Care Professional of the Month Jennifer Hernandez understands the heart-rending plight of many seniors who need help from someone to remain in their homes or live more comfortably in care communities. Jennifer and her award-winning Home Instead® franchise in Collin County, Texas, stand ready to be a ray of sunlight in the midst of an otherwise dark situation.
“When seniors call us,” Jennifer said, “it’s tough for them because they really didn’t want to call us. It means they are unable to take care of themselves.” She added: “The good news is that we can help. I want to make them as comfortable as possible about accepting that help and make sure they know I am arriving with a compassionate heart and well-prepared to assist them.”
Care Pro Advocate Amanda Ross pointed out: “Jennifer’s clients never want for anything. She goes over the clients’ plans of care thoroughly before ever arriving to help them and asks questions for clarification if there is any doubt. She is an extremely dependable person and pays close attention to details. Those are among the many reasons she is a Care Pro of the Month. Jennifer lives our guiding principles of ‘Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.’ ”
“Of course,” Jennifer said, “some clients just need temporary care until they can get back on their feet, such as those who are recovering from something such as a knee surgery. I jokingly tell some of my clients I’ll be happy if and when they are able to function without me. I want to help them in every way I can so they can regain their independence.”
In September 2019, Jennifer joined Home Instead in Plano, owned by Todd Felker. It was the first time in 25 years she had worked full time outside the home. “We formerly lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I first volunteered and then worked part time at a Christian school for children with disabilities. A teacher at the school worked for Home Instead at night and on the weekends. That’s when I first heard of Home Instead, but I did not apply at the Home Instead in Tulsa because we were homeschooling our children and I was helping at that school,” Jennifer said.
After her family moved to the Plano area, Jennifer wanted a job and researched potential employers by going online to look for home-care jobs. She checked out the reviews and ratings. “In that respect,” Jennifer said, “Home Instead stood out. I did not want to work somewhere where the management was not supportive. Among the Home Instead positives were the flexibility of hours, including when I could choose to work and or take time off.”
Jennifer added: “I like Home Instead, and the job is very rewarding. I love our office. Communication is good. The office is always there with support if you’re in a pickle. They tell you how to solve a problem. When I look back on the past three years, I can say I was always working with Home Instead despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Home Instead handled everything so well. They were great about supplying PPE. I was especially careful with my care for the clients and tried to limit my contact with the world.”
Jennifer had these observations about clients:
- “I like getting to know the clients. You quickly get the opportunity to learn about their family members. For sure, you get attached to the clients.”
- “Some of them are in desperate straits. I am absolutely sensitive to their needs, and priority No. 1 is keeping them safe. You want the best for them.”
- “I’ve run errands with the clients and have taken them to beauty shops, the veterans’ office, grocery stores and other places.”
- “Getting groceries with a client can take an extended period of time, but it is beneficial for them. You can kill two birds with one stone. They can get their exercise by moving around, and you can help them with socialization by aiding engagement with others.”
- “In general, the clients need a human touch. They are grateful for what you do.”
Jennifer loves being a part of the Care Pro team for the Dallas-area franchise, a member of a network comprised of Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and Care Pros. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Pros across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (469) 916-9202 or apply online at https://www.homeinstead.com/location/413/home-care-jobs/ . For further information about Home Instead, visit our website at https://www.homeinstead.com/location/413/
