Franchise Owner: Sharon ‘Is Home Instead’
In sports parlance, Sharon Bledsoe “hit the ball out of the park” when she interviewed for a Care Professional position 10 years ago with Home Instead co-owner Van Lankford and staff member Angela Allen at the award-winning franchise in Mount Airy, North Carolina. “I still remember that day,” Van said. “Our franchise was only a year old. Angela, who is now our General Manager, and I were working out of a small, four-room office just off Main Street.”
“In our office, we have a phrase for people who immediately make a great impression on us and who we feel best reflect the high values and standards of our office and our global franchise network. We say, ‘She or he is “Home Instead.” ’ When Sharon left after her interview, Angela and I looked at each other and said, ‘She is “Home Instead!” ’ Sharon continues to live out those values in her role as Staffing Coordinator, a role to which we promoted her eight years ago,” said Van, whose franchise celebrated Sharon’s 10th anniversary with Home Instead.
Van added: “I remember thinking I had never met anyone who loved seniors as much as Sharon did. Sharon was very active in the senior community before coming to Home Instead. She was a manager at one of our local senior center’s nutrition sites as well as volunteering her time to run activities for seniors at a local fast-food restaurant. When she spoke, her passion for seniors was evident. Another thing I remember about that first meeting with Sharon was her sense of humor. Sharon laughed a lot that day, and her joy was infectious.”
Van used a famous quote to describe Sharon’s compassionate nature: “The poet Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will forget what you said and they will forget what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.’ ”
Van pointed out that the 10th anniversary celebration wasn’t simply a nod to Sharon’s longevity. “Sharon is excellent at what she does. Our Care Pros know how much she loves and appreciates them, and they will go the extra mile for her. Also, her organizational skills in staffing are such that other Home Instead offices in our state have sent their schedulers to our office to shadow her. Sharon is truly a valuable part of our team!” Van said.
When Sharon arrived at Home Instead to care for seniors, all she wanted to do was help. “My time with Home Instead has been very, very rewarding. I love the elderly. I have worn a lot of different hats. I have enjoyed every one of my areas of responsibility,” said Sharon, who moved from Care Pro to receptionist to Staffing Coordinator and on-call to hiring and training, and back to Staffing Coordinator.
“Staffing the Care Pros has been the hardest responsibility I’ve had, but it is the most rewarding. Every day, I try to help everyone connected with our franchise. The Care Pros are my friends. They are the heart of our company. You have to put yourself in the Care Pros’ shoes. I have always wanted to make great Care Pro-client matchups. That makes my job fulfilling. If you are a Care Pro, you’ve got to be happy and fulfilled with what you have done for your clients. If not, something has to change,” Sharon said.
When someone pointed out that a Home Instead Staffing Coordinator position is sometimes regarded as “a burnout job,” Sharon replied, “It can be difficult and complicated. I never thought I could do a job like this. It is by the Lord’s help that I do this. It is through God’s strength.”
Sharon also thanks God for the people He has sent to work with her. “The office is important. It is a team effort. It is a family. They are a blessing to be around. Everybody’s on board with the direction we are going. It’s all about the Care Pros, because we need to have enough of them to take care of our seniors. Van and Ann are fantastic bosses,” Sharon said.
Sharon has had memorable days – and late nights – in her position.
“One night at 11:50, when I was on-call, a client’s wife called requesting services – that she had canceled earlier – because her husband was actively passing, and she was scared. I took the call, and my heart was like … ‘What can I do?’ ” Sharon recalled. “I called his usual Care Pro, and she got out of bed and went to be with them without hesitation. The client passed away that night, and the Care Pro was crying when I talked with her that morning, but she thanked me for the experience. It was a hard thing to do, but she felt blessed.”
Sharon added: “In another instance, a Care Pro was on a 24/7 shift, and she called and was shaken because her client had passed. I stayed on the line with the Care Pro until I could get another Care Pro to go there and be with her. I was so proud of her, and I am to this day. For myself and this Care Pro, there was an extra-special connection – I had hired and trained her.”
Sharon speculated: “I am not sure how much longer I will continue in this role. This might be my last year.” She added, “If I made a change, I could see going part time. I am going to see what God has in mind. A lot of prayer is in my future. It has been a great ride.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (336) 789-4472 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
