Ericka Gives Caregiving Another Chance,
Thrives as a Home Instead Care Pro
In Ericka Talley-Joseph’s mind, her first attempt at professional caregiving years ago was unsuccessful. The situation left her with a sour taste, so much so that she turned to the retail world to make a living. A little more than a year ago, Ericka felt her heart pulling her toward a job where she could use her compassion and empathy to help vulnerable adults. That’s when Ericka found Home Instead® of Philadelphia in a job search.
The award-winning Home Instead franchise is guided by Co-owner and Chief Executive Officer Steve Levin, and Co-owner and Chief Operations Officer Charlea Lyn Grieco. Taking a position as one of their Care Professionals turned out to be a godsend for Ericka.
Ericka admitted: “I actually was debating about seeking a job as a professional caregiver because I had a bad experience years ago. I had juggled jobs between working in retail and as a home health aide because I love taking care of people. I was working in retail just before finding Home Instead. When I read about Home Instead, I ultimately decided to give professional caregiving another try because everything Home Instead described about its agency made me feel comfortable and welcome. My feeling paid off.”
Ericka’s year as a Home Instead Care Pro impressed her clients and their family members, who passed along compliments about her to the Home Instead office staff. On Jan. 16, 2024, Home Instead Service Manager Janelle Muhlanga had great news for Ericka: She had been selected as the franchise’s Care Pro of the Month for February. It was fitting that Ericka’s big heart was being celebrated during the Valentine Month.
Among the considerations for achieving Care Pro of the Month status, an employee has shown she has gone above and beyond the call of duty, Janelle pointed out. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Ericka embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.” She is someone who is exceptional at her work with any client, Janelle emphasized.
For Ericka, touching lives impacts her soul, whether she is providing physical help such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders or personal care or if she is offering emotional support in a companionship role. Focusing on Home Instead’s training, processes and procedures of successful caregiving helped Ericka achieve Care Pro of the Month status.
Quite often, the seeds of compassionate care for seniors find their genesis in a person’s youth, when he or she has bonded with older family members, including great-grandparents or grandparents. But that wasn’t the case with Ericka. “I never took care of a grandparent, but when I was growing up, I helped take care of my younger siblings,” said Ericka, pointing to the fact that she’s always had a heart for someone who needs a friend and possibly a little help. Home Instead has nurtured Ericka’s desire to help seniors in the best way possible.
“I like that everybody in the Home Instead office makes me feel comfortable, and they don’t push me over the edge as far as scheduling goes. They have talked me through tough situations, and they are very understanding. They are good coaches, mentors and friends,” Ericka said.
“You get all kinds of different clients. You love them all. My favorite story is about one of my clients named Mr. B. and his talk of divergent interests when he was younger. He sang in a choir and also played soccer. I love to get to know them.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (215) 925-4610 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
