North Houston (Change Location)

Mar 19, 2020

Family Caregiving Spurred Rose to Senior Care

Rose Broussard North Houston 232 QT One 2020 Photo 3
Rose has a big heart for kids and seniors. She worked in daycare for a number of years – including 11 for the same employer. Then Rose's father-in-law landed in the hospital. "I took care of him. I figured if I could take care of my father-in-law, I could take care of other seniors," Rose recalled. Helping her senior loved one wasn't her first attempt at family caregiving.

"Long before my father-in-law's situation, I had taken care of my 91-year-old mom, who had cancer, but I felt I was feeling my way through providing her care. For sure, it was more challenging. For one, Mom also was diabetic. But I was the one to take care of her," she said.

Rose's father-in-law died 18 months ago. In December 2018, Rose joined owner Cara Delgado's Home Instead Senior Care® franchise that serves north Houston, including Cypress, Jersey Village, Highlands, Hockley, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Spring, Tomball and Waller.

"I was looking online, and senior care is what I wanted," Rose explained. "Home Instead was friendly. The training was fantastic – I didn't think that was the case with other companies I had checked. I wanted help with my job because I wanted to get better at it. Ongoing training is great, including classes for Parkinson's and dementia care. We have troubleshooting sessions. I come away with more knowledge."

Rose added: "The office is flexible, an absolutely awesome staff. Starting with Chloe, Anjanette and Julia, I love all of them. Compared to some bosses I've had, it's like night and day. Some people wondered if I should try private-duty caregiving, but there are a lot of minuses with that. Home Instead is there for me because there are backups."

While pointing out she loves working with seniors, Rose said: "Emotionally, daycare is harder than senior care. Nine 2-year-olds don't care what you do for them. Seniors are appreciative, and the job is fulfilling. I am able to make life a little or a lot easier for them, depending on their challenges. One day I will need help with old-age challenges. I want the person who helps me to be just as diligent and patient with me as I am with my clients."

Rose, who was honored as CAREGiver of the Quarter, loves the humor, honesty and stories that emanate from seniors. "During the introduction with my first client, I asked her how she felt. She said, 'With my fingers.' She had quite a sense of humor, sharp and witty. I knew how to take her," Rose said.

With Alzheimer's, the client sometimes couldn't find her bedroom. "She was aware of her memory lapses, so there was frustration. She lived in a mother-in-law suite with her daughter and son-in-law. She would ask, 'Where is my house?' She was on hospice, and someone was scheduled to bathe her. Since she wanted only me to help with bathing, they canceled that part of the hospice service. I am glad I was there when she needed someone," Rose said.

With 13-hour shifts twice a week, Rose helped the client for about six months before she passed away. "Before she died, it was clear she was ready to go. When I experience those situations, I am happy for them, as strange as it may sound. It is sad for us, but they are no longer suffering," Rose said.

Rose's caregiving situations vary widely with different challenges, so she prepares to face just about anything when she walks in the clients' doors.

A man in his 80s has mobility challenges and needs a gait belt. He has a loud personality, a take-charge attitude that does not bother Rose. He is always grateful for Rose's help. The client's wife has Alzheimer's, and Rose helps her with medication reminders. She is a delicate personality who can become agitated. "They are two individuals with different needs," Rose pointed out.

Another client resides in an assisted living community. She refuses to allow anyone in the facility to help her bathe – Rose is the only one. "I assist her with showers and sit with her. It takes a solid hour for her to eat. The CNAs are too busy for that," Rose said.

Rose packs extra clothes for shifts with an active client because they might garden or do something such as a garage cleaning. "She does a lot, especially for someone who has Parkinson's. She takes a medication every four hours, so we set an alarm on the cellphone for the reminders. She's pretty self-sufficient, but she doesn't like to be alone. She's worried about falling," Rose said.

"I drive her around a lot. We go to the park, where she says, 'I need to walk.' She uses a walker and is fast with it. We watch the turtles and try to identify the birds. She goes to a balance class at her church and also a Bible study and a circle meeting. She wants to remain on the go, and that's really what this job is all about – helping the clients live their best life."

