With Kristie’s Care, Client’s Condition Has Improved
Kristie Sorna insists she’s no miracle worker, but it is evident the Home Instead® CAREGiver of the Month’s skilled care, attention to detail and compassionate encouragement have been instrumental in her 62-year-old client’s steadily improving health.
An observer said, “Kristie’s client has improved quite a bit since Kristie began helping her. With her noticeable changes, the client knows how well she’s doing with Kristie’s help. Kristie does things to lift the client’s spirits as well as helping the client’s mobility.”
Kristie doesn’t force anything on her client. “I don’t set unattainable standards. I give her the options. I am helping her with at-home physical therapy exercises. When I try to get her out of the house, I don’t set the goal that’s too high. I ask if she wants to go out. It also depends on the weather. The fact is, she likes to go out. We average about two shopping trips a week. The change of scenery is good for her. It is form of physical therapy,” Kristie said.
With the use of her rollator walker and Kristie’s help, the client goes just about anywhere. They have visited the client’s pharmacy, grocery stores, a nearby mall, the Apple store, a jewelry store, an optometrist and the client’s doctor. “As far as how long we stay out,” Kristie explained, “there’s good communication between us. We do whatever she feels like doing. I am flexible.”
In addition to her client’s care, Kristie is happy to help with the client’s two huge, friendly Newfoundland dogs, Miss Lily and Miss Daisy. “I love animals. I have a German Shepherd puppy, three cats and fish. The client’s dogs are easy to take care of. They greet me when I arrive. The client has a wonderful one-acre fenced yard, which is perfect for them,” Kristie said.
Whether it is taking care of people or animals, Kristie is a natural. Working for Home Instead isn’t Kristie’s first senior-care experience. “I started taking care of family members about 25 years ago, including my mother-in-law, who has multiple sclerosis And since then, I have taken care of my grandparents and my mother,” Kristie said.
Kristie said she saw a Home Instead television commercial, she liked the message that was projected on behalf of the award-winning franchise from Clawson. Kristie said: “The idea of helping seniors to remain at home, instead of living in an institution, resonated with me.”
A little over a year ago, Kristie joined the Home Instead office owned by Bert and Stephanie Copple. In September 2021, Home Instead General Manager Anne Monaghan announced that Kristie had been honored as CAREGiver of the Month.
When asked what she liked most about her job as a CAREGiver, Kristie said: “I am gratified by the impact I make on my client’s life. It gives me great fulfillment. I love when I take my client shopping. You can see the joy on her face. In addition to that, I love when I help a couple. I make their life a little easier and a lot happier, even if it is just for the evening.”
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.
