At Just the Right Time, Lanette Brought a Couple Together
For Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Lanette Marquez, the last 36 hours with a hospice client were quietly dramatic, emotional and poignant. It was a memorable episode from her award-winning compassionate and empathetic work with Home Instead of Midland-Odessa that Lanette will never forget.
“Both the husband and his wife were our clients. Mr. M. was spending most of his time sleeping and not interacting with anyone. They had been married for more than 40 years, and everything was happening quickly. I could see that Mrs. M. was having a hard time,” Lanette recalled. “One day, Mr. M. woke up, and I offered him some water. I invited Mrs. M. into the room so they could talk and hold hands. Sadly, less than 24 hours later, Mr. M. passed away.”
Lanette added: “I had left my shift feeling sad and hoping for the best. When I received the news of my client’s passing, I felt a mix of sadness and gratitude because I was able to provide that moment for him and his wife.”
The melancholy situation left Home Instead Engagement and Training Coordinator Rozephyr Jean with a lump in her throat but also with a heartfelt appreciation for how Lanette had handled a delicate, mournful time in the life of the couple. “Just five months after joining us at Home Instead, Lanette’s dedication has earned her the well-deserved recognition as our Care Pro of the Month,” Rozephyr said. “When Lanette came aboard, she hit the ground running. She is professional and dependable, and continually goes above and beyond the call of duty to provide exceptional care.”
Rozephyr detailed even more superlatives for Lanette: “She consistently works an average of 30 hours per week, including every weekend. Lanette has demonstrated strong leadership by conducting introductions between new Care Pros and clients. Lanette displays Home Instead’s guiding principles of ‘Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.’ ”
Lanette made note of her short tenure with the Home Instead franchise owned by Lorena and William Shensky but felt compelled to say: “Even though I haven’t been with Home Instead that long, my job has already brought me so much joy and a few tears, too! It really helps me appreciate life and see things in a whole new way. I previously had worked with the elderly and disabled in some capacity. Before I joined the franchise, I had encountered Home Instead Care Pros a few times in the past, and the encounters always had been a delight.”
Lanette explained: “My background is in investigations, and I work in Human Resources within the medical field. While I was in school, I had worked in a nursing home, which sparked my interest in caring for the elderly and disabled. Aside from my children, I haven’t had the opportunity to be a family caregiver for a senior loved one yet. I’m thankful to all the clients who have crossed my path. They have prepared me for when it is my time to be a family caregiver for my loved one.”
When asked what she liked most about her Home Instead Care Pro position, Lanette said: “We often overlook how important the little things can be to someone and the significant impact they can have on their lives. Our interactions can make a difference for our clients and their families. Whether we provide a specific service or take a more hands-on approach as Care Pros, the way
we engage them can truly change the course of our clients’ and their families’ lives. That’s one of the reasons why I genuinely love my job!”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
