Andrea Meets All Challenges, Personal or Professional
Andrea Taylor, a senior-care professional for the past 27 years, found herself in a challenging family caregiving role in recent years. The good news was that the experienced and highly skilled Andrea knew what to do. The bad news was the inescapable crushing and emotional end of care: Andrea lost a dear family member. Whether it is the loss of a family member or a client, the fulfilling senior-care field has its tough days, even for the experienced.
“About three years ago,” Andrea explained, “I took care of my grandmother, who was suffering from dementia. We had our good days as well as our bad ones. I found myself being very patient while keeping her as comfortable as possible. I tried to engage her with as much mental stimulation as she could handle. She loved to sing the Gospels, and I loved to listen. Her smile was everything to me. Unfortunately, in November 2019, she lost her battle with dementia. Grandma will forever be my angel.”
For the past 10½ months, Andrea has worked for the award-winning Home Instead® franchise of Philadelphia, owned by Steve Levin. The company’s general manager is Charlea Lyn Grieco, who announced that Andrea had been honored as a CAREGiver of the Month. Among the considerations for achieving CAREGiver of the Month status, an employee has shown he or she has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Compassion is taken into account for the award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Andrea is a shining example of 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.
Showing her experience and empathy, Andrea adjusted on the fly and fulfilled a unique request by a fill-in client without batting an eye.
“She loved to watch television on mute, never using the sound. She asked me to watch a movie with her, and I agreed. Her next question took me by surprise. She asked if I knew how to read because she was not putting the sound on, so I just sat there and read closed captions on the screen. It was an unusual request, but it was something she wanted. I want the clients to be happy. She has now passed away but is surely missed,” Andrea said.
In addition to her strong companionship skills, Andrea provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Andrea offers personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, Andrea and her fellow CAREGivers not only assist their clients, but help their families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.
Steve and Charlea are pleased they were able to snag such a valuable employee last year. Andrea recounted the episode that led to her hiring. “A close friend referred me to Home Instead. I had been employed through another company that was not valuing my talents and what I had to offer. So, I moved on,” said Andrea, who entered caregiving just two years out of high school. In 1995, she took a position caring for the elderly and has been in the field ever since.
“Being a CAREGiver, I love how the Home Instead staff values my opinions. They will listen to my concerns and work with me to correct any problems that may occur. I’m very pleased to be a part of a team that really cares for its clients as well as staff.”
Andrea’s franchise is a member of a highly successful network founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska. The network is the world’s leading provider of in-home care services for older adults, with more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises that provide care throughout the United States and 13 other countries.
All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (215) 925-4610 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