All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (281) 789-0419 or apply online at https://www.homeinstead.com/232/home-care-jobs. For further information about Home Instead Senior Care, visit our website at https://www.homeinstead.com/232. Our Home Instead Senior Care office, at 13105 Northwest Freeway, Suite 103, Houston, Texas 77040, serves north Houston, including Cypress, Jersey Village, Highlands, Hockley, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Spring, Tomball and WallerRose has a big heart for kids and seniors. She worked in daycare for a number of years – including 11 for the same employer. Then Rose's father-in-law landed in the hospital. "I took care of him. I figured if I could take care of my father-in-law, I could take care of other seniors," Rose recalled. Helping her senior loved one wasn't her first attempt at family caregiving.Rose Broussard North Houston 232 QT One 2020 Photo 3.jpg

"Long before my father-in-law's situation, I had taken care of my 91-year-old mom, who had cancer, but I felt I was feeling my way through providing her care. For sure, it was more challenging. For one, Mom also was diabetic. But I was the one to take care of her," she said.

Rose's father-in-law died 18 months ago. In December 2018, Rose joined owner Cara Delgado's Home Instead Senior Care® franchise that serves north Houston, including Cypress, Jersey Village, Highlands, Hockley, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Spring, Tomball and Waller.

"I was looking online, and senior care is what I wanted," Rose explained. "Home Instead was friendly. The training was fantastic – I didn't think that was the case with other companies I had checked. I wanted help with my job because I wanted to get better at it. Ongoing training is great, including classes for Parkinson's and dementia care. We have troubleshooting sessions. I come away with more knowledge."

Rose added: "The office is flexible, an absolutely awesome staff. Starting with Chloe, Anjanette and Julia, I love all of them. Compared to some bosses I've had, it's like night and day. Some people wondered if I should try private-duty caregiving, but there are a lot of minuses with that. Home Instead is there for me because there are backups."

While pointing out she loves working with seniors, Rose said: "Emotionally, daycare is harder than senior care. Nine 2-year-olds don't care what you do for them. Seniors are appreciative, and the job is fulfilling. I am able to make life a little or a lot easier for them, depending on their challenges. One day I will need help with old-age challenges. I want the person who helps me to be just as diligent and patient with me as I am with my clients."

Rose, who was honored as CAREGiver of the Quarter, loves the humor, honesty and stories that emanate from seniors. "During the introduction with my first client, I asked her how she felt. She said, 'With my fingers.' She had quite a sense of humor, sharp and witty. I knew how to take her," Rose said.

With Alzheimer's, the client sometimes couldn't find her bedroom. "She was aware of her memory lapses, so there was frustration. She lived in a mother-in-law suite with her daughter and son-in-law. She would ask, 'Where is my house?' She was on hospice, and someone was scheduled to bathe her. Since she wanted only me to help with bathing, they canceled that part of the hospice service. I am glad I was there when she needed someone," Rose said.

With 13-hour shifts twice a week, Rose helped the client for about six months before she passed away. "Before she died, it was clear she was ready to go. When I experience those situations, I am happy for them, as strange as it may sound. It is sad for us, but they are no longer suffering," Rose said.

Rose's caregiving situations vary widely with different challenges, so she prepares to face just about anything when she walks in the clients' doors.

A man in his 80s has mobility challenges and needs a gait belt. He has a loud personality, a take-charge attitude that does not bother Rose. He is always grateful for Rose's help. The client's wife has Alzheimer's, and Rose helps her with medication reminders. She is a delicate personality who can become agitated. "They are two individuals with different needs," Rose pointed out.

Another client resides in an assisted living community. She refuses to allow anyone in the facility to help her bathe – Rose is the only one. "I assist her with showers and sit with her. It takes a solid hour for her to eat. The CNAs are too busy for that," Rose said.

Rose packs extra clothes for shifts with an active client because they might garden or do something such as a garage cleaning. "She does a lot, especially for someone who has Parkinson's. She takes a medication every four hours, so we set an alarm on the cellphone for the reminders. She's pretty self-sufficient, but she doesn't like to be alone. She's worried about falling," Rose said.

"I drive her around a lot. We go to the park, where she says, 'I need to walk.' She uses a walker and is fast with it. We watch the turtles and try to identify the birds. She goes to a balance class at her church and also a Bible study and a circle meeting. She wants to remain on the go, and that's really what this job is all about – helping the clients live their best life."

All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (281) 789-0419 or apply online at https://www.homeinstead.com/232/home-care-jobs. For further information about Home Instead Senior Care, visit our website at https://www.homeinstead.com/232. Our Home Instead Senior Care office, at 13105 Northwest Freeway, Suite 103, Houston, Texas 77040, serves north Houston, including Cypress, Jersey Village, Highlands, Hockley, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Spring, Tomball and Waller

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