Annalise Large was searching for a flexible job that would permit her to spend more time with her son, who is now almost 2. She struck gold with Home Instead® of Boulder, Broomfield and northwest Adams Counties by finding a position at the award-winning Colorado franchise that has honored her as its Care Professional of the Month for July.
Annalise explained her employment situation: “As a licensed hairstylist, I have been doing hairstyling for eight years. For two of those years, I ran my own business. I had my son, and I decided to go from being an owner to being a part-time employee at another hair salon. I wasn’t making enough money as an owner because I had lost a lot of my client base during my maternity leave. Then I decided to look for something more consistent. I wanted a job I’d love.”
Annalise searched online and found the Home Instead office in Louisville. “I saw their posting, and it said ‘non-medical’ and ‘no experience required.’ I went for it and was so eager for a reply. When I heard back from Home Instead three days later – on a Monday – I went into Home Instead, trained that week and had clients the next week,” said Annalise, who joined owner Mike Lammers’ franchise May 23, 2024.
It was Annalise’s first venture into professional caregiving. She also doesn’t have a background in caregiving with elderly family members, but her grandmother made a big impression at reunions and holidays when Annalise was young. “My grandma was a nurse, so at family gatherings, she would always check our blood pressure and oxygen levels,” Annalise recalled.
Furthermore, she said: “Seniors have always held a huge place in my heart since I was young. I loved doing acts of service for them out and even wanted to take part in a Meals on Wheels program when I got my driver’s license. I never got the chance to do that, but seniors have always been big in my heart. When COVID happened, I wanted to volunteer, but there were so many health regulations that isolated people, it wasn’t the right time.”
When Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Brenda Munro announced Annalise’s honor, Brenda said: “One client told me that above all else, Annalise is kind. The client joked that sometimes her husband isn’t very nice to her, so Annalise would remind him to be nice to his wife, and it worked. The wife is a retired nurse and told me Annalise is a natural, and she really should pursue nursing. Annalise is a wonderful, caring Care Pro, and we are lucky to have her.”
Annalise’s favorite part of her job is “working with the best people.” She pointed out: “All office staff are always so kind and friendly, and they know me by name when I come in. The staff understands I have a certain schedule and hours I want to maintain to spend time with my son. I also like meeting other Care Pros during shift changes, putting a face to a name and chatting with them to find their solutions and ways to help meet our clients’ needs.”
There are too many stories to tell, Annalise said, when she thinks of unforgettable days with her clients. “Just creating a bond with the client and his or her family each and every time is a highlight,” she said.
“One memorable client was my first to pass away. He always tried the drinks I made because they looked good, or he thought they’d be colder than the ones his wife gave him. I’d have a drink and would be sitting at the other end of the table, and he would give me a look like, ‘I’d like to try some of that,’ ” Annalise said. “Once, after my client saw a TV commercial that featured an extremely fit, muscular 70-year-old man, my client said, ‘I look just like that, too.’ The client had Parkinson’s disease but he was so sweet and funny.”
With another client, Annalise recalled taking her client shopping for new pants. “With her physical therapist present, we pushed my client’s wheelchair and finally walked around the whole block of businesses. We sent a selfie to her daughter,” she said.
Poignantly remembering a client who recently passed away, Annalise said: “We always enjoyed chocolate cupcakes and Frappuccino drinks together. We even worked together and finished his book about his life’s story. To me, it was very special to help him complete it. Just before he passed, he turned 90 and asked me to release balloons into the air for him ‘because they have helium, and it’d be fun.’ His health declined that night. That’s a memory I will cherish forever.”
Annalise added: “I feel so honored and grateful to work for such a great company.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (720) 890-0184 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
