Nicole Balances Care Pro Duties With Family Caregiving
For the past four months, Nicole has been pulling double duty as an award-winning Care Professional for Home Instead® of North Oakland County in Waterford, Michigan, and as a family caregiver for her grandmother. That kind of compassionate commitment to others is nothing new for Nicole. “Helping people is my calling,” she said.
Nicole, who joined Home Instead earlier in 2023 and recently was honored as the franchise’s Care Pro of the Month, has been a home health care professional for more than seven years. She earned her Home Health Aide certification for Michigan on her own and not through any employer – an impressive accomplishment. Nicole also gained certifications for work involving bloodborne pathogens, for CPR and for other specialized forms of health care.
“Outside of professional health care, I’ve been taking care of many family members over the years. I moved here from Gladwin, Michigan, more than a year ago to take care of my grandma during the day hours. I work for Home Instead at night,” she explained
Nicole got her first taste of family caregiving when she was 10 years old, after her mother underwent neck and back surgery. “I helped my mother by preparing meals or getting them for her. At age 14, I was able to get a provisional driver’s license and drove my mother around for things such as medical appointments. My mother is doing much better. She is taking care of my dad. He has 30 percent heart function,” said Nicole, who graduated from Lake View High School in 2009 and at first had thought about becoming a teacher. “I love what I am doing, whether it’s for Home Instead or as a family caregiver.”
Nicole added: “Before taking care of my grandmother, I had taken care of my father-in-law for four years, including end-of-life care. He had dementia. Of course, I’ve helped my parents. I also provided end-of-life care for a friend’s mother, who had Alzheimer’s.”
Nicole lives with her grandparents, ages 83 (grandfather) and 81 (grandmother). They have been married 61 years. “My grandmother, who has diabetes, is not in great health and no longer drives. She uses a cane and walker, and she can do a few things on her own. Among other things, I help her take care of the bills,” said Nicole, who eventually wants to become a registered nurse.
Nicole doesn’t shrink from any challenges. “I handle the clients who face the biggest obstacles in life because I’ve had experience taking care of people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. I have no problem handling personal care such as colostomy bags and catheters. In fact, I have been licensed to do so,” she explained.
Despite her family caregiving and assistance for Home Instead clients, Nicole said her energy level is good because she has settled into a routine and knows her limits. “I am getting enough sleep. I haven’t been overcome by burnout. If I feel I need it, I go to Gail Wilk, our general manager, and ask to step away for a day or two and then go right back. The office communication is good. I can call anytime I have a problem. Not enough people want to work in caregiving. It can be taxing for the body and the soul for many people. I want to stay in the field. The baby boomers need help,” Nicole said.
Noting Nicole’s big heart, Gail said: “Nicole goes above and beyond the call of duty. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the Care Pro of the Month award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Nicole 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.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (248) 886-7300 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
