Twist of Fate: Ruben, Former Hospital Patient Are Reunited
Ruben Garcia Sr. couldn’t believe his eyes. He had just started with Home Instead® of Midland-Odessa as a Care Professional. One of his clients turned out to be a former patient when the two were at the Seminole Hospital District in Seminole, Texas, about 70 miles northwest of Midland on Highway 385.
“It was almost magical when Ruben’s path crossed with the patient who is now one of our clients here at Home Instead. Ruben had just joined our team of Care Pros,” said Imelda Hawkins, the human resources director, assistant administrator and recruitment and engagement coordinator for the award-winning Home Instead franchise owned by Lorena and William Shensky.
“Ruben comes to us by way of the Seminole hospital, where he worked for 15 years, including two years as a nurse’s aide. Ruben has been outstanding after joining us at Home Instead. His knowledge, respectfulness and compassion made him the unanimous choice for our May Care Professional of the Month. Ruben has been one of my proudest additions to our Home Instead family,” Imelda said.
Among the considerations for achieving Care Professional of the Month status, an employee has shown he or she has gone above and beyond the call of duty, Imelda pointed out. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Ruben embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.” He is someone who is exceptional at his work with any client, Imelda emphasized.
Imelda added: “Ruben drives more than an hour one way to make sure that our clients are safe, secure and able to stay home as long as possible.”
In addition to his strong companionship skills, Ruben provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Ruben offers personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, Ruben and his fellow Care Pros not only assist their clients, but help their families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.
To build on their knowledge and experience, Ruben and other Midland-Odessa Care Pros are offered the opportunity to increase their dementia-care skills by taking part in the Home Instead network’s one-of-a-kind training protocol.
Home Instead’s Person-Centered Care Training for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias is recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association® for incorporating the evidence-based dementia-care practice recommendations in these topic areas: Alzheimer’s and dementia, person-centered care, assessment and care planning, activities of daily living, and behaviors and communication.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
