A History of Caring: Kelly Felt a Closeness to Seniors at Age 12
When Kelly Hermann was 12 years old, she’d walk from her home to the senior facility in Foster, Rhode Island, where her mother worked as a bookkeeper. That’s where the lady residents always looked forward to Kelly’s personal touch and conversation as she went from woman to woman and combed their hair while talking to them.
If Kelly hadn’t been there for a couple of days, the ladies would ask her mother where Kelly was and wondered when she would return. “They liked me. I was a people pleaser,” said Kelly, who earned her CNA license for the first time at age 17.
Years later, nothing much has changed with Kelly’s compassionate personality. Director of Care Professional Services JC Crady recently announced Kelly had been honored as a Care Professional of the Month at Home Instead® of Clearwater. Kelly joined the award-winning Home Instead franchise July 17, 2021.
Shortly before Kelly came aboard owner Julie Castle’s Home Instead franchise, COVID-19 had short-circuited her work as an esthetician. Estheticians perform cosmetic skin treatments such as facials, superficial chemical peels, body treatments and waxing.
“I went back to the CNA type of work because those positions were open despite the loss of many other jobs due to the pandemic. Whether you are serving as a CNA, professional caregiver or esthetician, there are a couple of common denominators: You must like working with people – be a people-person – and want to help them feel better about themselves,” said Kelly, who moved to Florida full time 10 years ago after visiting the Sunshine State for many years as “a semi-snowbird.”
Kelly joked that she’s “a Yankee,” and so are many of her clients. Kelly grew up in Rhode Island, lived in New Jersey for 18 years and also resided in New York City for a time. Kelly said: “There is definitely a different sense of humor and whole unique set of idiomatic phrases that originate from the mid to upper Eastern Seaboard. It’s so funny. Some of those folks will talk out of the side of their mouths to make a point, which means ‘between you and me,’ or ‘between us girls.’ From New Yorkers, you might hear them tell someone, ‘Pipe it down a notch.’ When you’re talking ‘their language,’ most of them will respond with chuckles.”
The ability to empathize with seniors is one of Kelly’s strong points, and so are her communication skills. “I love little old ladies. I like having conversations with them. You can learn a lot from seniors. What’s most important is that I truly believe in communication. I can make a difference in our clients’ lives by listening intently and responding appropriately. You’re in their homes, and they are struggling. Some of them are broken down. They have this pain and that pain. It wears on them. Sometimes you have to think for your clients and communicate their needs to others because they can no longer fend for themselves,” Kelly said.
“If the client has dementia, it’s important to communicate with him or her as long as possible. I find reasons to be with her and carry on conversations. What if it were your mother? Think about what you would want me to do. You have to pay attention. I am kind and polite to everyone, no matter who it is. All people deserve respect.”
Kelly’s deep respect for seniors drives her to keep a consistent housekeeping routine with a 94-year-old bed-bound client who she met years ago while taking care of her and her husband. Kelly said, “Today I keep to my original cleaning routine by keeping her home as she had it. As I sit and chat with her I tell her it’s time for me to go do my chores. That makes her chuckle and fall into a peaceful sleep.”
“She is so sweet. I’ve always painted her fingernails and bought her flowers. Those are things she can see best from her bed. I think the beauty of well-done fingernails and flower arrangements help her mental state. Doing those things also are compatible with my personality. I am a visual person and a clean freak, and I like to keep busy. I don’t like to sit around.”
Kelly added: “I had a male client who underwent back surgery and lost the feeling in his legs. He can still use a walker. He uses a stationary bike at home as part of his physical therapy. I cheer him on. I let him know he is doing much better. You have to be their biggest cheerleaders because they may have no one else to fill that role.”
Kelly likes the fact that her Home Instead office staff are among her biggest cheerleaders. “I enjoy working for Home Instead. They are great communicators. They give props to us Care Pros. With scheduling, they are flexible. I like the company and want to stay with them,” she 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.
