 Melissa C. –December CAREGiver of the Month Genuine, kind hearted and exceptional is how to describe Melissa and the work she does for Home Instead Senior Care. Melissa is a perfect example of an individual who was placed on this earth to care for others and put a smile on everyone’s face with her boisterous laugh and broad sense of humor.
Melissa joined Home Instead Senior Care in November 2011 as the Client CARE Coordinator. Since then the ball has been rolling and our clients and CAREGivers could not be happier. Melissa is diligent and pro-active when it comes to making sure everyone’s needs are met.
Melissa had six years of staffing experience at her previous job, but it lacked the client interaction she craved. Melissa has been able to fulfill her desire to work closely with people by working with our Home Instead clients. Melissa truly enjoys meeting each client, getting to know them and their families, and involving herself in the CAREGiver’s lives. She always has an ear to lend or a shoulder to cry on, if they need anything.
Melissa has a blessed life outside the office where she enjoys time with her 2, school-aged daughters. They are the pride and joy of her life. Together they enjoy baking, shooting guns, camping, fishing and spending quality time together. Melissa lives life to the fullest.
Melissa feels blessed that she has been given the opportunity to work at Home Instead Senior Care and satisfy her “calling in life,” which she says is to help others in need.
Thank you Melissa for your dedication and hard work. Congratulations!
  Lisa B. – November CAREGiver of the Month We are very pleased to have Lisa as CAREGiver of the Month for November. Lisa’s kind heart, strong determination and compassion for others are what make her so special.
Lisa joined Home Instead Senior Care in March of 2011 with the intent to become a CAREGiver after her grandfather passed away of Alzheimer’s disease in 2010. Lisa worked previously as a Director for a large educational childcare facility for 8 years. She decided to change her career path from taking care of children to working with seniors after she had the rewarding experience of being able to help with the care of her grandfather while he remained still at home.
Lisa worked with a single client and the office staff at the same time and then was moved into the office as the Administrative Assistant where she is like the mother hen of the office making sure that everyone is always being taken care of. She goes above and beyond her own tasks to make sure that the Home Instead office is running smoothly.
Lisa comes from a strong country family background where she learned the value of strength thru God and family. Lisa’s path of caring for others has always being genuine. Her natural care and positive outlook on life has reached out and touched others personally and professionally.
When Lisa is not at the office she is spending time with her husband and daughter. Together they enjoy outside activities such as; going on family camping trips, hunting, fishing and hiking. Lisa also enjoys other hobbies including crocheting scarves, baking and her new found love of making homemade body care products.
Lisa has been a wonderful addition to our staff. Congratulations and thank you for all your hard work and dedication!!!  Suzanne D. – September CAREGiver of the Month
Suzanne comes to us with southern charm, whit, sarcasm and expertise in elderly care. We are very proud to have Suzanne as not only part of our CAREGiving staff, but also part of our office staff as she is our Registered Nurse.
Suzanne is originally from the blue grass state of Kentucky. She moved to Idaho in 2011 to live with her son and daughter in law. Her son proudly serves in the military at the Mountain Home, Idaho Air Force base and asked Suzanne to move to Idaho to help raise her grandchildren.
Suzanne began working with Home Instead in August of 2011. Suzanne’s goal is to work in a rewarding environment which can be part-time to help make a positive difference in people’s lives. Suzanne is not only our Registered Nurse, she also teaches our trainings, gives memory tests, does home assessment visits and is one of our CAREGivers when needed. She serves as a resource for the agency and for the other CAREGivers as needed.
Suzanne is an upbeat woman who has many passions in life including reading books, listening to classical music, playing the viola (when she can) and being an influential part of her family’s life.
Thank you Suzanne for being such a wonderful addition to our team and always keeping us on our heels with your wonderful personality.
.jpg) Christine H. – August CAREGiver of the Month You don’t have to talk long to Christine to find she is a wonderful woman who is not only a devoted daughter, mother and wife, but a devoted member of society.
