Through Her Losses, Connie Helps Others
Care Professional of the Month Connie Newton has been widowed twice. Instead of dwelling on her heartbreaking losses, Connie tries to use the experiences to help others. One way to do that, Connie said, is to empathize with her Home Instead® clients and comfort them when it is appropriate.
Connie, a faith-based person, follows the biblical guidance of 2 Corinthians 1:3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
“Widowed clients and I have something in common. Some had been with a spouse for a very long time. With tragedies, there is a kinship with clients in some instances. In fact, most of them have experienced the loss of a person close to them because their lives have gone on for so long. Those clients do look at me differently and know I understand. Other folks don’t normally understand what someone has gone through. Of course, clients have been through all kinds of sorrow. For instance, I’ve never lost a child. It would be unimaginable,” said Connie, who has been married to her third husband for 23 years. “We both love the Lord,” she said.
Connie added: “Many clients and I also have the same faith-based belief system. The Good Lord gave me courage and inspiration, and I can share that with anyone who invites me to do so. I am never intrusive about faith beliefs. I respect every client’s view and wishes. In one case, I pray with one man who is experiencing the effects of a stroke, and we pray over breakfast. He actually prays before every meal. If there’s any bit of comfort I can add, I will.”
Connie joined Home Instead of Lubbock in September 2019 while looking online specifically for senior-care jobs. Tracy and Terry Baugh own the award-winning franchise, and Juanita Camacho is the recruitment and engagement coordinator. During Connie’s search, the first employer who came up was Home Instead. She applied, and 30 minutes later, Home Instead called and set up an interview. Connie began her career in caring for others in 1987 as an EMT-Intermediate. Later, Connie became an emergency services dispatcher and helped institute the 911 system in Lubbock County. Over time, she shifted gears and now has found her niche.
“Senior care is my calling. My people (clients and their family members) love me,” Connie said. “Our clients deserve our utmost respect. I had two hospice clients who knew they would die. I took it one day at a time with them, and we were just concerned about that particular day. In one instance now, every time I get in my car, I rub my cross and pray for a client.”
Connie works with three regular clients during a six-day work week. She assists each client twice a week, including a 24/7 dementia client who lives in a care community. “His dementia is late-stage. He cannot talk and barely walks. I talk to him and feed him because he cannot hold a cup or fork. On one Monday, I couldn’t get him to eat a bite. The next day, he ate all of his breakfast. He recognizes his son and perhaps recognizes his wife,” Connie said.
With another client, Connie said, “I am blown away. He amazes me. He has left-side paralysis and uses a scooter. He’s a Vietnam veteran who tries to be self-sufficient. A tree branch fell in his front yard, and he hooked it up to his scooter and tried to haul it away. I’ve been with him almost three years. He has a Care Pro six days a week. He lives in his own home by himself; his wife died three years ago.”
The Home Instead staff announced Connie’s Care Pro of the Month honor on May 6. Juanita said: “She’s a great Care Pro who has a genuine heart for caring for others. She is always happy, and her cheerful outlook and heartwarming personality are two of her greatest qualities as a Care Pro. Connie provides the highest standard of quality care possible for our clients.”
Juanita added: “Through dedication, compassion and respect, Connie works tirelessly to meet all of our clients’ needs. Connie always stays positive even in challenging situations. She puts her creativity to work and produces a solution. Connie is always ready and willing to help our clients and take on extra assignments.”
As far as her professional senior-care career goes, Connie takes a spiritual view. “The Lord gave me today. I thank the Lord for the day and don’t look ahead. Tomorrow is not promised,” she said. “As I think about the future, I just pray I’ll have someone with compassion who will take good care of me when I am old and need the help.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (806) 281-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
