Family Caregiving Was Precursor to DeChantel’s Care Pro Job
DeChantel Rivera and her compassionate heart could not ignore her grandmother’s needs. When her grandma became bedbound eight years ago, DeChantel sprang into action in what turned out to be a three-year family caregiving journey. In December 2018, DeChantel’s grandma was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Two weeks later, on Christmas Day, she passed away.
At about the same time, DeChantel also assisted a private-duty client. “I worked with her for a year before her family decided to place her in an assisted-living facility,” DeChantel explained. More recently, DeChantel had been working with a private-duty client for about two years. Then, earlier this year, DeChantel found Home Instead® of Philadelphia on Indeed.com.
“I read the website summary about Home Instead’s Care Professional position, and I liked what they described,” recalled DeChantel, who also previously had worked in retail for 10 years. When DeChantel clicked onto the “careers tab” on https://www.homeinstead.com/location/517/home-care-jobs/ , this is some of what she read:
“We know caregiving is essential work and a responsibility of love, so we do things differently. We treat our Care Pros with respect by developing their skills and providing great support so they can focus on delivering amazing care. We offer flexible hours so Care Pros have greater control over their schedules, and our person-centered training program equips Care Pros to confidently step into a senior’s home. Care Pros have opportunities to advance their careers and futures. While providing companionship and essential care for seniors, Care Pros are rewarded personally and professionally.”
DeChantel found her niche. The Home Instead promises were rock-solid and an inspiration for every shift. Even more, it turned out that all of DeChantel’s family caregiving and private-duty experience also propelled her to an award-winning status with Home Instead. Ten months after DeChantel started with owner Steve Levin’s franchise, she was honored as Home Instead’s Care Pro of the Month for October.
Among the considerations for achieving Care Pro the Month status, an employee has shown she has gone above and beyond the call of duty, Home Instead Service Manager Janelle Muhlanga pointed out. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. DeChantel 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, Janelle emphasized.
DeChantel said: “I love that I am able to meet new people from all kinds of backgrounds. I have learned so many things from my clients. There are so many client stories from which to choose for memorable days. I had a male client, and he was in early stage of dementia. He’s a retired school teacher. He taught me so much about the different historic statues that are around the city. It was always a history lesson when I worked with him. And, I really appreciate it.”
DeChantel loves being a part of the Care Pro team for the Philadelphia franchise, a member of a network comprised of Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and Care Pros. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Pros across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (215) 925-4610 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