Chris’s strong faith and relationship with her family is what opened her eyes to working with the senior community. Chris had the privilege to care for her sick grandmother during her final days. After her grandmother’s death, Chris felt a push from God to work with seniors and started to research how she could make this goal become reality.
Chris worked 3 years as a volunteer for the not-for-profit organization, Friends in Action. As a volunteer, Chris was able to help provide caregiver relief for a few hours for families of elderly, frail seniors who could not afford respite care. Chris enjoyed being able to help those in need, especially those poverty stricken.
After a break from Friends in Action, Chris started again to discover how she could help her community. She found Home Instead Senior Care and has been with us now for a little over a year. During this time she has had the privilege to work with a few unique clients. Chris and had the opportunity to share her laughter, vibrant personality and positive outlook with her clients to create some wonderful memories.
Outside of work, Chris is very family driven. She has been married for 29 years and has raised 2 children. Some of her hobbies are waterskiing, snow skiing, camping at various spots around Idaho, and just being a good wife and mother.
Thank you, Chris for being an inspiring and exceptional CAREGiver that exemplifies your commitment and compassion to this industry.
 Bernice R. – July CAREGiver of the Month Congratulations Bernice! Bernice is an amazing young woman that works hard to ensure her clients always receive exceptional care. She is dependable, consistent, and proactive. We always know that we can count on Bernice to provide excellent care and put the needs of her clients first.
Bernice has worked with Home Instead Senior Care for 1 year and has worked with the same clients since she began. Her clients care is precise and particular. Bernice knows exactly the steps needed to ensure a safe and consistent home for them and never deviates away from what she feels is best for the client.
Bernice, originally from California, moved to Idaho in 2009 with her husband, of 18 years, and two children. Bernice has a 14 year background in child development in which she managed and owned daycare facilities. She then decided that she wanted to make a change and begin helping with the senior population. Bernice said, “I am not able to be with my parents, as they are still in California, therefore I want to make a difference and give back to those I can help. I hope that sometime, if the time comes, that someone would do the same for my parents with the absence of me”.
Bernice’s passions and hobbies are her two high school daughters. Her daughters belong to a traveling softball team in which she has become a “team mom” doing volunteer work and helping as the team’s travel coordinator. Bernice is a very busy and passionate woman that loves to make a difference in everyone’s lives.
We feel very blessed to have Bernice as one of our CAREGivers. When asked why she loves working with Home Instead, she simply said, “I would not want to work for anyone else! There is a great support system, the staff is honest and very flexible with my family schedule and I get to help others”.
Congratulations and thank you Bernice for being an exceptional part of our team, we appreciate all you do!!!
 Reina H. - June 2012 CAREgiver of the Month
Congratulations Reina, our June CAREGiver of the Month. Reina is an amazing young woman that has a vibrant energetic personality. She is outspoken, outgoing and keeps her client rejuvenated. Reina also has a gentle nature, and a willingness to go above and beyond to ensure her client is well cared for with a soft touch and loving hand.
Reina has been with Home Instead for about 1 year and has done an exceptional job since the day she began. Currently Reina works with 1 client whom has Parkinson’s disease. Reina has encouraged her client to laugh and look at the bright side of life. Reina stated that one of the best things about working with her client is that she gets to distract her from her daily pain and disease by focusing her on laughter. When Reina gets her client to laugh and enjoy life, she knows she is doing a wonderful job as a CAREGiver.
Reina and her husband moved from San Diego, California to Idaho in 2007 to raise their children. They wanted to be in a place where they could enjoy nature and trees. Reina’s passions outside of work include being with her family, photography, scrapbooking, cooking, reading and getting some extra sleep when she is able. Reina is also big into fundraising and being involved in her community. Last year Reina raised the most money on our team and helped Home Instead be the #1 team in fundraising for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Thank you Reina for all you do for Home Instead and congratulations, you deserve it!
