrutta, commander of the 72nd Air Base Wing, welcomed the caregivers and thanked them for the services they provide each day. He emphasized to them how crucial their role is on base, and urged them to take care of themselves as much as they do others.

"It looks like it's going to be a wonderful afternoon of 'pampering events,' and that's what this is all about...taking care of you--our professional caregivers," Colonel LaBrutta said. "What you do for the mission of not only the Air Force, but the Navy and our 45 other associate units on this installation, cannot be overstated. So, thank you very much! Your dedication to ensuring for the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health and welfare of our workforce has a direct, positive impact on the combat capability that we provide to our nation."

Throughout the day, 94 caregivers attended the event.

"The caregivers really enjoyed the event," Ms. Lewis said. "They were able to get away from work for a few hours, enjoy some delicious food and relaxing massages with co-workers in the same or similar work environment. They all loved the event so much that they keep asking for another one."

Three attendees from the 72nd Medical Group said they enjoyed having a day to get some good "R&R." Master Sgt. Jason Noreen, flight chief for surgery services in the Medical Operations Squadron; Airman Calvin Williams, medical technician for family practices in the MDOS and Staff Sgt. Cheila Garcia, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the surgery clinic in the MDOS, all said they particularly liked getting a massage.

"We work in the medical group so we primarily take care of others," Sergeant Garcia said. "So it is nice for a change that they do this to take care of us."