 Janell H.
Congratulations to Janell H for being selected as August’s CAREGiver of the Month! Janell started her journey with us January 11th, 2010. Janell had never been a CAREGiver prior to coming here, but was drawn to senior care after she was able to care for her father. He was adamant that he wanted to stay in his own home, so they were able to arrange for him to stay at home by splitting responsibilities and visits between family members. She said it was definitely stressful and exhausting to meet all his needs and if she would have had caregivers to help, it would have been wonderful. She thought it would be great to be able to step in and be that person for another family struggling with the same issues.
Before coming to Home Instead Senior Care, Janell mostly worked in corporate settings, most recently as a training coordinator for a software training company and then as an office manager for a software development firm. Janell’s degree is from Drake University in Public Relations. Janell has been married to her wonderful husband, Mike, for 30 years. They have 3 children - son, Eric in Ashland, Oregon; daughter Lani in Portland, Oregon; and son, Adam at UNI in Cedar Falls.
Janell has a big yard and a flower garden that she loves to tinker in. She loves to read and also loves to write. Janell has kept a journal since she was a teenager. She loves to hear people talk about themselves and has been inspired to write a short story or two about people she meets. After reading some wonderful stories Janell wrote about a few of her clients, Anne invited her to blog for us on our Home Instead Senior Care website.
Janell was chosen as our CAREGiver of the month, because she is so dependable and always willing to fill in for us when she is available. She has an amazing patience and soothing nature and her client’s rave about the care she provides. Janell continuously goes above and beyond for her clients and the office staff. She is also a certified Lifecatcher with Home Instead Senior Care. When asked what her most rewarding experience was she said, “It was actually for a client I almost didn’t take on. I was called to spend the overnight hours with a woman in hospice care. She didn't want to die alone and her friends who were taking care of her couldn't spend nights with her. At first I said no, but then I realized I might be missing the opportunity to meet someone extraordinary and I did not regret that decision for one moment. She WAS an extraordinary woman with wonderful stories of adventures and travel. She wasn't able to tell me those stories but her friends did after she passed away and I felt honored to have known her even for the shortest of time. It was an experience I will never forget but I might have missed it if I hadn't said yes.” Thanks Janell for your hard work! We are blessed and thankful to have you as part of the Home Instead Senior Care Family!   Mary Colwell Congratulations to Mary Colwell for being selected as July’s CAREGiver of the Month! Mary joined us on November 12th, 2008. Before coming to Home Instead Senior Care, Mary was a secretary for The City of Des Moines for 17 years and then later retired from the US Postal Service after serving them for 23 years. For four years, Mary was also a nanny for a family with 6 children! Mary has lived in Des Moines all of her life and has 2 sons, 3 granddaughters, and 1 great grandson.
Mary had two friends that suggested she come apply to be a CAREGiver as they thought this would be a perfect match for her. She really liked that Home Instead Senior Care had flexible hours and allowed her to take time off as she needed. “I knew I would be able to care for my favorite people, the elderly.”
In her free time Mary enjoys reading, doing crossword puzzles, traveling, and camping with her friends and family. When we asked Mary what talents she brought with her to Home Instead Senior Care she said, “I brought patience, understanding, and a willingness to help. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the elderly and people with illnesses.” I spoke with one of Mary’s clients, and she said that Mary truly was a wonderful CAREGiver. She said she is so patient and great company. They enjoy running errands together and sitting down to chat over coffee. “Knowing I’m making a difference in my clients’ everyday lives and knowing that they are making a difference in mine is such a rewarding experience. It’s also rewarding knowing that they look forward to me coming and know that they can count on me to get them to appointments, take them shopping, etc.”
Mary was chosen as our July CAREGiver of the month for those exact reasons. Her clients truly adore her. Mary has been so dependable and frequently goes above and beyond for them. Mary is great about picking up extra shifts for her clients on short notice. She wants to make sure that they get the best of care. Thank you Mary for all you do! We love your patience and dedication to your clients and the office staff. We look forward to many more years of your service. God Bless!  Toni Johansen Congratulations to Toni Johansen for being selected as June’s CAREGiver of the Month! Toni joined us on October 27th of 2009. Toni is a retired school teacher known as “The Sunburst Lady.” She taught for 50 years in Iowa and relocated to Las Vegas for 3 years to help teach due to the teacher shortage. Toni returned to her home in Pleasant Hill and decided she had way too much time on her hands. She knew she loved helping others and had heard how wonderful Home Instead Senior Care was, so she decided to apply!
