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Why choose us for home care in Sun Lakes, AZ?

We believe aging should feel empowering, not limiting. That’s why we provide personalized care with a human touch, helping older adults live safely and with purpose at home.

Meet Our Team

Behind every phone call, visit, and update is your local team who genuinely cares.

We're here to help with whatever you need, whenever you need it.

Patricia Thiele

Patricia Thiele

General Manager

Why Home Instead: Patricia chose Home Instead because of what it stands for. Her grandmother, who was more like a mother to her, was a nurse and taught Patricia what it meant to care for someone. Not to just put a band-aid on a problem and hope that it goes away, but to really diagnose what is going on and prepare a treatment plan for that person. This, to her, is what Home Instead does. By Building Trust, Taking the Lead, and Sharing their Heart, Home Instead staff can help clients with their 8 care needs. (Safe environment, gait, transfer, medications, personal care, nutrition, cognition, and social.) Utilizing her Bachelor's in Health Care Administration, Patricia is excited to lead the team helping the aging population in the East Valley. In My Free Time: Patricia enjoys spending time with her three children, husband, and two dogs. When she has some time to herself, she enjoys cooking/baking, reading, and doing a wide variety of puzzle books.

Kriston

Kriston

Recruitment & Retention Manager

Why Home Instead: Kriston chose Home Instead because of her background working with individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and her deep passion for helping others. She believes in providing compassionate care that supports not only clients, but their families as well. Home Instead's commitment to building relationships, providing dignity-centered care, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of aging adults aligns closely with Kriston's personal values and heart for service. In My Free Time: Kriston loves going to church and participating in volunteer work through her church community. She enjoys spending time with her two sons and adores her four Shih Tzu babies, who are her pride and joy. On the weekends, Kriston enjoys relaxing with puzzles and creating diamond art.

Emily Hansen

Emily Hansen

Recruitment Coordinator

Why Home Instead: After working as a CNA, Emily discovered how much she valued building meaningful connections with the people she cared for. While she appreciated her experience in healthcare, she found herself wanting to provide more personalized, one-on-one care to those who truly needed it. Emily was drawn to Home Instead because it allows her the opportunity to focus on each individual's unique needs while making a real difference in their daily lives. She takes pride in offering compassionate support and being someone her clients and their families can rely on. In My Free Time: Emily recently got back into archery and enjoys the focus and discipline it brings. She loves spending quiet time reading a good book and finds being outdoors relaxing, especially when she's fishing. Whether she's enjoying nature or diving into a new story, Emily values activities that help her recharge and stay balanced.

Rebecca James

Rebecca James

Training Coordinator

Why did you choose Home Instead: Rebecca chose to work for Home Instead because she grew up watching her mother care for others as an in-home caregiver, and she wanted to make the same meaningful impact, helping people feel supported, cared for, and valued in their own homes, just as her mother had done for so many. About Me: Rebecca enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and exploring nature. She has a deep love for cats and enjoys relaxing with a good book. In her free time, she likes drawing and expressing her creativity through art.

Elisabeth ‘Lisa’ Brownfield

Elisabeth ‘Lisa’ Brownfield

Front Desk Coordinator Mesa

Why Home Instead: Elder care seemed like a natural next step for Lisa after her fulfilling career as a teacher. Working as a member of a team seeking to meet the needs of a particular community is an endeavor that Lisa has long participated in. She was naturally drawn to Home Instead, a leader in this enterprise. In My Free Time: Lisa is happiest at home with a book in her hands and a dog in her lap.

Nikki Bensen

Nikki Bensen

Client Care Manager

Why Home Instead: Nikki joined the Home Instead team as she saw an opportunity to make a personal difference for her local seniors. She decided that retail management was not where her heart lied and knew that her talents could be used elsewhere. In My Free Time: Nikki enjoys spending time with her son and husband, playing video games, and catching up on all the latest movies. Nothing satisfies her more than a cold Dr. Pepper on a hot Arizona day.

Tavia Schackart

Tavia Schackart

Client Care Advisor

Why did you choose Home Instead: Tavia chose to work for Home Instead because she wanted a compassionate career where she could help others by bringing comfort, support, and a little bit of joy to people's lives, building meaningful connections, and making a real difference in the everyday moments that matter most. About Me: Tavia world is full of laughter thanks to her daughter and her mischievous dogs and cats. She loves whipping up delicious treats in the kitchen, whether baking sweet goodies or cooking up a tasty meal.

Bettina McMahon

Bettina McMahon

Client Care Advisor

Why Home Instead: Bettina joined Home Instead because of its commitment to elevating the standard of care and treating clients like family. Her passion for senior care grew from caring for her own aging parents, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges families face and inspiring her to help others navigate their care journeys with dignity and peace of mind. With a strong background in organization, communication, and administration, Bettina is dedicated to supporting smooth operations and ensuring clients and families receive the exceptional care and support they deserve. In My Free Time: When the laptop closes, Bettina can be found cheering on her favorite professional baseball team or volunteering with and caring for rescue dogs. Above all, Bettina cherishes quality time spent at home with her fiancé and their pups.

Awards

Making decisions about a loved one’s care is a journey, and we are here to guide you.
home instead sun lakes az caring star award 2022

2022

Sun Lakes Az Caring Star

Proudly recognized as a Caring Star for our commitment to providing exceptional service, compassionate care, and a positive experience for aging adults and their families in the Sun Lakes community.

coolidge arizona chamber of commerce logo

Coolidge Arizona Chamber Of Commerce

Proud member of the Coolidge Chamber of Commerce, supporting local businesses and building strong community connections while helping aging adults remain safe and independent at home.

mesa arizona chamber of commerce logo

Mesa Arizona Chamber Of Commerce

As a proud member of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, we are committed to strengthening our local community and being a trusted resource for aging adults and their families.

apache junction chamber of commerce

Apache Junction Chamber Of Commerce

Proud to be part of the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce and to work alongside local businesses and community partners to support the needs of aging adults and their families.

chandler arizona chamber of commerce

Chandler Arizona Chamber Of Commerce

As a member of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to build meaningful community partnerships and help connect local families with trusted in-home care and resources.

Oro Valley Chamber Logo

Oro Valley Chamber

Proud member of the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, working to build strong local relationships and expand access to trusted resources and personalized in-home care for aging adults.

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Aznha

Proud member of the Arizona In-Home Care Association (AZNHA), demonstrating our commitment to professionalism, quality care, and high standards within Arizona's in-home care community.