Care Professional Awards & Recognition

Do You Know Someone With A Caring Heart?

We all have that someone who is a natural born caregiver. If you know a friend or family member that would make an outstanding Care Pro, someone who would easily receive a standing ovation from Home Instead, please share the career opportunity - we’d love to meet them!

February 2024 Caregiver of the Month: Becky

Congratulations to Becky, our February 2024 Carepro of the Month!!

Becky has been with Home Instead for 5 years. She always has a smile on her face, that along with her calm and gentle demeanor make her an incredible caregiver. Her clients love her and always have kind things to say about her.

Becky has 7 Grandchildren and enjoys playing the piano and gardening. She volunteers with Hospice patients as well.

Thank you, Becky. For sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

January 2024 Caregiver Team of the Month: Bing, Jane, Tara, Zvv and Scott

CONGRATULATIONS TO BING, JANE, TARA, MITCH, ZVV AND SCOTT-OUR JANUARY 2024 CAREPRO TEAM OF THE MONTH!!!

Bing has been a Caregiver for almost 30 years, she loves being able to make a difference in peoples lives. She owned a store in the Philippines before moving here, where a friend introduced her to Caregiving.

Jane has been involved in Caregiving for 20 years. She was a stay-at-home mom before that to her 7 kids. She loves gardening, knitting and classical music. She also has a degree in Psychology.

Tara has been a Caregiver for about 26 years. She enjoys puzzles, baking cookies and crafts with her clients. Before becoming a caregiver, her previous job was as a nanny.

Mitch has worked as a Caregiver for 23 years. Mitch loves collecting stones from beaches and going for walks. Prior to working as a caregiver, she was also a Physical Therapist.

Zvv has done Caregiving on and off since 1980. He comes from a family of 6 and has many hobbies including Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, and bass guitar. He enjoys talking and watching movies with his clients.

Scott has been Caregiving for the past 6 years. He also has experience in the Graphic Design field. His hobbies include Art, surfing, camping, and hiking. He enjoys reading aloud to his clients.

Thank you, Team, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

December 2023 Caregiver of the Month: Tara

Tara has been a Caregiver for about 28 years. 8 of those have been with Home Instead.

She has also worked as a nanny. Tara has 3 kids and enjoys being a mother and a wife. She likes to craft when she has the time.

When she is with her clients, she likes to take them for walks and do puzzles and crafts. Tara is a fantastic Caregiver and always steps up to help with fill ins even at the last minute. We appreciate you and all your hard work and dedication.

Thank you, Tara. For sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

November 2023 Caregiver of the Month: Nancy

Nancy has been a CNA since 1984 and has been with us at Home Instead for 2 and a half years. She has also been a school bus driver in Alaska for 17 years. She enjoys getting out into the community with her clients, also telling stories of their past and taking them for drives.

She was born and raised in Port Townsend and enjoyed riding horses around town with 4-H. She has raised 2 daughters and is now raising 9 of her grandchildren. Fun fact about Nancy, she has attended the Iditarod races in Alaska and had the honor of knowing Joe Reddington SR

Thank you, Nancy. For sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

October 2023 Caregiver of the Month: Terridawn

Terridawn has been with Home Instead for 3 years. She has such a caring heart, and it shows through with all her clients. She has had a variety of different occupations over the years as she traveled the United States. She enjoys time with her clients by learning about their lives and trying to make sure she always follows their wishes.

Terridawn says that her love for God, family, friends, and animals keeps her heart full.

Thank you, Terridawn. For sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

September 2023 Caregiver of the Month: Shellie

Shellie has been in the healthcare industry since 1997, and a Caregiver with us for a total of a year and a half. Prior to Caregiving, she worked as a Medical Assistant. She had a famous client right out of CNA school in 1997. Paparazzi would ask to take pictures after her shift!