In her free time Toni enjoys collecting and making dolls. She opened a doll museum in Valley Junction called The Sunburst Lady’s Doll Museum. Toni and her late husband’s other hobby was theater. In 1968 Toni directed the Music Man in Mason City and later directed it again with East High students. Toni started directing in Mitchelville and later became the drama director for the Mitchellville Training School for Girls, for seven summers. Toni started her college career in drama, but switched to education. She has her Masters from Drake University in counseling and worked as a guidance counselor for Lucas Elementary for 15 years and then at East High for another 5 years. Toni was honored in 1990 to become part of the American School Counselor Association.
Toni has been a blessing to her loved ones and her clients. She said her clients have all been so kind and appreciative of her and she really enjoys spending her time with them. Toni is just a natural CAREGiver by heart! Her experience with her family and her years of teaching has brought a great sense of patience and love to all of the people she works with. Toni, we all know you have many talents to share with us! You continuously let us know how much you love being a CAREGiver. You are always willing to pick up extra shifts and fill in when we need you. You bring a wonderful attitude and your positive outlook and wonderful smile makes you such a great addition to the Home Instead Senior Care family. Thanks Toni!  Marianne Samorey Congratulations to Marianne Samorey for being selected as May’s CAREGiver of the Month! Marianne donated her time to teach us about stress management and introduce us to some yoga at our May’s monthly in-service. Marianne came to Home Instead Senior Care in November of 2009 and she also currently works for Scottish Rite Park and Ramsey Village. In her free time Marianne enjoys reading, giving stress reduction seminars, teaching yoga, and taking nature hikes.
Marianne came to the United States, from Germany, when she was just 16 years old. She finished her undergraduate degree in Illinois before completing her medical Technology Professional Certification. Marianne then started her Masters work in Pennsylvania and completed her degree here in Des Moines at Drake University. While she was finishing her Masters she worked at Mercy Medical Center as the Director of the School of Clinical Laboratory Science. It was during this time she adopted her son. Her son was a straight A student and graduated from the University of Western Ontario in violin performance and linguistics. She said that musicians are minimally rewarded financially so he is now in school to become an air traffic controller. Marianne’s face lights up every time she talks about him and she says he is the joy of her life.
Marianne was chosen as the CAREGiver of the Month because she constantly goes Above and Beyond for her clients and the office staff. She always fills in when she is available and has an excellent attitude! We have received many calls from family members of Marianne’s clients, just to let us know how outstanding and caring Marianne is.
“Seniors are my generation and I have an experiential understanding of them which translates into an easy relationship of caring and sharing experiences.”
“Every time you work with a client, make sure your heart and mind are clear of resentment, judgment, and anger. Clients are very sensitive to these feelings in you, even if you try to hide them. Always come with an attitude of enthusiasm, joy, or acceptance of what is”.  Lois D. She enjoys singing and has been part of church choirs and also just enjoys being involved with church activities. She also likes going to garage sales.
Lois had a client that she was able to spend a year with ntil she had to have a knee replacement. After Lois recovered and returned to the office she was assigned to new clients, but was asked to come back to spend the final days with her prior client. Lois said her most rewarding experience was when
that client’s family sent her a beautiful letter thanking her for all of the loving care she provided to their mother. Part of the reason Lois was chosen as CAREGiver of the month is because she is so flexible with the office and has a very calming and loving demeanor with her clients. Lois has been able to take on one of our more challenging clients and they often praise her services to us. Thank you so much for your great work Lois!
“I like to enter my client’s home with a smile and a positive attitude. We should have compassion, show them respect, and treat them with dignity. Listen to their needs. I always like to say a prayer before I enter their home.” Thank you so much for those words of wisdom. We are so happy to have you as part of our team! You are always willing to pick up extra shifts if you are available and always display such a loving and positive attitude with the office and to your clients. We look forward to celebrating many more years to come. Thanks Lois!  Victoria Oullette Please join us in congratulating Victoria Oullette for our March CAREGiver of the month! Victoria has been with us for almost 7 years now! Victoria calls and visits us often to keep us updated on her clients and the projects she is working on. Anyone that knows Victoria knows she always has something going on. One of my favorite facts about Victoria is that she used to be a dance instructor! She taught anything from ballroom to ballet and also managed the Arthur Murray Studio. She has been dancing for 52 years now! Victoria also loves making whatever craft project that pops into her head. She enjoys reading and going shopping with her childhood best friend.
