Care Professional of the Month

Julie Coker found her passion as a Home Instead^® Care Professional several years after she had retired from a longtime insurance company position. Julie found a rewarding second career. She is so good at compassionately serving seniors on behalf of Home Instead of Collin County in Plano, Texas, that she was honored as the August Care Pro of the Month for the award-winning franchise owned by Chase and Taylor Crenwelge.

“I love this kind of work. I love the hours, the staff, the clients and the clients’ families,” Julie said. “My goal with all clients is to make people happy – the clients and their families. If I can inspire them to laugh and smile, it is a good day. I aim to fulfill the Golden Rule with my clients: treat them in the same way I would want to be treated. I receive fulfillment from helping others. I receive help from the staff. With training, I work on Home Instead’s online courses. They are very helpful, especially with dementia.”

When Julie retired from the insurance field at age 52, she thought she’d decompress from her high-stress job and slip into a low-key life that included crafting and other enjoyable hobbies. “But I ‘unretired’ and tried retail and later drove a transportation van for schoolkids. I previously had given Home Instead a try but could not get the hours I wanted, so I left a few years back,” Julie recalled. “I figured out later that I missed the seniors.”

When Sylvia Tircuit was comforting her husband during one of his hospital stays, Sylvia noticed other patients who were in the same situation as her husband. But many of those patients never had visitors. “I shared my compassion with some of them,” Sylvia said. “I was sad to see the hospital patients so sad.”

Sylvia’s empathetic heart always has shined brightly, a beacon of warmth that reaches those in need. She had retired to take care of her ill spouse, and she did the same for other family members. “I love the elderly and have always had an attachment to them. Even as a child, I was an old soul,” Sylvia said. “I took care of my grandmother in my younger days because I was close to her. I’d do such things as go to the store for her. Eventually, I had her come live with me.” With a chuckle, Sylvia said: “My grandmother introduced me to coffee and French bread.”

Not long after her husband’s death in 2020, Sylvia began to consider working for an in-home care agency. “Seeing the needs of so many seniors inspired me to want to do that kind of job,” Sylvia noted. “I wanted to give back to society, and I wanted to get out of the house to do something impactful.”

Perhaps there are no better compliments in life than to be called someone’s friend. One of Home Instead^® Care Professional of the Month Akberet “Aki” Tela’s regular clients told Aki, ‘You are not just my Care Pro, you are my friend.’ ”

The feeling is mutual.

Referring to her 87-year-old client, Ms. Mary, who lives in her longtime home, Aki said: “She is like my grandmother. Ms. Mary is so happy to see me when I come in. She immediately recognizes me – she is sharp. I take Ms. Mary to her medical appointments and on shopping trips when she wants something. I don’t rush her when we’re shopping. We take our time. You must be patient, but that is not a difficulty for me. That’s what friends do.”

Aki added: “I love all clients as if they were my grandparents. I feel that way inside my heart. I assist sometimes as many as four or five clients in a week. Ms. Mary is the client whom I’ve helped the longest. She can walk by herself, but I am always by her side. I follow closely when Ms. Mary is using a walker. While we have necessary outings, there are no restaurant stops. She’d rather eat at home. At home, in addition to my other duties, we watch television together and talk. She shares almost everything. I know her history, and I am interested in it. Getting to know my clients more each day is meaningful to me, one of my highlights of caregiving.”

Truth be told, Care Professional of the Month Trish Chinomona’s journey to Home Instead^® of Collin County, an award-winning franchise in Plano, Texas, covered an amazing 9,050 miles. That is because Trish is a native of Zimbabwe, where she got her start in her career field as a family caregiver and later was inspired to become a care professional.

“Back home some years ago,” Trish explained, “my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I had to take care of her. Because I helped her during her last days, it gave me closure and joy after she passed away that I was able to assist her and provide comfort. Of course I miss her, but there was a joy that she was no longer suffering and an unexpected confidence that I had handled the challenges associated with caring for my mother.”

Trish added: “It was at that point in my life that I started taking caregiving seriously. I earned my Nurse Aide diploma, so when I came here to the United States, I just continued in the field. I have been a caregiving professional for about eight years.”

