Paulette Sees Caregiving as 'a Higher Calling'
Paulette enjoyed more than 30 years of service with the Ford Motor Company before she retired. "Working for Ford served its purpose, and I am glad I worked for Ford, but Home
Instead is a higher calling," said Paulette, who has been honored as CAREGiver of the Month for Home Instead Senior Care® of North Oakland County.
Paulette first worked for owner Glenna Yaroch's Home Instead Senior Care franchise in Livonia, Michigan, as a part-time CAREGiver while working for Ford. When Paulette retired from Ford, she also left Home Instead and relocated to Atlanta to help her daughter, who is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientist. "She went to Africa to work during a major Ebola outbreak. I took care of my grandson while she was gone for about a year," Paulette explained.
Paulette returned to Michigan and wanted to work for Home Instead Senior Care again. "Glenna had sold the Livonia franchise and acquired the Waterford franchise, so I had to do a little searching for her. I was happy when I found her," Paulette said. "So, I have worked for Home Instead Senior Care off and on for 10 to 12 years."
Glenna's award-winning Waterford office serves Clarkston, West Bloomfield and 15 other communities. "The second go-round with Home Instead is even better in the sense that I am more flexible because of retirement. I am dedicating more time to working as a CAREGiver. I enjoy every client. As far as I am concerned, it's all about the client," Paulette said.
Even with the challenging clients, Paulette said, caregiving is a good job.
"You have to consider that dementia amplifies the personality traits. Taking care of someone with dementia is humbling because you realize it could be you in the coming years. Some clients have a lot of fear. Some have anger about past events in their lives, and it manifests itself again now. One client lashed out once, but I understood her. There can be all kinds of emotions as well as confusion. I look inward and try to learn a lot about life from their experiences. You build a relationship and love on them, and that's the key. You can try to give them hope," she said.
There are success stories. Paulette recently worked her magic with one client, who recuperated and was able to end service. "She left a care facility at the height of the novel coronavirus. Her doctor recommended home care. She stayed safe and recuperated faster in a home environment. I offered my assistance with exercises," Paulette explained.
"She was more confident with having a CAREGiver with her. I did overnight shifts. She was not confident getting out of bed. She had a fear of falling. She got back into the routine of showering. I showed her little tricks on how to compensate while relearning how to shower by herself. It gave her confidence."
"Confidence" is huge for seniors. Paulette understands.
"I have been with one client for more than a year. I met her in rehabilitation and followed her when she moved back to the facility. Falls are her biggest fear. She has a falling sensation while getting out of bed. She needed more confidence," Paulette said.
"I keeping assuring her and other clients. I tell them, 'You are not falling on my watch!' I build up their confidence. This particular client, who moved back to the facility, is moving in the right direction. With COVID-19, for a few clients, I've talked them down from stressing by assuring them. As a CAREGiver, I have the right level of protection with PPE. I keep my mask on. I assure them by the precautions I take. I constantly wash my hands and disinfect. They are comfortable with me and my procedures."
Paulette still sees a career with Home Instead Senior Care even if she moves again. "Home Instead is worldwide," Paulette pointed out. I don't see a retirement. I will do this as long as God gives me the grace."
Home Instead CAREGivers, who are screened, trained, bonded and insured, provide a variety of services to help keep seniors independent. For inquiries about employment with Home Instead Senior Care, please call (248) 221-1487 or apply online. For further information, visit Waterford Home Instead Senior Care or to learn more about the Home Instead's services view our home care digital brochure.