She is originally from Kentucky but moved to the Anacortes area at the age of 6. She has 4 adult children and enjoys arts & crafts and riding horses. She is a fantastic Care Professional and enjoys playing games, shopping, reminiscing, and reading aloud to her clients.

Thank you, Shellie. For sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

August 2023 Caregiver of the Month: Jerry

Jerry has been a Caregiver for about 5 years. He enjoys hearing about the adventures and experiences that his clients share with him.

His family is a pioneer family since 1882 in the Salt Creek area in Joyce. He says he also grew up with a very loving family that has instilled a good work ethic in him, which we can attest to at Home Instead, as he always makes sure he gets to his clients no matter what.

Thank you, Jerry. For sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

July 2023 CAREGiver of the Month: Steve

Steve has been a Caregiver for about a year before coming to Home Instead. Though he hasn’t been with us long, he stands out as an amazing and caring Caregiver.

He connects to his clients by listening to their stories, going out for a walk and Ice cream, or just sitting with them to play cribbage. Steve enjoys being out in nature, and says that rock hunting on the beach is a great way for him to relax. He has many interests that range from creating wire sculptures and doll house miniatures, to paying guitar and singing Karaoke.

Thank you, Steve. For sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

June 2023 Caregiver of the Month: Deana

Deana has been a CAREPro with Home Instead for about 4 ½ months but has cared for multiple family members over the years. Her past job experience has been a long-haul truck driver and a stay-at-home mom.

Deana connects with her clients by listening to stories of their life experiences, she enjoys cooking and playing games with them and checking out library books on different topics of interest for them.

She moved to Washington from Southern California seven months ago to live with her best friend after the passing of her husband of 33 years. She is a mother of three grown children and grandmother of three grandbabies. Deana enjoys being outdoors, reading, her two teacup chihuahuas, and church activities.

Thank you, Deana, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

May 2023 Caregiver of the Month: Alana

Alana has been a Caregiver for 5 years, 3 of which have been with us here at Home Instead.

Before working with us, she assisted friends and family out in the community with different odd jobs. Currently she is helping her parents raise some chickens. She enjoys drawing and writing and has recently published her own young adult horror novel.

Alana enjoys learning about her clients and their hobbies, so she can help them have memorable quality time.

Thank you, Alana, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

April 2023 Caregiver of the Month: Jimmie

Jimmie has been a Caregiver for 30 years, before that she was in sales, accounting, and a stay-at-home mom. Jimmie is wonderful with her clients and always tries to make sure they feel they are living a comfortable and fulfilling life.

Originally from Texas, she moved here about 8 years ago. She enjoys hiking with her standard poodle Gunner, who has trained himself to be her diabetic service dog.

Thank you, Jimmie, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

March 2023 Caregiver of the Month: Ashley

Ashley has been a Caregiver with Home Instead for only a few months, but has been very impressive with her positive attitude and willingness to jump in and take extra shifts and fill ins.

Thank you Ashley, For sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

February 2023 CAREGiver of the Month: Jim

January 2023 Caregivers of the Month: Rena, Merrilyn and Jovy

December 2022 Caregiver of the Month: Roxana

Roxana has been a Caregiver for 13 years, 7 of those have been with us at Home Instead. As the oldest sibling of 4 it seems only natural that it is something she is great at.
Having moved here from New York as a teenager, she said she loves the PNW even though it rains a lot! She loves being outdoors, traveling and exploring new places. This makes it all the better when her clients want to drive around and explore the town. Her skill level and ability have made it so she even helps out teaching some training classes to other Caregivers for Home Instead. Both her clients and their families are thrilled to have her on shift.

Thank you Roxana, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

Meghan loves the rewarding work with her clients. She feels like she’s made a difference with them. One of her favorite things to do with a client is to go on drives, take a picnic and even explore old forts.

She grew up in “a ridiculously small town” in Eastern Washington then moved to the area 2 years ago. She has a dog, Evy that she takes on walks and adventures at parks and local beaches. She loves to spend time with her boyfriend, friends and family.

