Pinellas County (Change Location)

May 01, 2024

Care Professional of the Month - April 2024

Written By: Brian Lahm for Home Instead of Clearwater
April 2024 Care Pro of the Month Norayda

Norayda Continues ‘Rewarding Journey’ With Home Instead

Norayda Rappaport’s professional caregiving career has been impactful. “I appreciate life more. I have learned that this is a rewarding journey, and I love being helpful,” said Norayda, who earned her Care Professional of the Month honor in April, just 11 months after joining Home Instead® of Clearwater, Florida. In all, Norayda has 30 years of professional experience.

“I became a caregiving professional because I felt it was my duty to care for the elderly while at the same time taking the burdens off their busy family members. I love listening to the seniors’ stories and making each one of them feel cared for and safe,” Norayda said.

During her 30-year career, Norayda has worked for two home-care agencies. While holding multiple jobs simultaneously, she also worked for 25 years in podiatry care where she helped seniors. In addition, Norayda worked for five years for a health-insurance company.

“Throughout my years with clients, I’ve learned how to adapt to the various caregiving situations. I’ve learned how to manage the challenges, and remain calm and patient under pressure. I have taken on all of the responsibilities that have come my way during senior care,” Norayda explained.

She found owner Julie Castle’s award-winning Home Instead during an online search. “My story with Home Instead has been an excellent one,” Norayda said. “I am honored to work with Home Instead because they understand that a good fit between the client and Care Pro is crucial.”

She added: “When I started my job, an experienced Care Pro overlapped her schedule with mine to train me on specific Home Instead protocols and provide a smooth transition with the client. I am happy with every experience I’ve had while learning as I work with the clients, other Care Pros and the Home Instead staff. Every client is different, and so are his or her needs.”

Home Instead Director of Care Professional Services JC Crady announced Norayda’s Care Pro of the Month honor. Among the considerations for achieving her Care Pro of the Month status, JC explained, a Home Instead employee has shown she has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Norayda embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”

In addition to her strong companionship skills, Norayda provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Norayda offers personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, Norayda and her fellow Care Pros not only assist their clients, but help their families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.

“I love my job because I love making a difference, and I know I can help at least one person. I love the in-home care field because there is nothing more rewarding than being able to provide help to those in need and to have the purpose to serve others,” Norayda said.


All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (727) 799-1400 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.

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