As a Teen, Diane Was Impressed by Caregivers
When Diane Boucher was in junior high school, she was amazed when she saw how professional in-home caregivers had helped her grandfather. Because Diane and other family members also had been assisting her grandfather, Diane watched closely. “I became familiar with those professionals and really liked what they did,” said Diane, who many years later was selected as a Care Professional of the Month with award-winning Home Instead® of Mount Airy.
Recalling those teen years, Diane explained further: “When my grandfather first needed help, he lived with my aunt and her family. They needed a break, so Grandpa stayed with us every other week. When it started, all of us helped out with his care. Then, when he required more help, it became harder for us to care for him. That’s when my family found professionals to help. That was my first family senior caregiving experience. Years later, I jumped in when my parents needed help, but I didn’t get to do much for them since I lived far away when they were ill.”
For Diane, family caregiving was the genesis of a career. When she joined the workforce, she entered the health-care field as an aide. “I wanted to be a nurse, so I tried in-home care at first to see if I really could do it,” she said. “From there, I got my CNA license at a nursing home. Then I went to work at a hospital. After that, I finally bit the bullet and went to LPN school. I worked in various places as an LPN, including hospitals, nursing homes and in-home agencies. I worked with children and adults. I enjoyed in-home care the most. It’s more personal, and you get to know people in their environment.”
Diane joined Home Instead, owned by Van and Ann Lankford, about a year in a half ago. “I had known about Home Instead for a while. I go to church with Molly, the daughter of Van and Ann. I saw their newspaper advertisement for Home Instead Care Professionals and decided to get back to work,” said Diane, who recently was honored as the franchise’s Care Pro of the Month for April in an announcement made by Staff Coordinator Sharon Bledsoe.
Listing her clients and the Home Instead staff as her two biggest job fulfillments, Diane said: “My clients are the sweetest little ladies. I really enjoy all that I do for them. I make meals for them, clean a little, do laundry, make sure they are safely getting about with their canes and walkers. I also am there to be a companion, someone to whom they can talk.”
Diane said the office staff is “so kind and helpful,” pointing out: “My husband and daughter have some health problems, so I have to take off on short notice sometimes, and sometimes an extended time off is necessary. Everyone from Home Instead was wonderful, checking in with me and praying for my family members. I was overwhelmed by that. I never felt as if I had a family at work before. It’s nice to know you are not alone, whether you are going through troubled times or not.”
Diane’s favorite caregiving stories are from all of the Home Instead clients she has served. The memories have been cultural experiences related to regional differences in the sprawling United States. “I grew up in Pennsylvania, and I have lived in 10 states, so it’s obvious to my clients I’m not from North Carolina. So, we talk about how things are different everywhere,” Diane said.
“The clients teach me such things as how to cook Southern style and how to understand Southern terminology. For instance, here in North Carolina, toboggans are hats and not giant multi-person sleds, LOL (laughing out loud). I’ve also noticed many Southerners also like banana and mayonnaise sandwiches.”
Diane added: “I just really enjoy when my clients tell me about the past, how they grew up and how modern things weren’t around, like cars. Movies were their only entertainment and news sources back in the day besides the newspaper. I have learned what it was like with World War II rationing and where they were when different things in history took place. I’ve heard how life on the farm or in town was when my clients were growing up. My clients make me smile every day, and. I love what I do.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (336) 789-4472 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