Thank you, Meghan, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

November 2022 Caregiver of the Month: Lesley

Lesley has been with Home Instead for a little over a year. Her calm and kind personality makes her a perfect fit for Caregiving. Lesley does have quite the adventurous past having worked as a Wildland firefighter.

While spending time with clients, she enjoys taking them on walks, baking with them and learning more about their interests. Lesley has been praised for her ability to anticipate what the client needs and takes care of it before being asked. Family and clients both adore her.

She currently lives on a farm along with her dad, uncle and lots of chickens and ducks. She is also a proud mom to a Junior at the university of Puget Sound

Thank you, Lesley. For sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

October 2022 Caregiver of the Month: Brenda

Brenda has been with Home Instead for 4 ½ years and a caregiver for 7 years all together. Before that, she was the banquet captain at the Resort at Port Ludlow!!

When she is with clients, she likes to find activities they can do together. It might be cribbage or cooking or watching old movies. She likes to get them talking about their life and family, hear their stories…

Brenda comes from western Massachusetts which explains why she has no Boston accent. She and Jon have been happily unmarried for 22 years and they have a cat named Kitty! She has a son who also lives in Sequim. When she is not caring for clients, she loves to read and enjoys combing beaches looking for agates.

She says she’s loaded a U-Haul three times traveling across the country but says she is here to stay!

Thank you, Brenda, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us.  

September 2022 Caregiver of the Month: Lindel

Lindel has been a CAREGiver with Home Instead for about 5 years. Before that she was a pre-school teacher!! When with her clients, she enjoys everyday conversations that  encourage the client to share fun memories and good times. She loves to make them laugh!

Lindel spent most of her life in New Orleans. On a whim that she says even surprised herself, she and her husband moved to Port Ludlow and are so glad they did.

She shares that her daughter lives nearby and that she will be a grandma next month!

Thank you, Lindel, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us.

Q3 2022 Caregiving Team of the Quarter 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CAREGIVING TEAM OF THE QUARTER FOR QUARTER 3 2022

Our heartfelt thanks to Team Jean!

Thank you for rising above during challenging circumstances – Jean literally kept you all on your toes! Each of you rose to the challenge of working with this lovely yet busy gal. Thanks for your hard work!! As a result, Jean was able to live at home for as long as possible!

We thank each one of you for sharing your caring hearts with our community and with us!!

August 2022 CAREGiver of the Month: Cheryl

Cheryl has been a caregiver with Home Instead for a bit over a year. Before that she cared for various family members as well as her husband for 10 years. When with her clients, she enjoys everyday conversations as well as walking and driving.

Before becoming a Home Instead CAREGiver, she was a corporate analyst and trainer for Bank of America. As a trainer, she created and presented PowerPoint slide decks. She was also the gal who reviewed complaints for the office of the President for quality and compliance.

Cheryl was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada but her family immigrated when she was 7 months old. She was married and lived in California for 30 years until her hubby passed. She relocated to Washington in 2019. She lives with her cat, a kitten and a dog and a tank full of interesting fish including koi, some freshwater sharks, 2 shubunkins and a dojo loach. (I looked the last two up). She loves to quilt, spin and do living history.

As if all that isn’t interesting enough, Cheryl can sing “Happy Birthday” in English, French, Italian, German, and Tagalog!!

Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!

July 2022 CAREGiver of the Month: Gloria

Gloria has been with Home Instead for just about 5 months. Before that, she cared for family for a few months. She has 20+ years’ experience as a medical coder previous to being a caregiver.

She loves talking with her clients, asking about their travels and previous occupations among other things. Taking walks or playing cribbage are also part of her caregiving repertoire.

She was born and raised in California, but she and her family decided to move to the Pacific Northwest to raise their three children. Gloria and her husband have a farm terrier/border collie as well as a feisty cat, three hens and a rooster. She loves working in her garden as well as crocheting. Recently she bought supplies to learn to make soap!

