Dad Took Danielle Along When He Helped Others as LPN
Danielle Wafer’s father modeled compassion for his daughter in the best possible way. Her father, an LPN, brought Danielle along when he took care of her great-uncle, maternal grandfather and a few private-duty clients.
“He would have me along to help. I also would occasionally help my paternal grandma whenever she asked. Recently, after my uncle’s passing, I have stepped up in family caregiving for my grandma, and I take care of my great-aunt on my days off,” Danielle explained. “I’ve always been told I have a caring spirit. Also, since I was in nursing school, a lot of my family would ask me to assist in taking care of them.”
When Danielle was finishing nursing school at the University of Detroit Mercy in July 2016, she joined Home Instead® of Clawson, an award-winning franchise owned by Bert and Stephanie Copple. “I figured being a CAREGiver would help with the skills I had learned in school while still practicing policy. I also was a resident aide before moving up to midnight supervisor at an assisted living community for almost four years,” Danielle said.
Danielle got connected to Home Instead after she uploaded her resume to Indeed.com. “I received a message from Kyla McBride, who is now our human resources manager. She said I showed some good qualifications and should apply, and I did right away,” Danielle said. “It's funny, because recently I had been asked a lot by other CAREGivers and my family members how long I’ve been with Home Instead. I always say three years, but I just recently realized that it will be six years in July. The years feel as though they’ve gone by so quickly.”
In January 2022, Danielle was honored as the franchise’s CAREGiver of the Month. Among the considerations for achieving CAREGiver of the Month status, an employee has shown he or 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. Danielle embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.” She is someone who is exceptional at her work with any client.
“What I like most about my job is the relationships I build with my clients. I care for them as if they were my own family. I also like that my pairings with different clients have all seemed to be a good match. I’ve taken care of a few clients who went to the same college as I did, had the same hobbies as I do, or had the same type of career as I have,” Danielle said.
One of Danielle’s most treasured client memories is a poignant one about a woman whose birthday was two days before Danielle’s. “I was so happy to work with her on her birthday, get her dressed and do her makeup and hair for her big dinner party that evening. We celebrated each other’s birthday, too. Three days after her birthday and one day after mine, she passed away, but I was happy to get her dolled up and ready for her big day and to see her smile,” Danielle said.
Another of Danielle’s stories was about a couple who were among her first clients. “The husband didn’t like to eat a lot of the right type of food, and I love to cook. So, one day I made some collard greens that he had not had in a long time. Let’s just say he had two bowls and couldn’t stop talking about it. Even his wife, who didn’t eat a lot, had a nice amount too. Overall, I just love helping to take care of others,” Danielle said.
All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (248) 220-3009 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