 Carol M. - May 2012 CAREgiver of the Month We would like to say Thank You to Carol for being an outstanding CAREGiver! Carol is an exceptional CAREGiver with a kind heart and strong determination to help the elderly and people in need. Carol is always dependable, reliable and positive. Carol goes above and beyond doing her regular schedule as well as filling in for last minute shifts. We can always depend on Carol and could not ask for a better team member.
Carol is well traveled being born in Germany and moving to States when she was 18 months old. Carol was raised in Evansville, Indiana and her family moved to the west in 1976 where she lived in Alaska and then in Idaho in 1980.
Carol has always been in the medical / caring field. When her late husband passed away Carol decided to get her certification as a certified surgical technician. She worked at St Al’s for many years and after retiring decided that she wanted to help people as a CAREGiver. Thankfully she came to Home Instead.
Carol started with Home Instead Senior Care in July 2011. Her favorite thing about being a CAREGiver is that her clients are so thankful and genuinely gracious for her to be there and help them. She loves the interaction and the smile that she puts on her clients faces.
Outside of Home Instead, Carol loves the arts. She also loves to sew, cook, bake and browse through the local thrift stores. Carol also spends her time taking care of her mother and her granddaughter who have both recently moved in with her.
Carol has been a wonderful addition to our team and is very
deserving of CAREGiver of the Month for May. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
 Debbie C. - April 2012 CAREGiver of the Month Congratulations Debbie! Debbie always has a great attitude and is a very caring, positive person who makes her client feel special and needed. Debbie has worked with the same client since she began in May 2011. Her client has dementia and relies on Debbie with her presence and comfort to get thru her days. Debbie takes pride in making sure that her client has little to no stress whether that being in her clients personal life, financial life or just the day to day routine. Debbie and her client are like two peas in a pod – or like sisters in another life, they love being together. Debbie takes her client out on fun outings and shopping daily, as this is one of their favorite activities to get out of the home and enjoy each day.
Debbie is a very patient and kind CAREGiver and is always
willing to step forward at a last minute situation with no complaints. She has also stepped up and helped out the office when needed. She is very well rounded and a wonderful presence to be around.
Debbie is originally from Southern California and moved to Idaho in 2004 because her father passed away and she needed a change. When she came to Idaho she started helping those around her and started in the caregiving field. Since then she has also attended Carrington College to further her education in the medical field thru medical coding and phlebotomy.
When Debbie is not working she enjoys her many hobbies of gardening, sewing , wood work and keeping up on her enjoyment of mystery novels.
Thank you Debbie for being an outstanding CAREGiver and bringing a smiling face to your job each day!!
 Sonya H. - March 2012 CAREGiver of the Month Congratulations to Sonya H, our March 2012 CAREGiver of the Month. Sonya has been with Home Instead for a year and has been an exceptional CAREGiver from day one. Sonya is considerate, conscientious and dependable. We have always been able to count on Sonya to help without hesitation. The care Sonya brings to her clients is impeccable. She is a soft spoken, compassionate, loving woman that our clients are lucky to have.
Sonya was raised in the small town of Peirce, Idaho. This is located in the North Central part of Idaho best known for being a gold rush town. Sonya grew up with small town values and the importance of how to love your neighbor. While in Pierce, Sonya met the love of her life and has been married for 21 years. Together they have raised two grown children.
Becoming a CAREGiver was easy for Sonya. Sonya states, “Ever since I was little I have loved to help people.” Sonya was first able to start helping seniors in 1998 at an assisted living facility. From there she helped her mother and then continued her service with Home Instead.
Sonya’s favorite thing about being a CAREGiver is being able to listen to the stories and memories her clients share with her. She loves having that listening ear and being the person to help them with whatever needs they may have.
Sonya has many passions outside of being a CAREGiver. She loves to get lost in mystery novels, listen to music and go fishing and camping. Her favorite activity is to go back home to Pierce, to walk through the woods. She states, “it is calming and refreshing to listen to the wildlife.”
