CAREGiver of the Month

When Kaosarat arrived in Canada on Aug. 13, 2023, the native of Nigeria had a single focus. “My motive, when I left my home country and came to Canada, was to do my best at my job because coming here was a great opportunity for me. When I applied to be a Home Instead^® CAREGiver, I knew it was one of the best care companies,” said Kaosarat, known by her clients at Home Instead of Richmond-Vaughan as “Ola” because her nickname is easier to remember.    

“In my homeland of Nigeria, I worked as an apprentice nurse. I am passionate about my job. Whatever I do, I do it to my fullest and never hold back an ounce of effort. I am good at what I do, but I also keep trying to get even better,” said Kaosarat, who joined Home Instead in March. She was honoured as her franchise’s CAREGiver of the Month three months later. Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Jennifer Joseph made the announcement on behalf of the award-winning franchise owned by Brenda Enright and Greg Bechard.

In Nigeria, Kaosarat gained senior-care experience while she served as a family caregiver for her 96-year-old grandmother. “I realized that, when I got to Canada and began my training, my grandmother most likely had dementia. I had not seen many cases of diagnosed dementia in my homeland. I had lived with my grandmother part of the time while I was growing up. When I went back to take care of her, it was fun to be reunited but working with her dementia symptoms was an adjustment,” Kaosarat explained.

Sadly, Kaosarat’s grandmother became depressed after Kaosarat left for Canada and did not bond greatly with the family caregiver who took over for Kaosarat. “My grandmother passed away after I left for Nigeria,” Kaosarat said softly.

“When I arrived in Canada, I went to live with family members in Quebec and earned my Personal Support Worker certification there. I also had an internship before I moved to Ontario in January. A friend helped me when I applied for my Home Instead position. She sent my résumé to Jennifer Joseph, and she responded quickly and hired me. My friend is ‘an adéọlá,’ which is a Nigerian word that means ‘the crown brings honor.’ In other words, she is special.”

After Kaosarat joined Home Instead, she experienced an inauspicious start with a client whom she continues to serve. “When I first went to help her, she told me she didn’t know who I was, so I had to call the office to help get me in the door,” Kaosarat recalled.

“Once we got to know each other, things have gone well. She apologizes for the first time we met and says: ‘I am so sorry I treated you that way.’ She also says, ‘Ola, I’m always yours. I have a good time with you.’ She smiles, which is how I know I’m doing a good job. Her daughter is nice and also likes me. I help my client each time with her exercises. She wants me to do them with her. It is a form of encouragement, but she really does want to do them. I have had other clients. I feel good about my job. I am having fun. They know I am loyal to them.”

Mandeep’s mother loves to recall a touching event when Mandeep was 5 years old. The entire family could clearly see Mandeep’s compassionate heart as she tried fervently to take care of her grandmother. Mandeep’s journey in life seemed to be predestined. It was a path that led to a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and eight years of successful work as a registered nurse in her native India. Most recently, Mandeep was honoured as a CAREGiver at Home Instead^® of Richmond Hill-Vaughan. 

Actually, Mandeep said her earliest memorable venture into family caregiving was a time when her mother became seriously ill while Mandeep was still in school. “During that time, I not only ensured that my mother took her medication on time and assisted her with light exercises, but I also handled the responsibilities of cooking meals, supporting my siblings and managing the household while also tending to my studies,” Mandeep said. “I believe my innate passion for caring for others has led me to pursue a career in health care. And now, with the support of Home Instead, I have the opportunity to extend that care to seniors who are in need.”

Mandeep noted that many people become family caregivers because they love their elderly parents or grandparents and feel obligated to help them. She said, “It’s a profoundly rewarding yet challenging responsibility that demands patience, empathy and resilience. My family often refers to me as a natural caregiver.”

Mandeep’s professional background predominantly revolves around caregiving and health care. As a nurse in India, Mandeep delivered essential medical care to individuals in various settings. “During that time,” Mandeep said, “I provided nursing care while gaining valuable experience and honing a comprehensive skill set that includes medical expertise, interpersonal communication and a profound commitment to ensuring the well-being of those under my care. My nursing experience has equipped me with the tools necessary to provide compassionate care as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) to Home Instead clients who have diverse needs.”

Mandeep arrived in Canada as an international student with a nursing background. She sought opportunities that aligned with her professional expertise. She explained: “Exploring various avenues to leverage my skills, I came across Home Instead on Indeed.com. I was attracted to Home Instead’s dedication to delivering quality care and supporting its clients. Those qualities deeply resonated with my own values and aspirations. Therefore, I pursued the opportunity to join Home Instead, seeing it as a platform where I could continue to make meaningful contributions to the well-being of others while advancing my career goals.”

