Shannon Wygant, Franchise Owner
Waterford & Walled Lake Offices
I watched with excitement as my dad and the workers transformed the old loft above the garage into a small apartment for my Nana. Our bond grew deeper and deeper each year. My night for dinner was Wednesday and if I got the apples to her quick enough, I could count on a hot fresh pie for dessert. These wonderful experiences marked my childhood and eventually led me to make the best business decision I have ever made, to help others keep "Mom" at Home Instead. I am currently celebrating 10 years as a franchise owner, and I look forward to very many more to come!
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Barbara Marie Lubinski, C.N.S., R.N.
Quality Assurance Manager
Waterford & Walled Lake Offices
Since the age of 17, I have worked with the elderly in various contries in the world; 12 years in various parts of France, 5 years in Algeria, and 1 year in Istanbul, Turkey, before regaining the USA and Mobile, Alabama, Indianapolis, Indiana, Virginia, and finally, Michigan. Prior to joining the staff at Home Instead Senior Care, I worked for Oakland County Community Mental Health as a nurse case manager, and for Visiting Nurses of Southeast Michigan as a clinical nurse specialist counselor. This was followed by several years teaching psychiatric nursing. I have been with Home Instead Senior Care for the past 3 years. The things I like most are individual meetings with clients and/or their families, opportunities for counseling if they occur, and interaction with other staff and the CAREGivers. I believe firmly in the mission of Home Instead, and realize we have a fantastic chance to make a difference in the quality of the elderly we serve, and the families who look to us for respite and, sometimes, guidance.
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Marianne Halliday, Service Coordinator, Waterford Office
I became a part-time CAREGiver for Home Instead Senior Care in April of 2005. Soon afterwards, I added the duties of After Hours & Weekend Supervisor, assuring that the concerns of both clients and caregivers were attended to when the office was closed. Prior to my current position as Service Coordinator, I was the Quality Assurance Manager. This position was rewarding, as I was able to visit with our clients and get to know them. I had assisted in the care of my grandmother in her last year, and a few years later, I provided 24-hour care for my husband, following a cardiac arrest. We have been married for over 41 years, and we have 3 grown sons and 5 grandchildren, which I spend as much time with as possible. I enjoy gardening, scrapbooking and other paper crafts, reading, camping, & hiking! Over the years, I've worked in retail, owned a landscape company, and worked as an office manager, but Home Instead Senior Care has been the most rewarding: making a difference in the lives of seniors!
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Dawn Keene, Service Coordinator,
Walled Lake Office
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Debbie Ramsey, Administrative Assistant
Waterford & Walled Lake Offices
After 10 years as a working-at-home mother, I resumed my professional career with Home Instead Senior Care in 2008. My primary responsibilities focus on payroll and billing. Prior to the decision to remain at home, my B.S. in Marketing from Madonna University had provided me the experience necessary for a variety of customer service-oriented roles. The most recent position I held, prior to beginning a family, was with EDS as a Customer Service Specialist on the Chevrolet account. At home, currently my time and energy is devoted to my cherished role as a spouse and mother (high-school aged daughter and soon-to-be teen-aged son), and supporting their activities. As a Home Instead Senior Care team member, I particularly enjoy being a small behind-the-scenes part of the difference that our caregivers make in bringing smiles daily to the lives of our clients!
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Rebecca Cobb, Client Care Coordinator,
Waterford & Walled Lake Offices
Since I was a young girl, I've always felt God leading me to serve: to help others with gentleness, compassion, and understanding. I graduated Grand Valley State University with a degree in Psychology, Counseling & Child Development, and was pursing a career in Child & Family Counseling when Alzheimer's disease struck the most special man in my life: my grandfather. It shifted my focus entirely, to educating myself further on this disease, and how to make the last decade of his life with his family, one of peace and hope. It was in his honor and memory that I came to Home Instead Senior Care, first as a CAREGiver, and most recently as a staff member. As a CAREGiver, I found God unexpectedly would place me with hospice clients and their families who needed my support, and it transformed my passion into working particularly with end-of-life care. I found it to be a particular honor, to be given the opportunity to hand a loved one over to God himself, ushering them from this world, to the next. Most recently, I went back to school to obtain my Certified Nurse Assistant degree as well, to assist me in both caregiving and teaching. I'm blessed to be able to use my degree, my Alzheimer's background, and hospice CAREGiving skills, to be a vital member of our wonderful CAREGiver educational & skill training team. As the Client Care Coordinator, I strive every day to assure that all aspects of Home Instead run smoothly, and I'm constantly endeavoring to help provide a higher standard of care for our clients, and honing the skill and education of our caregivers. In my spare time, you can find me as a full-time mom to an aspiring ballerina, volunteering for Leader Dogs for the Blind & the Fire Department, gardening, and teaching Children's Ministries at our church. Working for Home Instead Senior Care has given me so many blessings and gifts, in the form of treasured clients and experiences, than I could have ever dreamed for, and I'm ever so grateful to be a part of the Home Instead Family!
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Lorraine Janes, Community Service Representative, Waterford Office
After spending 25 years as a newspaper representative, rushing around like a frazzled chicken, worrying about deadlines, copywriting, ad placement (women's knickers on the obituary page!), colour registration, and crazy people, I knew that when I could "retire", I would do something that actually made a difference. Four years ago, on the advice of my dear friend LaLa, I joined Home Instead Senior Care, and I still have a permanent smile on my face (mostly). One of the things I'm especially proud of is our Operation Medicine Cabinet, the prescription drug take-back program that partners with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. We began with only three drop-off locations, and now we have twenty. The program has received several awards, including the National Association of Counties Award for the most innovative program of the year! I only work part-time, and so this gives me time to spend with my family, who also share in my interests of antiquing, gardening, reading, and traveling. In short, you know how we like to analyze things: I feel as though I was mining coal in my past life....now I deliver flowers and receive them!
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Nancy Wasilk, Community Service Representative, Waterford Office
I have been working for Home Instead Senior Care for seven years as a Community Service Representative. It is my job to build relationships in the community, share information about Home Instead Senior Care, and let eveyrone know how valuable our services can be for seniors and their famiilies. My position with Home Instead Senior Care has made me aware of all the great people in our community who devote their time to providing services to seniors in the community. Before coming to Home Instead, I worked for the State of Michigan for 28 years, investigating and working with families involved in child abuse and adult abuse situations. I have always been passionate about working with people and helping them find ways to improve their lives. I have been married to my husband Len for 39 years. I have two great sons, two wonderful daughter-in-laws, and five loving grandchildren. My favorite pastime is spending time with my grandchildren. My goft game continues to be a challenge!