Thank you, Sonya for being an outstanding CAREGiver! You bring calmness, peace and love everyday when you go to a client’s home.
 Cheryl L. - February 2012 CAREGiver of the Month We are proud to announce our February CAREGiver of the Month, Cheryl L. Cheryl’s genuine care and concern for others is what makes her a remarkable woman and CAREGiver. Cheryl states, “I became a CAREGiver with Home Instead because I have a servant’s heart and I feel it is important to reach out and help others in this world. Life is about the people you meet and can help take of.”
Cheryl has been with Home Instead Senior Care for over a year. She works with one client who has Parkinson’s. Cheryl makes sure that every day is as pleasant as she can make it for her client, who suffers from speech and walking difficulties from the disease.
Cheryl is originally from California and moved to Idaho in 1986 to raise her family in Idaho. Cheryl enjoys many hobbies including cooking, crocheting, painting and riding horses. She states, “Having these hobbies has been wonderful because I can use these interests with my client to possibly teach them something new. My relationship with my client is always give and take. In fact right now my client is teaching me all about plants. – I love it!”
Thank you, Cheryl for being an amazing CAREGiver!!!  Rick A – January 2012 CAREGiver of the Month Congratulations to our January 2012 CAREGiver of the Month, Rick! Rick is an exceptional CAREGiver that gives 110% with his clients. Rick is very attentive and outstanding when it comes to personal details, making a client feel good about themselves and bringing smiles to his client’s faces. We would like to commend Rick on his diligence to keep his clients not only happy, but safe.
Rick has been with Home Instead for a year and stated, “I love this line of work! It brings me joy to help out those who need an extra hand. I love listening to my clients wonderful stories and hearing about the lives they have lead”.
Rick retired early to spend more time with his grand kids and watch them grow up. Rick is a motorcycle enthusiast and loves to ride and rebuild motorcycles, and he also loves to go boating and fishing.
Rick is an amazing, well rounded man. He puts the needs of others first and because of this has built wonderful relationships with his clients. Thank you Rick, for being such an outstanding CAREGiver.  Sherie C. - December 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Sherie is a wonderful addition to our team! She is an outstanding woman that loves to put others’ needs ahead of her own. Sherie is hardworking, passionate about her job, and very loving. She has been working with Home Instead for 2 years and has kept a warm heart and smile every day. Sheri has cared for her one client full time for the past 2 years. Sherie states, “I live life in a positive light and like to live everyday to the fullest. I believe when you live this way, you get the most out of life.”
Sherie has strong family values. She raised 3 children and now is raising her grandson, which she states has been one of the most joyful times her life. Sherie says having her grandson around has helped give her the positive can-do attitude. When Sherie is not being a CAREGiver, you can catch her out and about doing the hobby she loves best, photography.
We would like to thank Sherie for being a strong CAREGiver and inspiring those around her to live a better life.  Kathy H. - November 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Kathy is an outstanding CAREGiver, who is dedicated and passionate about working for Home Instead. Kathy has been working with the same two clients for the last year. She does such an excellent job that one family has now requested Kathy provide services for their own personal needs as well. Kathy is always willing to go the extra mile and help provide coverage for her clients, being flexible working around families schedules to meet the client’s needs. Thank you Kathy for doing such an amazing job and ensuring your clients are taken care of.  Darlene M. - October 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Darlene M. is the Home Instead Senior Care’s CAREgiver of the Month!
Darlene has been with Home Instead for nearly a year now. She is very proactive and always sensitive to her client’s needs. Dalene's heart is truly into caregiving and it shows in the quality care she provides for her clients.
Darlene can also be found pitching in with her ‘can-do’ attitude when other caregivers have called in sick. Darlene is quick to respond to caregiver vacancies and give clients first rate attention.