She said that something not many people know about her is that she is hearing impaired and wears hearing aids.

Thank you, Gloria, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

Q2 2022 CAREGiving Team of the Quarter 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CAREGIVING TEAM OF THE QUARTER FOR QUARTER 2 2022

Our heartfelt thanks to Team Marjorie!

Thank you for rising above during challenging circumstances – Marjorie most definitely tested your limits! Due to your unique blend of abilities and varied levels of experience, Marjorie was able to live at home for as long as possible!

We thank each and every one of you for sharing your caring hearts with our community and with us!!

June 2022 CAREGiver of the Month: Tara

Tara has been a caregiver for Home Instead seven years in November. Before that she was a caregiver for 24 years taking care of her father-in-law until he passed and then her Down syndrome nephew and other special needs. 

She likes to cook with her clients as well as do crafts if possible and just be with them. She says, “I love caring and giving”. Before she became a caregiver, she worked here and there at retail stores. It was only after she got married that she became a caregiver full time. 

Tara is originally from Utah and is the oldest of five. She has been married for 25 years and has three children and two grandchildren and a beautiful daughter-in-law. She also loves her two cats. When she has the time, she likes working with essential oils, cooking, and scrapbooking, “oh, and playing with my kids of course”! 

When asked what something would be interesting and different about her, she said, “Three times I helped my niece to deliver her babies”.

Thank you, Tara, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!! 

May 2022 CAREGiver of the Month: Maile

Maile (“Miley”) has been a caregiver with Home Instead for over 6 months. Before joining Home Instead, she worked with animals in a shelter as well as a groomer. Other life experience has had her working in the restaurant business as well as wineries.

Maile loves getting to know her clients through talks as well as working on various types of projects. They often will cook together as well as go on walks.  

When she is not working with her clients, she loves to be outdoors: fishing, hiking, camping, etc. She is currently studying psychology. Maile is from Honolulu, HI and has a dog named Kekoa. At one time, she was in an ROTC program with the Air Force called the Civil Air Patrol. But what might be fun to know about her is that she is Tahitian dancer! 

Thank you, Maile, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!! 

April 2022 CAREGiver of the Month: Sharon

Sharon has been a caregiver for some 13 years, the last six of which have been with Home Instead. Before joining Home Instead, she was worked in the chemical industry helping to produce calibration devices for detection of explosives.

Sharon says her clients enjoy her cooking. She encourages her clients to get out and about so quite often they go for car trips.

She grew up in Georgia and has always been an outdoors person. Before her husband passed, they travelled all over, nearly always near water so they could enjoy diving together. When she isn’t with her clients, she loves working in her garden and yard. A little-known fact: she was licensed to fly small aircraft.

Thank you, Sharon, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

Q1 2022 CAREGiving Team of the Quarter 

Our heartfelt thanks to Team Lorena for everything you do and your tireless dedication to your client! Your unique blend of abilities and varied levels of experience has enabled Lorena to spend her life exactly where she wants to be - at home.

Thank you, Team Lorena, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

March 2022 CAREGiver of the Month: Ingrid

Ingrid has been a caregiver all of her adult life but has been with Home Instead for over 5 years. Before joining Home Instead, she was trained as an RN and was a surgical nurse in her native country, Germany. Because her husband was in the military, they moved around a lot and finally landed in Washington State. Rather than getting further education to qualify as an RN in the US, she decided to become a CNA. 

Ingrid loves working with her clients doing anything from playing games to taking car trips. Her favorite thing is just to get to know them.  

When she is not working with her clients, she loves to work in her vegetable garden and keeps chickens. She and her husband are “empty-nesters” but that doesn’t stop Ingrid from living to the fullest. You might even see her out running as she loves to get in 80 or so miles a month. 

