The Home Instead® guiding principles are “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart,” and Care Professional of the Month Deni Favela-Parra takes them to heart but really gets into the “Take the Lead” part – even if it means getting soaked.
On a warm day, Deni, her client and his wife were sitting in the patio when the sprinklers came on in the field behind the client’s house. Deni recalled: “I got up and ran through the sprinklers, and then so did my client’s wife. Then I got my client to follow, and we all went through the sprinklers together. My client was laughing and had such a good time. He later said, ‘That was aqua medical,’ meaning in his own way that it was water therapy.”
Deni’s client could be difficult at times, but there was no question the two had fun, and Deni could always find ways to turn around her client’s blue moods through humor. Deni explained: “My client loved to laugh, so we laughed a lot together, and he loved to joke in his unique way. When I arrived, it was always nice to see his face light up and he’d greet me with ‘Hey, buddy.’ ”
Deni added: “Not only was I there for my client, but I feel as if I was also there for his wife. I’d help ease some of the pressures and stress that comes from caring for a spouse with dementia. It was an important part of my day with them when I also gave her the same compassion, love and companionship.”
Deni’s masterful, empathetic work with her clients has been evident for the past eight months, almost as soon as she came aboard at Home Instead in December 2025. Her winsome ways haven’t gone unnoticed at owner Michael Lammers’ award-winning Home Instead franchise of Boulder, Broomfield and northwest Adams Counties.
Home Instead Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Brenda Munro said: “Deni has cared for a wide range of clients. She is dependable and compassionate, and she consistently provides exceptional care. A client’s family members shared one of the sweetest compliments about Deni, saying, ‘She is such a kind person to have in our home.’ That really sums up who Deni is as a Care Pro. She is our July Care Pro of the Month.”
Deni had heard about Home Instead from her daughter Vanessa, who is also a Home Instead Care Pro. Vanessa thought her mother would be a good fit because of her mother’s people-centric work experiences when Deni worked with youth groups and in early childhood development.
Deni said: “I have worked with infants, youths and teens since my kids were babies, so I’ve been involved in caregiving all my adult life. Growing up, my mom was a director of a preschool, so even as a child, I helped in her centers and was involved in child care.”
As a military spouse, Deni had worked on different military bases at child development centers and was a lead professional for school-age children. Even more, Deni oversaw summer camp programs. She said: “I also had my own home daycare, worked with teen centers and youth groups for the Boys and Girls Clubs. Before I joined Home Instead, I was a driving school director in Las Vegas. I managed the company and was a driving instructor, traffic safety school instructor and an instructor for those who were ordered to take classes because of DUI convictions.”
Deni got a taste of senior care as a family caregiver. She took care of her mother for a while until she passed away. Deni added: “I also cared for a family friend’s mother after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.”
As a Home Instead Care Pro, Deni loves getting to know her clients, their histories and what they value most. “I love to help people. When I can add some happiness to their lives, that is everything to me,” Deni said.
“When I was working with children, I always had the mind-set to treat the children in my care with the same love I would want for my children. It’s the same with my Home Instead clients. I treat them the way I would want my own mom, dad or family member to be treated – that is, with love, compassion, empathy, respect and kindness. It’s so good for the soul to help others.”
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 at HomeInstead.com/397.
