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From Patient to Caregiver: Marble Falls Amputee Honored for Senior Care

After a motorcycle crash led to amputation, Bo Hodges became a caregiver, earning regional honors for his compassionate service to seniors.

Published July 3, 2025 at 4:15pm

Bo Hodges understands that many of his clients initially resist having a caregiver. "They were professionals or took care of their family their whole lives. Why would they need a caregiver?" he said. His approach is to build friendships rather than confrontations, recognizing their frustration and overwhelm.

Hodges, 56, empathizes deeply due to his own experience. In 2016, a motorcycle crash in Houston left him severely injured after a car clipped him. "I was pretty banged up," he recalled. The accident resulted in a right-leg amputation and a shoulder injury, forcing him to rely on caregivers during recovery. "They treated me with such care. It struck a chord with me," he said.

Now residing in Marble Falls, Hodges transitioned from construction management to caregiving, primarily for seniors. His dedication earned him the title of Caregiver of the Year for the Southwest region at Right at Home.

A New Calling

Unable to return to construction, Hodges began working at a private senior care home. "I fell in love with the clients," he said. He mastered skills like bed-changing and mobility assistance, viewing his role as sacred—"like Jesus washing the feet of his disciples."

After the care home closed, he joined Right at Home. His boss, Elizabeth Lopez, noted his professionalism during his interview, where he wore a suit while others wore casual attire. She later discovered his prosthetic leg but emphasized, "He's perfectly capable of doing any care plan."

Hodges excels in connecting with reluctant clients. One initially refused care but eventually showered and left the house after bonding over sports and cars. "It was such a good match," Lopez said. Clients often resist parting with him, with one family describing his absence as "taking her husband's best friend."

Going Above and Beyond

Lopez highlighted two standout moments in his award application:

  1. A dementia client opened a gun safe. Hodges calmly diverted them outside until the wife secured the weapon.
  2. A client missing birds prompted Hodges to bring birdseed and fill their feeder the next day.

"He listens and just does things," Lopez said. Hodges’ mantra: "I am here to make your lives better."

Client Bonds

Nancy Petty, 89, resisted care until Hodges arrived with spaghetti ingredients. Her daughter, Sarah Hyde, said, "Bo made her feel so comfortable, she just gave in." Hyde, who once quit teaching to care for her parents, called Hodges "family."

Pat Heinecke relied on Hodges during her husband John’s final years. "They became buddies," she said. After John’s death, Hodges assisted with funeral preparations and remains a support. "If I could clone Bo, I would," Lopez added.

Choosing a Caregiver

Consider:

  • Specific needs (medical, transportation, housekeeping).
  • Training in daily tasks (bathing, mobility, cooking).
  • Safety checks (background, references).
  • Backup plans for absences.
  • Payment options (long-term care insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, VA programs).

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