Thank you, Ingrid, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

February 2022 CAREGiver of the Month: Dung

Dung (pronounced Young) has been a caregiver with Home Instead since December 2017. Prior to that she had been a pre-med student. And she worked in her family business – a nail salon!

She loves the rewarding work with her clients. She likes to cook and take walks with some of her clients and enjoys helping them with doing exercise and physical therapy routines.

When she isn’t caring for clients or helping in her parents’ nail shop, she likes to hang out with friends in Seattle or go hiking. And when she isn’t doing that, she even lets herself enjoy watching shows on Netflix.

When I asked her if she had nails, she said occasionally on special times she’ll get her nails done but she told me it isn’t practical to have nails being a caregiver. Her real love is make-up and skin care.

Thank you, Dung, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

January 2022 CAREGiver of the Month: Merrilyn

Merrilyn has been with Home Instead for 5 years for a total of 8 years of caregiving overall. Before becoming a caregiver for Home Instead, she worked in a hospital.

She enjoys talking and playing games with her clients, as well as going for drives. Merrilyn feels like she’s made a difference with them. One of her favorite things to do with a client is to cook.

When Merrilyn isn’t working with clients, she likes to do crafts, work in her garden and she loves her Bull Terrier. She is shy about it, but Merrilyn is a licensed massage therapist.

Thank you, Merrilyn, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

December 2021 CAREGiver of the Month: Meghan

Meghan has been with Home Instead for 2 years here in Washington and 8 months while living in California. Before becoming a caregiver for Home Instead, she cared for her aunt, worked in fast food, gas stations, a lifeguard – oh, and even a potato factory. But she recalls wondering if there was a job like she did caring for her aunt. And that is when she discovered Home Instead!

Meghan loves the rewarding work with her clients. She feels like she’s made a difference with them. One of her favorite things to do with a client is to go on drives, take a picnic and even explore old forts.

She grew up in “a ridiculously small town” in Eastern Washington then moved to the area 2 years ago. She has a dog, Evy that she takes on walks and adventures at parks and local beaches. She loves to spend time with her boyfriend, friends and family.

Thank you, Meghan, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

November 2021 CAREGiver of the Month: Jeremiah

Jeremiah has been with Home Instead for less than a year. Although he is new to caregiving, he has quickly picked up the necessary skills and abilities. Before becoming a caregiver, he was a cook which comes in very handy with his clients.

His favorite part of working here is the relationships with his clients. He loves to spend his time getting to know them, oftentimes driving them around the area.

Jeremiah has always lived in Sequim. At home he loves yoga and reading. He is a part-time dog daddy for his corgi, Appa, whose claim to fame is “pillar of the family”! He shares that he has visited Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. You wouldn’t know it now, but claims he had buck teeth!

Thank you, Jeremiah, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

October 2021 CAREGiver of the Month: Mary

Mary has been with Home Instead for less than a year but in that time she has risen to the top. Although she is new to caregiving, she has quickly picked up the necessary skills and abilities. Before becoming a caregiver, she was a teacher of middle school aged children, which explains why she fits this caregiving so well.

When at work, she loves to spend her time talking with her clients as well as watching movies together.

Mary comes to us from Kenya originally. At home she loves to take care of her garden and if you haven’t been offered fresh eggs from her chickens, stop by the office!

Thank you, Mary, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

September 2021 CAREGiver of the Month: Tatum

Tatum has been with Home Instead for just over a year. Although she is new to caregiving, she has quickly risen to the top in her skills and abilities. Before becoming a caregiver, she was in the hospitality industry, a perfect place to transition from.

When at work, she loves to spend her time talking with her clients as well as watching movies together.

She and her spouse enjoy skateboarding and just plain lounging around. They have an interesting collection of pets. Two cats, which wouldn’t be as interesting if it weren’t for the fact that they also have a spider, a bearded dragon, and a snake!! Needless to say, make sure to knock if you were going to visit!

