Grandma Was Right: Jennifer Is Amazing
Jennifer Jefferies was thrown into the family caregiving fray at a young age and excelled. Her grandmother, who died in 2005 after a battle with cancer, said, “Jenny, you are amazing and so sweet. People always will want you to help them.”
Years later, Jennifer is still wanted. She is a CAREGiver of the Month for Home Instead® of Winchester, an award-winning franchise that serves the Northern Shenandoah Valley. One of Jennifer’s regular clients is showing signs of dementia, but he always knows Jennifer when she walks through the door. His face lights up, and he smiles. The client, pointing to Jennifer, tells anyone within earshot, “She knows what she’s doing.” There could be no bigger compliment, and it leaves Jennifer beaming.
That client hasn’t been the only senior to bond quickly with Jennifer. During a fill-in shift, Jennifer took a senior to her doctor’s appointment and then on a shopping run. Discussing her day with Jennifer, the client later told the Home Instead office, “I want her again.”
Jennifer began assisting clients for Home Instead at the beginning of February 2021 and was honored three months later as CAREGiver of the Month. Allyson Starling, a manager who works in the franchise’s human relations department and in recruitment and retention, announced Jennifer’s award.
After being spotlighted as one of Winchester’s best employees, Jennifer could not help but reflect on her family caregiving days: “I was in middle school and high school when I helped my grandparents. They remained in their home until Grandma died. I helped my mother with Grandpa, who was a Vietnam War veteran and experienced flashbacks; sometimes they were referred to as ‘PTSD.’ Not only were we trying to help him physically, but emotionally as well. For example, his final wish was for no one to know he had died. Our hearts were sad, but he had been through a lot, and somehow I understood.”
After high school, further education was out of the question because Jennifer went to work immediately. “My grandma thought I’d be an awesome nurse one day, but the opportunity to be a nurse was not there for me,” she explained. During the past year, Jennifer had worked for an in-home care company in West Virginia before hearing about Home Instead. “One of my husband’s friends tipped me off to Home Instead,” she said. “I am glad. The office cares about both the employees and clients. That is a big thing in my eyes.”
Jennifer is helping a multiple sclerosis client who lost his wife unexpectedly last December. “He’s 80 but looks much younger. He also is young in spirit. He formerly used a walker but now must use a motorized cart,” Jennifer said. “I help with many things, and hospice comes in twice a week to help with personal care such as bathing.”
The client, who lives on an acreage just outside of a small town near Winchester, enjoys being outside. “He loves nature, and he loves the birds. We put a bird feed on an outside bannister so he can see them. He lives in an area where deer, turkeys and a groundhog can easily be seen,” Jennifer said. “He also loves music. I play the music on YouTube when he thinks of a song. He loves rock and roll, including Elvis Presley, and old country.”
There are challenges. “I noticed when he awakes from a nap, he could be chipper or aggravated.
I refocus as needed, and it happens occasionally. He has a sweet heart, and it never hurts to remind him that he is a good guy. I also tell him, ‘You’re an amazing man who raised two good sons who care about others.’ Words of encouragement help.”
Her late grandma was right: Jennifer “has the touch.”
All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (540) 722-8750 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