 Barbara C. - September 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Barbara C. is Home Instead Senior Care’s CAREGiver of the Month! We can’t say enough about her! She’s been with Home Instead for nearly a year now. She has passion for her work, drive to give her clients the best in caregiver service and integrity in her work ethic.
Our confidence in Barbara’s ability to work and represent the company shows with a list of seven clients she currently cares for. An excellent role model, Barbara can also be found pitching in with her ‘can-do’ attitude when other caregivers have become ill and needed their shift covered.
Barbara is quick to give clients first rate attention. She has been married to her husband Jon for 38 years. In 1988 they adopted three young children from Columbia. Today, those children range in age from 28 to 30 and are “…productive, wonderful people” said Barbara. She enjoys sewing of any kind, crafting, sculpting and making jewelry. When asked why she caregives Barbara said, “It’s the best job I’ve ever had. It’s a two-way reward. For my minor effort, I’ve gained an extended family, another mom and more joy”.
A coworker recently mentioned, “Barbara is the kind of person that goes to work giving 150 percent” and we agree.
We’re so pleased you’re with us Barbara!  Diana G. - August 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Diana Girard, a compassionate and caring individual, has been chosen for Home Instead Senior Care August 2011 CAREGiver of the month. Diana’s work style serves as a continued reminder of why we love this business. Illustrating her perfect fit for CAREGiving, Diana has been caring for her special needs son for 16 years. Diana cares for three clients in the Meridian area whom express appreciation for Diana and her skills. Diana always looks to provide more, which accounts for taking our additional Alzheimer’s training. When asked why she loves working with her clients, Diana said, “I have learned so much about caring for people and myself because of this experience. It’s a great family here at Home Instead Senior Care." We're glad you’re here too, Diana.  Catherine "Cat" M - July 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Catherine “Cat” Meyers is a standout leader and July CAREGiver of the month! Before coming to Home Instead Senior Care in March 2011, Cat had close, personal experience helping loved ones with Alzheimer’s and leukemia. She grew to love those suffering from memory issues that come with aging. Tracy Sevy, Client CARE Coordinator at Home Instead has energy when talking about Cat, “She’s an amazing caregiver, and she makes clients feel comfortable when working with them”! Cat cares for five clients in the Mountain Home and Grandview areas, and she’s completed additional training to care for Medicaid clients as well. When asked why she loves working with her clients, Cat said, “There’s so much to say. They’re more than clients to me; they’re close friends and important to my life”. A comment like this says she’s in caregiving for all the right reasons.
Cat used to enjoy and compete in endurance horse riding. Today, she enjoys working with her husband, Devin, on her Father-in-law’s farm and riding horses. Cat and her husband live in Mountain Home, Idaho.  Shirley L - June 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Home Instead Senior Care is proud to announce Shirley Lester as the June 2011 CAREGiver of the Month! Shirley has been with Home Instead more than a year, providing exceptional care for four clients. When asked why she enjoys caregiving, Shirley responded, “I like my clients to know someone cares, and Home Instead believes in that too. That’s why I work [at Home Instead]”. “A love for clients is a critical piece when hiring caregivers,” says Tracy Sevy, Client CARE Coordinator, “Shirley has maintained a love for our clients over time, which proves her strength to the Home Instead family”. Shirley enjoys sewing, crocheting, and quilting. Way to go Shirley! Your personal strength lifts others in your work at Home Instead. Thank you!
The Home Instead Family
 Christina G. - May 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Christina is an outstanding and dedicated CAREGiver. She is very conscientious and proactive with engaging and caring for her clients, even for 6:30 a.m. shift calls! Always dependable and going the extra mile, Christina is truly passionate about her job and her clients. As Christina aspires to be an EMT, her traits and skills will serve her well through her career and her life.
Christina loves working for Home Instead Senior Care, she is one of our biggest CAREGiver fans –often when Christina comes in the office to turn in her documents, she’ll be the one singing, “I love my job! I love my clients! I love this place”!
