We want to recognize and congratulate Aimee for being chosen the Caregiver of the month for February.
Our Caregiver of the month award is usually earned by employees who have served with the company for a year or more. This month we are departing from that pattern and we are doing it for a very specific reason and for a passionate caregiver. Following 16 years of dedicated service at Saskatoon Funeral Home, Aimee submitted an application to Home Instead on November 11th of 2021; on the 12th we had our first meeting by phone, by the 16th she interviewed and on the 17th she was hired. Orientation, on the 19th, was unforgettable, in part due to her classmates – but that’s a whole other story! By the 24th she was matched to one client who has become the soul focus of her care.
Caregivers come to Home Instead for specific purposes; Aimee’s application fulfilled a family’s urgent need as their primary caregiver suddenly had to step away from Home Instead duty due to an unforeseen accident and injury. There were big shoes to fill.
This was not an ordinary assignment for a new Caregiver; it involved 44 hours of work per week with an individual living with advanced Alzheimer’s disease residing in her daughter’s home. The need was to attend to her mother’s daily care while family members were off to school and work.
Caring for people living with advanced Alzheimer’s requires being a diplomat with side talents such as entertainer, strategist, and magician. Aimee entered this home at a time when the woman had just lost her ability to use the toilet independently and was terribly upset by that loss and the indignity of having to be helped in the bathroom. Aimee and the family were thrust into working together to accommodate this important daily need. Thank you, Aimee, for being a wonderful partner for them in this and so much more. The client’s daughter shared her appreciation for you in these words:
Aimee is wonderful. She is extremely dependable; she shows up early every morning and is extremely cheerful and happy. She interacts with all the family members (including the 4-legged ones) and gets a sense of where the whole house is at. She teases the teenagers and asks where mom is at.
Aimee isn’t afraid to try new things. She has been instrumental in figuring out which utensils/dishes mom eats best from. She tries new combos of meals and successfully made finger food popular for mom’s increased nutrition. She makes a variety of food and baking throughout the week focussing on mom’s likes and dislikes. Aimee spends time reading to mom and just being near her when there might be opportunities for her to wake.
Aimee has a fun banter back and forth with mom and they laugh a lot. Most of it nonsensical but she makes mom feel part of the convo. She sticks to mom’s routine but brings some fun spontaneity throughout the day. Aimee also works with home care so that moms personal care goes smoothly and remains consistent. Multiple home care workers have commented on how lovely she is.
Mom has been the most stable in the year in her time with Aimee and I believe she has had a large part to do with it. She sees each hurdle like a challenge and always overcomes. :)
Aimee, at age 12 you started working as a Candy Striper at the care home in Porcupine Plain. Life led you into the funeral home career where your service mentality was galvanized and your professionalism polished. We are so grateful that you have chosen to use your powers for good in the service of our Home Instead families. Congratulations on being named the Caregiver of the month. We look forward to seeing you continue to make it possible for families to achieve their dream of providing dignified care for their loved one at home. And we are excited to see you continue to grow as a care professional with Home Instead.
All client names have been changed for privacy.
