A Day in the Life of a DSP

What goes into being a Direct Support Professional (DSP)? In response to the question that so many ask; here is A Day in the Life of a DSP at Jay Nolan Community Services.

Marisol and Ilene

Many people assume a DSP’s role is either entirely hands on, or practically nonexistent. While there are variations in the level of support any one DSP provides depending on the need of an individual, the objective is to create support that is unique to each person. For some, such as Marisol and Ilene, support just looks like two friends enjoying the day together.

Marisol has worked with Ilene as a DSP for 9 years and shares that they have developed a truly deep bond. She goes on to say that they are “always learning from each other and keeping each other sharp.”

4:00 pm – 4:25 pm

Marisol begins her day with Ilene by picking her up from work at four o’clock. Ilene works as a data processor at the UCLA campus. Marisol will always ask how her day went and what sort of tasks she was busy with. They continue chatting about numerous topics from dinner plans and the weather, to fashion and even occasionally politics. Afterwards, Ilene will flip on the radio and they will listen to the news, staying up to date on important topics. If Marisol knows Ilene might need to pick up a few grocery items, she will inquire to Ilene whether they should make a Trader Joe’s run before heading back to Ilene’s apartment. The answer is usually yes!   

4:25 pm – 4:35 pm

Marisol and Ilene walk into Trader Joe’s together and Marisol grabs a cart for them to use. Grocery shopping is more of an independent task for Ilene, so she and Marisol peruse through the store together picking up items for themselves. Occasionally Marisol will confirm with Ilene if she needs certain things. Marisol’s prompting helps her to remember what’s on her grocery list or what she may be running low on.      

4:40 pm – 5:15 pm

After grocery shopping, they arrive back at Ilene’s apartment where Marisol helps bring in and put away the groceries. She then double checks that the kitchen and appliances are clean and then sits down to share a snack with Ilene. During this time, they continue to talk and have no difficulty in finding topics of conversation. Some days Ilene prefers a little more time to herself, in which case Marisol will keep busy with other activities while Ilene goes off to her bedroom.   

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

After the trash is taken out and a few other chores completed, Marisol and Ilene make dinner together starting at five thirty and sit down to eat at six. While they eat, they continue talking about the events of the day and their plans and dreams for the future. They often banter about retirement, to which Ilene jokingly tells Marisol she’s not allowed to retire! After they are finished, they wash up the dishes from dinner and Marisol helps prepare Ilene’s meals for the next day when she will be on her own. 

6:45 pm – 7:15 pm

Often after they eat together, Marisol and Ilene will take a walk around the neighborhood. Ilene enjoys walking for exercise, so Marisol encourages taking time after dinner to go out. Here they mostly just enjoy each other’s company and listen to the sounds of the city. The route they take brings them past many of the restaurants they occasionally frequent on days they go out for dinner or for special occasions.      

7:15 – end of the evening

Their day together wraps up when all chores are completed and everything is prepared for the following day. Marisol stays nearby while Ilene sees to her nightly care routine and ensures Ilene is comfortable. Ilene lives on her own overnight, so Marisol says goodbye until their next day together.

An Extraordinary Ordinary Life

Marisol’s role as a DSP is that of companionship. Most of their days together are spent in this way with Marisol and Ilene in their routine. Other days may include doing laundry and having dinner while the clothes are drying or having more down time to pursue additional interests together. Ilene also has family close by, so Marisol often accompanies her to visit with them.

“I like being around Ilene because we can talk with each other. She’s a great friend. This is what I have been doing the last nine years, and it’s very good.” – Marisol

It may seem like just another ordinary day, but that has always been the mission of Jay Nolan: to walk alongside people and support them to live extraordinarily ordinary lives.

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