Meet Our Team

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Denise moved to the United States in 1993. After years of caring for people as a registered nurse in the emergency room and the intensive care unit, Denise understands the dedication, commitment, and compassion it takes to be a Care Professional. Her decision to become a Home Instead franchise owner was tied to her belief that she could provide quality, life-enhancing care to older adults in their own homes.

Farrah joined Home Instead in 2009 as the General Manager with extensive management experience in business operations, sales and marketing. Farrah is responsible for the daily business operations and prides herself on creating a positive experience for clients while supporting our exceptional team of Care Professionals. She has a deep appreciation for the life changing impact quality in-home care can have on older adults. Home Instead’s Person Centered Care helps forge a deeper connection between our clients and their caregivers. Farrah is a native of the South Bay, attended El Camino College and received her B.A. in Social Science from Wheaton College in Illinois. She is also an avid Star Trek fan who keeps happily busy with her husband, their two children and their two dogs.

Ilona joined Home Instead in 2007 as a Care Coordinator. Now, as Key Relationship Manager, Ilona meets with perspective clients, conducts Quality Assurance Visits and offers support and resources to clients, their families and Care Professionals. She also acts as a liaison between Home Instead and the vendors we partner with like SCAN and Beach Cities Health District. Our clients and caregivers alike adore her because of her ability to connect genuinely with people and her clear passion for serving older adults. Prior to her arrival at Home Instead, Ilona spent ten years as an Ombudsman advocating for seniors in Skilled Nursing Facilities and Residential Care Facilities. A native Michigander, Ilona is also an entrepreneur who founded Etta's Strudel with her two sons, a family business they proudly run together.

Sandy joined Home Instead in 2016 as a Care Professional after having worked for many years as a restaurant manager. She was quickly promoted to Staffing Coordinator in 2017 where she hit the ground running as the person who oversees scheduling. Sandy forges strong relationships with our Care Professionals. When she assigns a Care Pro to a client she considers not only schedules, but skills, needs and personalities. She cares deeply about finding the right fit because she is committed to enriching the lives of the older adults we serve. Sandy, recently married, is a South Bay native who is a gifted photographer, an avid movie goer and always up for a road trip.

Norma joined Home Instead in 2018 having worked in a variety of office environments, including another home care agency where she learned the basics of the industry. Norma keeps the office running smoothly with her various administrative duties which range from ordering office supplies to walking prospective clients through all that we offer with sensitivity and kindness during initial phone inquiries. She is also the person in charge of keeping all Care Professionals in compliance. That means making sure all Care Pros are up to date with annual trainings, health screenings, car insurance and Home Care Aide certification. Norma’s creative outlets include jewelry making, oil painting and photography.

Griselda joined Home Instead in 2021 as part of the Client Care Team. She came from another home care agency where she worked for 15 years, starting as a caregiver and then quickly moving up to a Coordinator and then a Supervisor. Griselda has invaluable hands-on experience and works to make sure all of our Care Professionals have the skills required to support their clients’ varied needs. She is a natural problem solver and has strong bonds with our caregivers who become family to her. Griselda enjoys watching her grandson’s games, cooking, ice skating and date nights with her husband where they can cut loose dancing salsa and merengue.

Jessica joined Home instead in 2022. Having spent 21 years caring for the elders in her own family, she knows what it’s like for her client’s family members and she appreciates being able to give them a sense of ease. As a Client Care Coordinator, Jessica walks new clients and their families through what we have to offer, determines the best care plan to meet their needs and then checks in periodically to make sure things are running smoothly. She also acts as the liaison between the Care Professionals and their new clients. Jessica makes sure the caregivers have all they need in place to do their job effectively. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching movies, cooking, attending her daughter’s softball games and being with her family.

Christen joined Home Instead in 2019 as a Care Professional. Her experience as a writer and performer as well as the extensive training offered by Home Instead, helped her succeed in the satisfying work she does today. Christen specializes in caring for clients with Alzheimers and Dementia, so the ability to pivot in an instant to meet someone where they are in their disease and redirect them if needed, comes naturally to her. In 2021, she took on the additional role of Engagement and Retention Coordinator. She now runs trainings, facilitates team building events and writes both the Care Professional and Client and Family Newsletters. Originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, she now lives in the South Bay with her husband and their soon to be college bound daughter. She loves board games, yoga and roller skating.