Thirteen months ago, Trish joined the Home Instead franchise owned by Chase and Taylor Crenwelge. “I was looking for a job then I went on Indeed.com,” Trish recalled. “I applied and got an interview, so that’s how I got in.”

Home Instead^® Care Professional of the Month Tamara Tuburu addresses her clients with a term of endearment if they allow it: “I ask, ‘Could I call you ‘Grandma,’ ‘Grandpa,’ ‘Father’ or ‘Mother?’ I give them respect. I try to please them as if they were my father or mother or grandparent. They usually respond by asking to use my first name.”

Tamara pointed out: “When you put your client first as if they were your parents, you feel their pain. Their pain is your pain. If they are comfortable with me, they don’t hesitate to tell me if they are in pain. I see their heart. They understand me – that I want the best for them – just as I understand them.”

When it is appropriate, Tamara jokes with her clients and tries to keep the atmosphere light. Of course, there are quiet moments of introspection. She said: “When you value life, you have empathy and compassion for the people whom you serve. You ask yourself, ‘What if that were me going through these challenges?’ That kind of feeling for them makes me want to do even more for them.”

Shortly after joining Home Instead of Collin County in Plano, Texas, one of Tamara’s clients went on hospice last November. She battled her illness admirably, but the client passed away just before Christmas. Tamara recalled: “She felt like family to me. Anticipating Christmas from a couple weeks out, the sweet lady wanted only me for Christmas Day. She said, ‘Please bring your kids.’ She died on Christmas Eve.”

Shelia Robertson’s arrival at honored Care Professional status at Home Instead^® of Collin County, Texas, can be tied to sparks from two key sources many years ago: Shelia’s mother, who was a compassionate and heroic role model as a successful longtime nurse, and an influential book about American nursing legend Clara Barton that left a lasting impression.

Barton was a pioneering educator, nurse and humanitarian known throughout the United States as “The Angel of the Battlefield” for her fearless aid to Civil War soldiers. She founded the American Red Cross in 1881 at age 59 and led it for 23 years. “I read a book about Clara Barton in second grade,” recalled Shelia, who also simply listened and observed as her mother helped others day after day.

“I’ve always loved taking care of the elderly since I was young. As a family caregiver, I’ve always tried to help. We took turns taking care of my aunt and uncle. Even more, I cared for my mother and father until they passed away,” Shelia said.

Home Instead^® clients in Collin County, Texas, are benefiting from Care Professional of the Month Kathy Tarrant’s long-time professional expertise in promoting active lifestyles and  healthy diets. “I have always enjoyed exercising, which has included several hours daily at the gym. The application of those principles are important elements I bring into my job today with my clients. I gently advocate for beneficial lifestyles, and it’s never too late for anyone to start,” Kathy said. “The old saying of ‘use it or lose it’ is even more relevant today as we all age. I am happy to share my knowledge of eating proper nutrition and exercise with my clients.”

Kathy’s background is in sales, health and fitness. She explained: “My first job out of high school, after taking many extra health-related courses, was at a hospital. I enjoyed the one-on-one contact with my patients, but I chose to follow a different path. I went on to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, entered a beautiful 48-year marriage and raised two very busy, active boys. I was employed by Procter & Gamble for 18 years in its health and beauty division.”

About six years ago, Kathy moved from California to Texas. The transplant was eager to immerse herself in the Lone Star way of life. “I thought, ‘What better way to get to know my surroundings and the needs of my community than to venture out and get a part-time job.’ I came across a Home Instead advertisement one afternoon and made the phone call. Kelly Spawn, our office manager, picked up the call. Within the hour, I was sitting in her office for an interview. The rest, as they say, is history,” said Kathy, who has spent nearly five years with the Home Instead franchise in Plano that serves Collin County. Chase and Taylor Crenwelge have been the co-owners of the award-winning franchise since March 1, 2025.

Heaven Zerai, Home Instead^® Care Professional of the Month.

“Heaven’s name represents her well. She has a very calming spirit about her. I have had a few clients say they just love her,” said Amanda Ross, the Care Pro Advocate for Home Instead^® of Collin County in Plano, Texas. Amanda announced Heaven’s honor on behalf of the award-winning franchise owned by Chase and Taylor Crenwelge.