Mandeep began her PSW career with Home Instead in September 2022, after she moved to Canada. Mandeep worked as a part-time PSW for eight months while she was studying. After that, Mandeep took a break from work for a few months to focus on her studies. “During that period,” Mandeep said, “I heard a lot of praise about Home Instead from others, including other girls who were my classmates and were working with Home Instead. Now, after finishing my studies, I have rejoined Home Instead and have been working with them as a full-time PSW since January of this year.”

Six months later, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Jennifer Joseph announced Mandeep had been honoured as Richmond Hill-Vaughan’s CAREGiver of the Month. Jennifer said, “Mandeep has displayed Home Instead’s guiding principles of ‘Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.’ ”

Mandeep said: “CAREGivers find immense satisfaction in positively impacting our clients’ lives. We cherish building meaningful relationships as well as offering companionship, assistance and support with our clients’ daily activities. Additionally, we appreciate Home Instead’s flexibility, allowing us to tailor care to each client’s unique needs. We also find fulfillment in the gratitude we receive from clients and families. Knowing we’ve made a difference, whether through a simple act of kindness or significant support, is rewarding. Bringing comfort, joy and dignity to those for whom we care is cited as one of the most rewarding aspects of being a Home Instead CAREGiver.”

Mandeep has several heartwarming client stories, and she shared the most recent one: “My client’s husband had a previous Home Instead account, which he never closed because he was so pleased with the services. So, when he needed support for his wife recently, he didn’t hesitate to call Home Instead again. When he expressed his satisfaction and praised the impressive services, I felt proud to be an employee of such an amazing company that tirelessly helps people.”

Home Instead^® CAREGiver of the Month Charlotte entered her first day with a dementia client with a bit of nervousness. “How would it go?” “Would he like me? “Would he remember me?” Charlotte admitted to all of those feelings, saying: “He had severe dementia, so I was worried how I would handle the situation.”

But Charlotte also said: “I went there with a neutral mind. When I arrived, the family was very helpful and very welcoming. When I started assisting the client, I found it easy to work with him. From our very first moment together, I gave him respect and freedom.”

 Of course, there were challenges, just as there are with nearly every client.

“When we did some things, such as changing his clothes, it’d take us nearly an hour. Then he’d forget he had changed his clothes and would remove them, thinking they were dirty. I was softly reminding him often that he had changed his clothes. We started working on techniques for changing his clothes so we wouldn’t take a lot of time doing it,” Charlotte said. “For a week, things were better and smoothly done.”

Then came a most memorable day. “When my shift was done and I said my goodbyes to him, he told me, ‘No, don’t go home. Stay here with me,’ ” Charlotte recalled.

She added: “My client’s words gave me a sense of appreciation that it was a job well done. At that moment, it felt so good. That also gave me a boost of additional motivation to awake in the morning and energetically go to someone who needs care and companionship. There are a lot of Home Instead client stories, but this is the story that touched my heart most.”

Helping vulnerable adults is nothing new for Charlotte. “Before coming to Canada,” she said, “I had experiences that were like being a professional caregiver because I was preparing in my home country of Rwanda to be a nurse. I was working as an unlicensed nurse with supervision, and about half of that work was providing caregiving. I wasn’t registered yet and was waiting to take my nursing exam, but then it happened that I got an opportunity to come to Canada.”

Family caregiving also is a strong part of Charlotte’s résumé. “My family caregiving experience consists of helping my parents, especially my father,” Charlotte explained. “When I graduated and was living with parents, my dad had diabetes. As a result, I was the one who did everything he needed, from his medication to his nutrition. I learned everything that was needed for him to improve his health. Since he was capable man, I didn’t have to do much once I got him into a self-care routine. But the little things I had to do, I did them steadfastly and consistently.”

Charlotte, who has been with Home Instead of Richmond Hill-Vaughan for three months, found Home Instead through her Ontario-area school, Evergreen College. Charlotte described the process: “Home Instead sent a flyer to the college, which advertised that they needed CAREGivers and noted that they possessed a Labour Market Impact Assessment document (LMIA). That is a required document so Home Instead can hire foreign workers.”

During that time, Charlotte was seeking a work permit on her own because she was attending a private college. “For that fact, I wouldn’t have gotten a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), so when my school posted that Home Instead flyer, I immediately applied. I didn’t get a CAREGiver position at first, but I called again, and the process went smoothly,” she explained.

