Joann Is Amazed by Her Clients
Joann Andric has a background in mechanical design and engineering, and she retired from the auto industry in 2010 after a highly successful 25-year career. For her “second career,” Joann turned to something totally different – professional senior care – and she never ceases to be amazed by her clients.
“Seniors are a treasure. Working with clients is like visiting friends. I love these people and have learned a lot from them. I enjoy listening to their stories. They have so much life left,” said Joann, a CAREGiver of the Month who was particularly inspired by a Home Instead® client who figured out he wasn’t truly ready for retirement after age 80, following the sale of his hardware store.
“At 85, he was bored and applied for a job at his neighborhood hardware store. At first, they joked with him. After he revealed he’d owned a hardware store, they hired him. He helped in many ways they didn’t expect. He made changes and trained employees. With his age came much experience and wisdom. He was in good health, but he moved slowly. They appreciated his knowledge. He worked for five years before he retired again at 90. He asked Home Instead to help him after he left the hardware store and retired for the second time. The moral of the story is that older people can still be helpful, whether it is out in society or within their own family.”
Joann has a bushel basket of memorable stories since she moved into her second career. Many have come from her clients since she joined Home Instead of Birmingham on Jan. 24, 2014. The franchise office moved in April 2021 to nearby Clawson. On May 26, 2016, Joann earned her State of Michigan Home Health Aide certification (HHA). “Along with the State of Michigan, Home Instead was able to help me get the HHA certification,” Joann said.
“After I retired from the auto industry, I needed to do something fun, refreshing and loving. I started working for another company, but I was making long trips. I applied at Home Instead because it was closer to home. I saw a Home Instead newspaper advertisement in the Troy Times,” Joann said.
Sometimes there is a rhythm and beat to Joann’s job. “It seems to me that nearly every client relates to music so well. I play the music they like, which is music from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. … the Benny Goodman band, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby are among the favorites,” Joann explained.
“One client had a strong music background because she was a university professor who gave piano lessons. Despite her dementia, she could play musical scores on the piano from memory. She played because I had the initiative to ask her to play. Music was her life. Those with dementia retain music in their memories for the longest time.”
Joann is thrilled that most of her clients love music, and she tries to incorporate as much as she can. “Music is my interest, too. I have a daughter who is a professional musician, a classical pianist. My daughter knows music is an element of life, and we have talked about it,” Joann said.
Other senior interests include such diverse things as food, Christmas decorations and politics.
“I like to cook and am willing to do so. I am from Europe, and we cook from scratch. I like to prepare whatever is their favorite dish, and they have loved the food. Some have recipes they want me to prepare. They like fresh meals,” she said.
Another client asked Joann to help her decorate for Christmas. Joann said, “It brought back memories for the client. She still had her mother’s hand-made Christmas ornaments. I have the great memories. The clients and family members stay with me, whether it is in my memories or visits or other forms of communication.”
Joann quickly bonded with another 90-something client whose mind is clear and keeps close watch of current events. “Her memory and reasoning are perfect. She wants to discuss politics and is a strong supporter of one of the political parties. I listen and don’t talk because I do not want to get involved in that kind of conversation. A nod or shake of my head tells her I am following along. She has quite a personality and is quite decisive with what she thinks. For instance, she needs to use her walker, and I have emphasized that point. She said, ‘OK, I will listen to you. I don’t normally listen to others,’ ” Joann said with a laugh.
Home Instead’s office staff won Joann’s vote early during her employment with the award-winning franchise that is owned by Stephanie and Bert Copple. “Home Instead is such a nice company. The staff is friendly, and I feel at home. We employees have voted our Home Instead office as one of the best working places in Michigan,” Joann said. “It is never dull. The challenges vary so much. Every client has a different need. I love helping them.”
All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (248) 203-2273 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
