Dean Nwokey isn't the average college student who finds just any available summer job during the three-month break from classes. For the past two summers, Dean has worked for owner Greg Gomez-Mira's award-winning Home Instead Senior Care® franchise that serves Houston, Bellaire, Sugar Land, Missouri City and 19 other cities.
Since Dean is a client favorite, it was no surprise when Scheduling Coordinator Rebecca Garcia announced Dean had been honored as a CAREGiver of the Month a few weeks before he returned to classes at American International University in Boston. Dean is studying for entry into the occupational therapy field.
"Last year, I saw Home Instead on Indeed.com. I wanted to find a summer job that was going to be the right fit for me in terms of flexibility, so I could work part time. The Home Instead staff is welcoming, and they were good about allowing me to take a little time for vacation," explained Dean, who has entered his fourth year of college.
The Home Instead Senior Care office receives a lot of requests for Dean, especially from one couple because Dean is so good at role-playing with the husband. The 85-year-old former business manager has Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia. As a result of the effects of the dementia, the client still sees himself participating in daily business meetings.
"I've worked with him both summers. When I first came in, he would say, 'Shhhh! A meeting is in progress.' I've literally sneaked into the room trying not to disturb 'the meeting' to simply ask, 'Your wife wants to know if you want an orange.' I understand him and the challenges he now faces. You can see he was a down-to-business businessman because he can be stern. He does have times where he's flexible. He addresses me as co-worker, intern, even sometimes as the actual CAREGiver, saying, 'Dean, go ahead and go on break,' " Dean said.
"He wants things done in a particular order. A routine means everything, and I am fully aware it's comforting to not only those with dementia, but to us all. His routine is, 'I want to walk, then shower, then I will eat breakfast.' His wife's routine is this: She wants him to eat breakfast, shower and then walk. I have to honor his independence, just as I would want someone to honor my autonomy."
With Dean's assistance, the client takes slow walks. Dean's background and education in occupational therapy comes in handy. "That's one reason they wanted me to be his CAREGiver. I push the idea of walking, otherwise he'd be in a wheelchair. Like many other things, if you don't use it, you lose it in terms of functionality," Dean said.
"The family likes the idea of my ability to softly insist that he walk. I quietly say, 'No wheelchair, let's walk.' I facilitate the walking in such a way that he's literally following my lead. It came about by a very careful trial and error. I'll say, 'Hold me here with one hand and hold me there with another.' He's not the biggest guy, but neither am I. I do it for as long as his motor skills remain kicked in. His leg strength is good."
The client's family always lets Dean know that he is appreciated – with complimentary words and a selection of garden vegetables. The last time Dean worked a shift with his client in August, the client's wife said, "We will miss you."
Dean explained, "I usually worked Monday through Friday, but it's whenever they needed me. They requested certain weekends. The daughter is involved with close-in care and visits a lot, so we synched up care with the entire family. It's safe to say we all bonded. I miss them. It is hard to stay in contact with them because my schedule is so busy, but I try to write a note to them on occasion and mail it. We will meet again. Maybe next time I visit Texas. It's all in due time."
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 (713) 955-1909, email Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Margi Kenny at margi.kenny@homeinstead.com or fill in the email prompts at https://www.homeinstead.com/541/home-care-jobs, where there is an online application. For further information about the company, including Home Instead's services, please go to its website at https://www.homeinstead.com/541/home-instead-senior-care. Our Home Instead Senior Care franchise serves Houston, Arcola, Bellaire, First Colony, Fresno, Greatwood, Iowa Colony, Lake Olympia, Meyer Park, Meyerland, Missouri City, Pearland, Quail Valley, Riverstone, Rosharon, Shadow Creek Ranch, Sienna Plantation, Stafford, Sugar Land, Sunnyside, Sweetwater, Thompsons and Westbury
