Family Caregiving Propelled Jammie Toward Senior Care
The initial shock of seeing her grandmother’s bedsore ignited a flash of anger and then generated a deep sense of responsibility. Jammie Etzweiler rolled up her sleeves and began assisting her grandmother, a special person who had helped take care of Jammie and her younger sister many years earlier. Jammie willingly embraced the family caregiving challenge, a compassionate action that eventually led to taking a position with Home Instead® of Clearwater, Florida, where Jammie is now an honored Care Professional.
She explained: “My grandmother had been paralyzed and then came the bedsore. When we realized what had happened, it was clear in our eyes that her home-care worker hadn’t been doing her job. As a result, I took over my grandmother’s care. My grandfather had been trying to take care of her, along with the worker, but then my grandfather passed away. I brought my grandmother home with me for two or three years. I took the lead in providing 24/7 care for her.”
Jammie added: “What happened to my grandmother obviously was unacceptable. As bitter as it was, that drew me even closer to professional senior care and away from childcare, where I’d been comfortable and successful. While helping my grandmother, I learned a great deal about senior care. I learned about wound care, catheter and personal care, and physical therapy. My grandmother was totally vulnerable, and it was in my nature to take care of her.”
Caregiving always has been in Jammie’s blood. The Delaware native moved to Florida when she was 18. She and her husband are parents to a son and daughter. “I was lucky to be able to stay home and take care of our kids. I added other kids under my care – including my nieces – and had a childcare business. I ended it when my kids graduated,” Jammie said.
Jammie and her husband had just moved from Clewiston in South Florida to the Clearwater area when she began her job hunt in the summer of 2024. “Along with family caregiving,” she said, “I had worked as a private-duty caregiver. I found Home Instead on Indeed.com.”
In August 2024, Jammie joined the award-winning Home Instead franchise, which is operated by Owner Julie Castle and Vice President Colin Castle. Thirteen months later, Jammie was honored as the franchise’s Care Professional of the Month. Director of Care Professional Services JC Crady said, “Jammie displays Home Instead’s guiding principles of ‘Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.’ We’re so glad she chose us, and that she’s on our team.”
Jammie said: “Home Instead is a really good company, and working for them has been a great experience. I feel comfortable with Home Instead because communication is good and the staff is very attentive. I can call in the middle of the night with a question, and they will respond. The staff is good, very much on top of things.”
It’s easy to see that, for Jammie, helping her Home Instead clients seems like taking care of family members.
Jammie explained: “Seniors don’t always have family available to take care of them or visit them. Human contact in the midst of isolation is important. Sometimes the only interaction that some seniors receive from others is from us Home Instead Care Pros. I try to make the companionship aspect of care as good as it can be. Seniors can get depressed and might wonder aloud, ‘What’s the use?’ I want to be something important to somebody.”
She added: “Those with dementia can come in and out of a cognitive state on the same day – that’s just the nature of the neurological disease. They might not remember your name, but they recognize your face and voice, and they feel safe with you. You must meet them where they are, emotionally and mentally. You hit ‘reset’ sometimes by stepping out of the room on occasion if there is agitation. For a senior-care professional, attitude is everything. You’ve got to be willing to adjust to changes with the clients.”
Jammie has assisted multiple clients and now has two regular clients, both of whom need 24/7 care. One client is a 94-year-old man, and the other is a woman who is in her 60s. The woman client bonded with Jammie in two weeks, which amazed the Home Instead staff. “She is different from any other client I’ve assisted, and I’ve adjusted to her. You have to gain her trust. I understand her situation, the multiple challenges she faces. I respect her,” Jammie said.
Jammie noted that if she starts some form of care for her client, Jammie won’t leave until it is completely done, even if the shift is over and the next Care Pro arrives. “Continuity of care is key. I make a point every day to try to take her outside. She wants to feel independent. I want to motivate her to get out more,” Jammie said.
In general, Jammie said: “I don’t impose my will on any client. I try to get each client what they want and try to give them a purpose to live. That’s because sometimes depression is present. I make a few goals for my clients and celebrate when the goals are made because of the sense of accomplishment. I always say, ‘I am here to help you. I want you to have a good day.’ Once I figure out a good routine that works for both of us, I try to stick to it. Most clients thrive on consistency and compassion.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (727) 799-1400 or visit our website.
