Home Instead Senior Care
Charlotte

As Operations Manager, Jessica oversees the Staffing and Recruiting and Retention departments, ensuring that our hiring standards are met with exceptional CAREGivers and that we achieve perfect client and CAREGiver matches.

“I am especially touched by CAREGivers who come to Home Instead because of a personal caregiving experience.  One such person is Jennifer who has been with us for a year. Jennifer moved her own mother in with her and cared for her during the last 5 years of her life without any outside help.  Jennifer’s Mom had Parkinson’s and related dementia.  For Jennifer to turn around and come to Home Instead to make a difference in other people’s lives is tremendous. She really knows how to anticipate a client’s needs and to assist them in remaining independent. She knows dementia firsthand and has a heightened compassion because of her journey.  She is a calming presence for her clients and their families. To Jennifer, it really is personal.” 

As Client Relations Director Karen says this is her dream job because she loves working with clients, families and our CAREGivers to help older adults thrive in their homes.

“One of the most gratifying aspects of my job is being a witness to the incredible long term friendships that develops between a client and CAREGiver. One example is with our CAREGiver Joyce and client Ann who have been together for 4 years.  Ann’s husband and 2 children died.  Ann began to use our services one day a week but now has Joyce visit 3 days a week. Ann says she lives and breathes for the days that Joyce comes and believes she has lived so long because of Joyce’s friendship and assistance.  (Ann is 95.) She views Joyce as a friend, not a daughter because Ann says she can never replace her daughter.  Together Joyce and Ann go out for lunch, go to the grocery store, run errands, and go to doctor’s appointments.  Joyce also helps with cleaning, changing linens, and fixes her lunch when they don’t go out.  Joyce has planted plants in her planters, gets Ann’s mail, and sweeps her porch.  I feel so good when I visit Ann because I know how much this relationship means to both Ann and Joyce. This is one of the many stories that have touched my heart. I just love what I do.”

As an RN Laura’s focus is on the education of our CAREGivers as well as the support and education of our clients and their families. Laura does an excellent job in reinforcing skills for our CAREGivers so that they have the confidence to help clients during their transitions.

“Working with older adults to fulfill their wishes is so satisfying to me, especially when we partner with others in the community to achieve a person’s goal to remain at home.  One story that made an impact on me is Kenneth.  He was 85 and was released from rehab to go into hospice care during his final days with stage 4 cancer.  Kenneth’s son and daughter wanted him to go to hospice house but Kenneth really wanted to receive hospice care at home.  I was certain that we could accommodate Kenneth’s wishes. His adult children were skeptical but Kenneth was appreciative that I supported his decision. I told the son and daughter that I would be the first one to tell him if it wouldn’t work.  We worked with hospice. It was the most beautiful union of in-home care and hospice care to satisfy a person’s final wishes. After 2 or 3 days, the son and daughter were convinced that this was the right decision.  The daughter admitted that she was trying to make a decision at the time that seemed to be easier for her.  Additionally, Kenneth did not want a hospital bed but I told him he really needed one.  The next day he agreed to a hospital bed when he realized that it was best for his care.  Our CAREGivers provided him and his family with the most extraordinary care.  They engaged in many meaningful conversations with him about his life and legacy.  Ten days later, Kenneth died in his own home, under his own terms.  To me, it was so fulfilling to play a role in Kenneth’s wishes and to witness the great compassion and dignity our CAREGivers gave him.”

As part of the Recruiting and Retention team, Jackie helps Jessica in creating an exceptional team that truly cares for our seniors as if they were family.

“We work hard in our office to find the Perfect Match for a client and a CAREGiver. One such situation that I will always remember is with a new CAREGiver, Regina.  Mrs. P, our client, had difficulty communicating due to Parkinson’s disease.  A couple of CAREGivers were unable to understand her and became frustrated in working with her.  After Regina became her CAREGiver, they developed a bond and Regina was the only person who was able to understand her.  Even on her days off, Regina would help the office staff by interpreting messages to and from Mrs. P.  It really was quite something.”

Joy lives up to her name and offers much compassion in her role as Staffing Coordinator, ensuring Perfect Matches between clients and CAREGivers. 

“Clients and family members tell us all of the time how we make a difference in someone’s life.  One of our clients, Mr. M., was really not taking care of himself. He was eating frozen dinners and he was depressed following the loss of his daughter and wife in a short period of time.  Our CAREGiver Delores asked Mr. M. what kind of food he liked.  She went to the grocery store and purchased greens and sweet potatoes, corn, peas, and fish and asked Mr. M. to come sit with her in the kitchen while she cooked.  Mr. M smelled the food and Delores explained how she was preparing his favorite food. She encouraged him to enjoy the wonderful aromas of the food.  Mr. M ate for the first time in days. 

Because of Delores’ help, our Care Manager instructed his other CAREGivers to ask the right questions to determine other types of food Mr. M enjoyed. Mr. M. is doing much better and is eating healthier meals these days.”