She shares that not many people know her middle name is Diamonde.

Thank you, Tatum, for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

August 2021 CAREGivers of the Month: Amy & Jovy

Amy has been a caregiver for seven years and has been with Home Instead since Jan 2018. She loves meeting new clients and just can't decide what part of the job she loves the most.  But if she had to pick, she loves to reminisce with her clients.

Amy was born in Pennsylvania and has lived in California and Alaska before moving to Washington in 1987. She has two children and two grands!!

Before she became a caregiver, she lived in a small fishing village in Alaska. The town started out with a population of 12 but by the time she left it had exploded to 50! She owned and cooked for a restaurant - from her home!

Jovy has been caregiving for nine years, the last seven with Home Instead. She truly enjoys learning about her clients – their background, upbringing, and such. She loves to take them shopping and walking, and manages to get away with teasing them in a nice way!

Jovy is originally from the Philippines and raised in a family of 10! Before she was a caregiver, she was a housewife.

She stays busy volunteering for the Catholic church, to which she is devoted. And when she isn’t doing that, she can be found dancing, walking and biking! She is a self-proclaimed pain in the neck!!

Thank you, Amy and Jovy, for sharing your caring hearts with our community and with us!!

July 2021 CAREGiver of the Month: Kaylee

Kaylee started caregiving a year and a half ago when she joined Home Instead. Her favorite part about caregiving is having conversations with her clients and learning about their life experiences. She also enjoys helping her clients have fun and feel youthful again.

Prior to being a CAREGiver, Kaylee was a network administrator in the Marine Corp. She loves going to the gun range and is an “expert” with a rifle. She was born and raised in Washington State and enjoys traveling to Alaska in the summers. Kaylee is close with her family and has a dog named Chevy that is her world, and very spoiled. They enjoy going for hikes and walks frequently.

Thank you Kaylee for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

June 2021 CAREGiver of the Month: Natalie

Natalie started her caregiving career when she joined the Home Instead team a year and a half ago.  She loves the community feel of the team and company and enjoys being a part of her clients’ lives.  Her favorite activities to share with her clients include knitting and visiting the library.  Bringing a smile to the faces of her clients and having a positive impact in their lives means the world to her.  Before becoming a CAREGiver, Natalie worked as a lifeguard and a screen printer.  She has 6 siblings and has the distinction of being the only one born in Port Angeles.  When not at work Natalie enjoys reading, swimming, baking and spending time with her wonderful cat Zeniba.

Thank you Natalie for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

May 2021 CAREGiver of the Month: Amanda

After 5 years of being a caregiver, Amanda joined our team in 2020 and has been compassionately caring for many of our clients - she says it’s been “one wonderful year”. Her favorite part of being a CAREGiver is all the different and interesting people that she gets the pleasure of spending time with and getting to know them. She loves hearing and learning about the rich history her clients enjoy sharing and the events they have witnessed. Amanda moved back to the Port Angeles area after spending 15 years in Oregon where she says she met her soulmate. Together they share 1 very energetic and delightful chocolate lab. When not working she enjoys going to lake Crescent and exploring the area with her amazing family. And….Amanda is fluent in Japanese.

Thank you Amanda for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!

April 2021 CAREGiver of the Month: Tanya

Tanya has been in the caregiving field for almost 5 years and we have been fortunate to have her as a bright star in our Home Instead family for 9 months. She says that ever since she was little all she has wanted to do was help people. And with every interaction she has with her clients, that passion shines through. Tanya’s caring heart very quickly makes her clients and their families feel at ease knowing they are in good hands. Some of her favorite activities with her clients include talking and learning more about them and their history, crocheting, working together on projects, and just hanging out. Originally from Texas, Tanya has been enjoying exploring the Olympic Peninsula and spending time with her family and cat Mittens since moving to Port Angeles several years ago.

Thank you Tanya for sharing your caring heart with our community and with us!!