Likewise, we love having Christina as a member of our Home Instead family! Thank you, Christina!  Terri F. - April 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Congratulations to our April 2011 CAREGiver of the month, Terri F.! Terri is an exceptional, dedicated, and compassionate CAREGiver as she always gives each client her best. Terri enjoys working with all our clients, is dependable and faithful, always going above and beyond to make sure the client’s needs are met. Thank you Terri for always being flexible and willing to go the extra mile to provide coverage for our clients. Terri, you are always willing to help on short notice and cover shifts for your fellow employees, you are an asset to our company, thank you.
 Justin G. - March 2011 CAREGiver of the Month Please meet Justin G. Justin has been with our company for almost 1 year now. His client had suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury a couple of years ago and requires a full time CAREGiver. Justin has been dependable and faithful with his service going over and above to educate himself on this type of care and taking a personal approach to his clients daily improvements.
Justin takes just as much pride in his client’s achievements as the client does himself. Justin has a trusted and respectful relationship with the client’s family and they let us know every time we speak how much they appreciate Justin.
Way to go Justin. Thank you for all you do!  Patricia B. - February 2011 CAREGiver of the Month We would like to introduce you to Patricia B. Patricia has been an outstanding CAREGiver for our company by being able and willing to work all types of clients. She has been put to the test with a client dealing with aggression that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has provided a consistent and secure environment for the client and respite for the family while the family was trying different forms of medication behavior management techniques.
Patricia also added several over night shifts to her already busy schedule with no notice to help her client that was robbed in the middle of the night. The client stated that she can rest comfortably knowing Patricia is in her home keeping her safe!
Thank you Patricia for all you do to ensure your clients are happy, healthy, and safe!  Mark I. - January 2011 CAREGiver of the Month It is our sincere pleasure to introduce our CAREGiver of the Month, Mark I. Mark is an exceptional CAREGiver always going above and beyond. One of the many things Mark has done to go the extra mile for his client is teaching himself how to cook. Not just simple meals but gourmet meals that his client thoroughly enjoys. Mark get’s his client out to exercise, go for drives, and having him feel like a part of his community thus engaging him in his life to the fullest. We are very fortunate to have Mark on our team!
 Eric B. our November 2010 CAREGiver of the Month It is our pleasure to introduce to everyone Eric B., our CAREGiver of the month. Eric works with a gentleman with Alzheimer’s who recently lost his wife. A client dealing with both of these issues takes a patient, compassionate, and educated CAREGiver. Eric has attended all the Home Instead Senior Care training and reaches out for additional assistance and training when needed.
Eric states that he loves helping someone that really needs his help and he loves feeling like a part of his client’s family. When speaking with Eric about his experiences this past year he is quoted as saying, “I’ve learned that being a CAREGiver isn’t always an easy job, but the feeling I get from doing it is indescribable”. “Being a CAREGiver has opened my eyes and given me knowledge and wisdom I wouldn’t have otherwise learned”.
Eric drives over 150 miles and spends 4.5 days in a row to help his client. Thank you Eric for being so devoted to your client and always giving your best. We appreciate you!!!  Carolyn H. our September 2010 CAREGiver of the month We are pleased to announce that Carolyn H. is our September 2010 CAREGiver of the month. CAREGiving comes easy for Carolyn as she is a mother of 6 adult children, 11 grandchildren, and 1 husband of almost 40 years! Carolyn took on a 12 hour over night shift on a moment’s notice that was only supposed to last for a week or so and turned out to be months. She worked 7 days a week and made arrangements for someone else to run her personal sewing business so she could meet the needs of her client. Carolyn says she loves taking care of her senior clients and takes pride in caring for them as though they were her own parent or grandparent. Carolyn is quoted stating, “I feel I am in their home as much for their advocacy as to fulfill their need for companionship, friendship, personal assistance, homemaker and meal provider.”
Thank you Carolyn for providing such quality service to all your clients!
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