We asked Victoria what attracted to her to Home Instead Senior Care and she told us how her mother actually had a wonderful CAREGiver in her later years. She saw how much her mother looked forward to her helper coming and Victoria knew how much she would also love being able to provide that same care to someone else’s loved one. Victoria really felt like CAREGiving was her way of paying it forward in honor of the CAREGiver that provided such loving help to her mother. You are paying it forward Victoria!
Victoria has always been around older adults as her parents were in their 40’s when they added her to the family. She said it has always been easy for her to respect and be around the elderly. She loves learning from them and hearing their stories. >From a young age Victoria was able to lend hand to her elders by running errands and helping them with their outside work. She was also able to care for her parents as they aged.
Victoria has been married to her husband, Leonard, for 10 years. Des Moines is her hometown, but they have also lived in Fairmont, Omaha, and Council Bluffs. They have a baby named Molly, who is a very sweet and spoiled Beagle! Victoria is always willing to pitch in and help with office events and she always goes above and beyond for her clients. Victoria displays such wonderful enthusiasm! This is part of the reason that Victoria was chosen for CAREGiver of the month.
“Remember that we are a guest in our client’s home and that we need to respect their dignity. Be their friend and listen to what is important to them so you can discover what they enjoy. Be a breath of fresh air and have a sense of humor. Laughter is the best medicine!”  Peggy Villont Congratulations Peggy Villont for being selected as our February CAREGiver of the month! Peggy has been such a fantastic representation of Home Instead Senior Care. She always keeps Home Instead Senior Care brochures with her to pass along to others. We also receive calls from people inquiring about our services after they have seen Peggy out and about with her clients. Peggy displays such a positive and professional attitude. She said, “I was told by a minister that Caregiving was my destiny and that God had a plan for me.”
Peggy was born in Hamilton, Iowa. She has lived in Carter Lake, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Michigan, and then came back to Des Moines. As a child, Peggy cared for her great aunt and later in life was able to care for her ex-mother-in-law. This is where Peggy gained her experience with Alzheimers and home care. Peggy was married for 20 years and raised two daughters, which have since moved away to Maine and New York. She also has two wonderful grandsons.
Peggy worked in Medicare for 21 years and she has been with Home Instead Senior Care for 9 years now! In her free time Peggy likes to do some needlework and likes to read. Her new hobby is making her own greeting cards! Peggy handmade one of her client’s Christmas cards last year! Peggy also introduced us to “Play Foam”, which is excellent for helping clients who have arthritis and is also a good stress reliever.
“Beyond Caring, compassion, and respect, listen and be there for your clients. They have so much to tell. My theory is, Go with the flow.”  Barb Williams Our January CAREGiver of the month is Barb Williams! Barb is so humble and asked for me to select a different CAREGiver for the month, but Barb we think you are fantastic! Barb came to us from Wisconsin where she also worked at a Home Instead Senior Care. However, Barb is originally from the Chicago area. She is married and has had three children. She has also been blessed with three grandchildren!
She still has three children at home, which are her two Chihuahuas, Bella and Spike, and her kitty, Gabby. Something Barb enjoys doing is running marathons! She has been a part of 8 marathons and has traveled around the country to participate. She has traveled as far as Boston. Barb also loves to cook and bake. She brought in her delicious Pasta Fazool to share with us at CAREGiver Night Out. Thank you so much Barb! It was delicious! Barb was on our CAREGiver Night Out committee and did an amazing job along with our other committee members. Barb has proven to be a dedicated and loving part of the Home Instead team.
We chose Barb as our January CAREGiver of the Month because of her willingness to pick up those extra shifts when we need her. She has been so dependable even when the weather has been a challenge. She is new to the area and is not sure where many things are, but with our help and her determination, she can always get to her client’s home without a hitch. Barb also stays in contact with the office regularly just to say hello and to see if we need any help filling shifts. Barb has such a big heart and is committed to providing exceptional experiences for her clients. Barb decided CAREGiving was a great career choice for her because she really enjoys working with older adults. She was also able to care for her mother and her father-in-law until they passed. They were blessed to have you!
“To know I have taken time to help someone have a good day and make them feel important is the most rewarding experience for me.” | 