So, Heaven’s answer to the obvious question she often hears: “My dad gave me the name ‘Heaven.’ I think he wants me to go straight to heaven when it’s my time,” she said with a smile. It’s obvious Heaven’s Home Instead clients don’t want her going anywhere, and the feeling is mutual.

“I chose to work with Home Instead because I enjoy helping people and providing care to seniors,” said Heaven, who has spent the past three years and two months with Home Instead. “What I like most about my job is helping clients with their daily needs and making their lives easier. It feels good to know I’m making a positive difference.”

“God gave me a second chance at life. I’ve used that chance to help seniors, which has been my passion since I graduated from high school,” said Home Instead^® Care Professional of the Month Brigitte Washington, who received a kidney transplant in 2017 at the Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

For 28 years before the transplant, Brigitte had worked at a nursing home in Dallas, where she had learned to do everything involved with senior care except for the administrative bookwork. Brigitte worked on the floor as a CNA, in the dietary and food service, in the laundry and in housekeeping. “Then I had to stop working because I became really sick,” Brigitte explained.

She added: “It was a long, arduous process. We looked for a kidney transplant match for a long time; there was no compatibility with family members. Then there was an international search for a kidney, a search that succeeded. God saw me through it, and now I feel good. During my health struggles, I missed working with the elderly. They have great stories.”

In July 2022, Brigitte joined a Home Instead franchise in Dallas as a Care Pro. That franchise closed when the owner retired, so Brigitte came aboard at Home Instead of Collin County in Plano, Texas, in August 2023. Todd Felker had owned the award-winning franchise for 11 years until March 1, 2025, when he retired and sold the franchise to Chase and Taylor Crenwelge.

In a Google^® Review, the wife of a Home Instead^® client delivered her glowing praise for Care Professional of the Month Charleon Kongnyuy and his award-winning franchise that serves Collin County from its office in Plano, Texas:

“Getting wonderful service from this company (Home Instead). We have Charleon coming to help around the house, and especially with my husband, who has dementia. Charleon is able to get him chatting, and Charleon also shares stories of his homeland. It has been a big relief for me, and I highly recommend them (Home Instead). Thank you (Home Instead) for all of your dedication to your clients! They appreciate you, and so do we! Thank you!”

That wasn’t the first time Charleon was touched by the significance of reviews that involved the Dallas-area Home Instead franchise owned by Chase and Taylor Crenwelge. During a job search earlier this year, Charleon found Home Instead, read reviews on Indeed.com and saw many positive comments from current and past Care Pros. “I had been looking online for a home-care company that truly supports its caregivers,” Charleon recalled. “I wanted an employer who respects its workers, offers steady shifts and communicates well.”

Charleon added: “The way people spoke about the company made me feel confident, and that encouraged me to apply for the Home Instead team. As a result, I interviewed, was offered a position and started working with Home Instead in May 2025.”

Before Home Instead, Charleon had worked for about two years as a caregiver in an assisted living facility. “I took care of residents with different conditions, such as dementia, and some with more challenging behavioral issues,” he said. “That experience helped me learn patience, understanding and how to stay calm in different situations.”

Jeanne was an Occupational Therapist for more than 24 years, and her highly successful career that included a generous daily mix of empathy and compassion was a perfect skill set when Jeanne transitioned to a Home Instead^® Care Professional position as a result of new family experiences and challenges.

“I worked as a full-time Occupational Therapist until my husband and I were incredibly blessed with our twin boys and beautiful daughter, all within a couple of years. We felt as if we had triplets because they were born in 2007 and 2008!” Jeanne recalled. “I was a busy stay-at-home mom during their preschool years and also worked part time as an Occupational Therapist.”

Her OT career and family caregiving responsibilities served Jeanne well when she began searching for a flexible employer and fulfilling work.  Jeanne explained: “I was caregiving for our little ones at home and caregiving for adults of all ages at rehabilitation centers, hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.”

Furthermore, Jeanne pointed out: “While working as an Occupational Therapist, I grew very fond of working with my geriatric patients because they reminded me of my parents. My OT background comes in handy when helping my Home Instead clients maintain their independence in their daily activities and routines.”