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Working it out: Career changes during a pandemic

A San Diego County woman made a career change to help seniors.

SAN DIEGO —

A local woman turned her passion of care giving into a career change.

"You know, I want to have passion for something where I want to get up every day to do this,” said Melanie Delgado.

Delgado used to have a passion for her career in corporate America, but 20 years went by and she realized she wanted something more meaningful in life.

"It’s kind of the same over and over again and management changes and you have to start all over again and it wasn't fun anymore,” said Delgado.

She was looking for something with a greater purpose and wanted to make a real difference in the lives of others, like she did when she was in college helping take care of her nana.

"My grandmother was 80 years old when she had her legs amputated,” said Delgado.

Delgado said one of the worst memories was trying to find good care for her grandmother.

"We know what a family feels like,  getting to a point where you have to rely on a stranger coming into your house to take care of loved ones,” she said. “My husband literally takes off four months out of the year to take care of his mom."

That's why she tuned her personal care giving experience into a business. She used her 401k to become a new Right at Home franchise owner that serves the East County.

"June 22 was our first official date of being open,” said Delgado. 

She knew that when the pandemic hit, many seniors and those with disabilities would be left without care and she knew she could help.

"We do companionship,” she said. “We will do shopping and put it all away. We will provide assistance with daily living and if they are fully bedridden, we have staff to be able to take care of a patient in that condition." 

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