“Thank God I was able to get the opportunity to have another chance to work in the Canadian workforce. It was not an easy journey to join Home Instead. I felt at first I had no hope that I would be taken. But here I am, employed as a Home Instead CAREGiver.”

In her short time with Home Instead, Charlotte noted she likes the experience while also learning the different ways to enjoy the work. “Sometimes it’s not easy,” Charlotte said, “but a little push helps, and having a positive mind has always been beneficial for me. Another big lift comes from praying before I meet my clients. Praying has given me an energy to keep moving.”

Whether the charming word is said in English or Italian (bella), “beautiful” is a beautiful word to Mandeep, who was honoured as CAREGiver of the Month by Home Instead^® of Richmond Hill-Vaughan just eight months after joining the award-winning franchise in August 2023.

Mandeep explained: “A month ago, I worked with an Italian gentleman who was 94 years old. I really liked working with him because he was like my grandfather. He always forgot my name, and then he used the Italian word ‘Bella’ for me. He used to tell me about Italian culture, and he always worked so well with me so that I could provide the best possible care for him.”

Mandeep added: “I really like to spend time with seniors. As they have treasures of knowledge, I have a caring nature, so it is a good combination. I want to serve society, therefore I don’t think there is any better option than to work with seniors. Also it is a great way to explore the culture, norms and values of people who are different from the ones of which I grew up.”

Mandeep is perfect for her Home Instead position. She has served as a family caregiver and is a highly skilled CAREGiver who has multiple levels of education. Mandeep earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Punjab, India. After that, she worked in an Operation Theatre as a staff nurse in a highly regarded hospital. Mandeep continued her education after arriving in Canada. She earned college credits at Seneca Polytechnic in nursing management, alternative and complimentary medicine and medical systems.

As a family caregiver, Mandeep vividly remembers a period of time five years ago when her mother underwent surgery. “But because of some mishappening, my mother needed one more surgery. There were two months between those surgeries. During that time, I took care of my mother,” Mandeep explained.

After arriving in Canada, Mandeep found Home Instead in an online search, tapping into Indeed.com. Mandeep immediately recognized Home Instead’s flexibility and adaptability with scheduling and assignment locations. “I don’t have car, so I usually use the public bus transportation system. I am thankful for Home Instead’s staff members as they usually prefer to work with me on shifts where it is convenient to go via bus,” Mandeep said.

Home Instead Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Jennifer Joseph said: “In addition to her strong companionship skills, Mandeep provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders and light housekeeping. Mandeep offers personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, dementia support, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, she not only assists her clients, but helps her clients’ families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.

Mandeep loves being a part of the CAREGiver team at Richmond Hill-Vaughan franchise, a member of a network comprised of Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and CAREGivers. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 CAREGivers across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide.

For a Home Instead CAREGiver, it’s an extraordinary day when a client refers to you as “family.” So it was for Erlinda, the March CAREGiver of the Month at Home Instead^® of Richmond Hill-Vaughan. The Spanish client not only praised Erlinda’s work, but she took her compliments to the highest level when the client told Erlinda, “I view you as a family member.”

Erlinda recalled: “While I always took a professional approach to the client’s care, her kindness and liveliness brought a sense of comfort, as if I were at my own home setting with family. We both were able to create a therapeutic relationship and spend quality time together because of the environment where she was situated. Without Home Instead assigning me to help this unique lady, I would not have otherwise encountered this wonderful person.”

Erlinda does not take the word “family” lightly. As the youngest child in her family, Erlinda savored the family caregiver role for her parents. She explained: “I was fond of my parents and took care of them as often as I could. Since they had cared for me, I wanted to repay their kindness and love. They showed me that bringing support and genuine quality care induces healing in health and wellness in one’s self and others. Even though I’m unable to care for them anymore, I feel fulfilled when I give other seniors the care they deserve.”

Erlinda added: “This lesson I took from my parents prompted me to feel fond of caring for my own family and extending it to others.” While Erlinda doesn’t keep an account of everything she does for others, people have told Erlinda that she’s sometimes “too concerned” about others’ well-being. With a smile, Erlinda said: “I think that’s a good thing!”

Erlinda joined Home Instead in December 2021 after learning about the franchise from the staff at a retirement-home facility. “I inquired with Home Instead regarding the process in which they work, and I became interested in the concept of being assigned to clients at varying locations. It seemed to be a way to gain new experiences. When I started working for Home Instead, I was assigned to locations such as hospitals, residential homes, retirement homes and other places where our clients reside,” Erlinda said.

