Becky C. listens. That’s one of the many reasons she is a Care Professional of the Month at Home Instead® of Fox River Valley in St. Charles, Illinois. After one conversation with a client, Becky quickly decided that television viewing was out, and getting out “was in.”
“One of my clients said he felt as if he were ‘in prison,’ being stuck in his home because he could no longer drive or walk on his own. I took him to different area parks for a change of scenery and fresh air. He really enjoyed that,” said Becky, whose Care Pro of the Month honor was announced in January 2025 by Home Instead Training Coordinator Jackie Washburn.
Perhaps the client could feel Becky’s compassion and empathy on the first day she showed up to assist him. Those are two of the characteristics that are evaluated when a Care Pro is considered for the employee of the month award. Of course, there are others. Has the Care Pro gone above and beyond the call of duty? Does the Care Pro possess the skills and wisdom to be highly successful? Is the Care Pro exceptional at her work with any client? Finally, does the Care Pro focus on Home Instead’s training, processes and procedures of successful caregiving? In other words, does the Care Pro work at getting better?
For Jackie, Franchise President Colleen McGuinn, Staffing Manager James Wall and Client Care Manager Gina Groveau, the answers were yes. When Jackie announced Becky had been honored as Care Pro of the Month, Jackie said Becky displays Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”
Becky understands that no two clients are alike, so their physical and emotional needs all vary to some degree. “I enjoy meeting new clients and learning about their life stories,” Becky said. There seems to be one common denominator – independence – for nearly every client. “I feel it’s very important to enable people to stay in their homes, if they choose to do so, and also remain as independent as possible. Of course, safety comes first as a Care Pro priority, but when that’s taken in consideration, why not allow them to do something they enjoy?” Becky said.
Conversation, Becky said, is an important part of compassion and empathy.
“I had another client who talked about her life growing up in post-war Germany, having no electricity, and other hardships. I enjoy history, so that was very interesting,” Becky pointed out.
“I have another client who is of the Jewish faith, and the client tells me about Jewish culture and traditions, which I find interesting.”
Becky’s curiosity about different cultures and backgrounds comes naturally. She has a university degree in International Studies. “I had difficulty finding work in that field. I tried a variety of jobs and happened across professional caregiving by chance in a newspaper ad,” Becky said. “As a family caregiver, I helped look after my dad as an adult. Now I am helping my 93-year-old mom, who is still fairly independent.”
Becky has worked for Home Instead since the spring of 2011, when she learned about the franchise by word of mouth. “Someone, with whom I had worked at another in-home care agency, went to work for Home Instead and liked it,” Becky recalled.
Becky loves being a part of the Care Pro team for one of Chicagoland’s outstanding Home Instead franchises, members of the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform. Overall, there are more than 100,000 Care Pros across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide. For Becky and her fellow Care Pros, touching lives impacts their souls, whether they are providing physical help such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders or personal care or if they are offering emotional support in a companionship role.
Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (630) 274-5050 or apply online.
For further information about Home Instead, visit our website at homeinstead.com/home-care/usa/il/st-charles/458/
