August CAREGiver of the Month

CAREGiver of the Month

Jennifer has been with Home Instead Senior Care since October 2012.  She is a wonderful caregiver and always finds ways to connect with her clients. When one of her clients was in the hospital she made sure that the husband, also a client, was able to see his wife. She took the husband on the bus so that the couple was able to be together for a short visit. Jennifer always goes above and beyond in her care towards her clients. We appreciate Jennifer for her dedication and all that she does!

Why did you decide to become a CAREGiver?

I didn't decide to become a caregiver, it just came to me naturally.  Being able to help people in need is satisfying.  Knowing that I can help them and give the best that they deserve makes me happy.  At the end of the day, I come home thinking that I was able to make their lives a little easier and worth living.

What is your most memorable moment(s) with your clients?

My memorable moment with my client is when my client gets agitated, frustrated or confused and I am able to redirect her agitations, frustrations or confusions into something meaningful to her or him.  It can either suggesting a game to play, a walk outside, or just a conversation.

What advice do you have for any new CAREGivers?

There is nothing more than giving your heart and your best to the client.  Even clients with advance Alzheimer’s could feel your genuine heart, so give it to them, they deserve it.

July CAREGiver of the Month

Kim is our CAREGiver of the month.

 

 

 

Kim has been with us since March 2011. She is a dedicated and compassionate caregiver.

 

Why did you decide to become a CAREGiver?  

Kim told us that she has always had a good relationship with seniors. Even before she came to Home Instead Senior Care she would be approached by seniors for help while doing her grocery shopping at Safeway. She also told us that she enjoys the company of seniors and very much likes listening to their stories. 

What is your most memorable moment(s) with your clients? 

She has had too many wonderful moments to mention but something had happened recently that she shared with us. One of her client's daughter told Kim that she decided to hire Kim to work additional hours with her mom as she wasn't going to Europe with the money she had saved in the bank. The daughter told her that Kim was her mom's Europe. How sweet! 

What advice do you have for any new CAREGivers?   

Kim said that CAREGivers should have patience, love, understanding and give lots of hugs.

 

Thank you, Kim

for all of your dedication and hard work you have to Home Instead Senior Care and your clients.

 

June CAREGiver of the Month

June CAREGiver of the Month

 

Alan is currently our CAREGiver of the month for June. He is a valuable asset to our team and we appreciate all that Alan does.

I feel really privileged to be acknowledged in this way.  Thank You.

Why did you decide to become a CAREGiver?

 

 

I didn't feel I had it in me to become a Care Giver.  Had Alanna not phoned me to ask if I could take on clients, I probably wouldn't have given it a chance. I really miss my father since he passed away and I don't get to visit my mom as often as I would like to, so I decided to become a Care Giver so I would have contact with the elderly.

  

What is your most memorable moment(s) with your clients?

There are so many memorable moments; it would take far too long to list them all but what's most outstanding is walking up to a client and they smile and say "It's so nice to see you".  They may not remember my name, but after a while of consistent visits, they recognize me.  My dad often didn't recognize who I was.

What advice do you have for any new CAREGivers? 

My advice; enter each visit being in a positive frame of mind, smile, show the client you are happy to be spending time with them, be patient and ask them a lot of questions about their past.

 

April CAREGiver of the Month: Jay

Jay is currently one of our CAREGiver's participating in Home Instead’s unique Alzheimer’s and dementia training program that was developed as part of its CARE: Changing Aging through Research and Education program.

She is a valuable asset to our team and we appreciate all her hard work.

Why did you decide to become a CAREGiver?

I decided some 30 years ago that I would be a caregiver so I became a nurse. Nurses work together as team players with other professionals to achieve the best outcome for their patients. As a caregiver with Home Instead I still get a chance to be part of professional team who works together in the assessing, planning, implementation, and evaluation process with Alzheimer’s clients. As caregivers we are the one’s who most often get closest to the clients so we get a chance to put a plan into action and help it work.

What advice do you have for any new CAREGivers?

Take your time, never try to convince or change someone with Alzheimer’s mind it only leads to frustration for both of you. Patience and kindness are virtues with caregivers. I am so afraid that my clients will fall or trip when I take them out so I tend to be overly cautious on ice and snow especially in crosswalks and parking lots, Remember there is something to learn with every client. Pay it forward, we might be in the same situation and need someone to care for us one day.

Salute to Senior Service

Voting for Salute to Senior Service begins today! Salute an outstanding senior volunteer!

 

Starting today, April 15, you're able to vote for which nominee deserves to become a Province Winner. Province Winners will receive a $500 donation for their favourite non-profit volunteer organization.

Last year Winnipeg’s very own 78-year old Lesley Iredale was selected as national winner of this award, for her years of dedicated volunteer services to a number of organizations in the community. In her honour, Home Instead, Inc. made a $5,000 gift to a charity of her choice, the Guild of the Victoria General Hospital.

For more information and to vote visit: www.salutetoseniorservice.ca