“In a stroke of serendipity, I have fulfilled my dream of working alongside healthcare professionals. I was also fortunate enough to be assigned to a familiar retirement-home facility, which made it a convenience. I’ve gained numerous experiences I never thought would happen, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it all.”

Erlinda always had wanted to care for people and work in the healthcare sector, including nursing. She noted she had stepped into professional caregiving later in life. Her first step into the field involved child care and then adult care. Erlinda pointed out: “That allowed me to gain valuable experience with handling different age groups as I pursued my certification as a Personal Support Worker. I have taken on various responsibilities, and it can be very strenuous. But I still gain satisfaction knowing I’ve helped, supported and contributed to the betterment of all of my clients’ quality of life. Once I held my license as PSW, I acclimated myself to this kind of career naturally because I already had a jump-start in caring for people.”

As a Home Instead CAREGiver and licensed PSW, Erlinda said it’s challenging to tackle different environments and situations. But, using her previous experiences, wisdom and good judgment, Erlinda discerns the various nuances at each location and with every client. She reacts accordingly. “Each situation has helped me gain new insights and further bolstered my ability to provide care,” Erlinda observed.

She added: “I have achieved my dream of being a senior-care worker and seeing the numerous healthcare environments in action. I also found Home Instead to be a terrific workplace. Their staff and services are delightful. I am sure that students – whether they are PSWs, student nurses or others aspiring to be professionals – are able to expand their skills and gain more exposure to the healthcare setting by working for Home Instead.”  

CAREGiver of the Month Jasmine’s winding journey to Home
Instead® of Richmond Hill made a critical and meaningful stop at her grandparents’ home several years ago. “The experience of being a family caregiver for my grandparents left a lasting impact on me. It reinforced the significance of empathy in caregiving and instilled in me a profound appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit,” Jasmine explained. Jasmine’s grandfather had Alzheimer’s disease for two years with a history of diabetes for 38 years. Her grandmother had a brain tumor for three years and had two brain surgeries with a history of hypertension and thyroid challenges.

Jasmine was equipped to help them because she was working hard to earn her three-year, six-month General Nursing and Midwifery coursework diploma (GNM), which she ultimately achieved in May 2023 in her native homeland of India. “Being in the healthcare field, I was closely caring for my grandparents. I witnessed the gradual progression of those illnesses. It was emotionally taxing, yet the experience deepened my understanding of the importance of compassionate and dedicated caregiving,” Jasmine said. “I learned to be patient, adaptable and attentive to their unique needs as their conditions evolved. It was heartwarming to engage in activities that brought them joy and a sense of familiarity despite the cognitive challenges they faced.” Jasmine further pointed out: “Home Instead has created a culture that inspires excellence, and I am excited about the continued growth and impact we can make together as a team. Working here isn’t just a job. It’s a fulfilling journey where I get to positively influence the lives of those we serve, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a valuable member of the Home Instead family.

It’s clear that Nelson has made an impact with his new family, which includes his precious client. Jennifer said, “Nelson displays Home Instead’s guiding principles of ‘Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.’ ” In addition to his strong companionship skills, Nelson provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Nelson and other Richmond Hill-Vaughan CAREGivers offer personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing,dementia support, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, the CAREGivers not only assist their clients, but help their clients’ families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.

“Caregiving has been a profession for which I have always had passion. I have worked in so many homes in the past, especially in my home country. To me, this is remarkable, fulfilling work,” Nelson said. “Presently, I take care of a female client. To me, I will say she is one of my most cherished clients I have ever come across. Not only is my client welcoming her family, especially her son, has been so wonderful. ”Nelson added: “I have loads of great stories about my Home Instead client. I don’t know which story to tell, so all I’d like to say emphatically in a short and sweet statement is that I have the best client in the world. What I love most about my job is that Home Instead has great clients and also has a good breakdown of job specifications. The Home Instead office staff members are always available and at hand to resolve any issues I have.

Who knew that the hobby of knitting would be the key to
winning over a sometimes-challenging client? For Home
Instead® CAREGiver of the Month Shameem, it is one of her
favourite client stories, one that began during her second
week with Home Instead of Richmond Hill-Vaughan last
September. Shameem’s first meeting with the client included another CAREGiver who was familiar with the mercurial client. The work shift consisted of the usual procedure of what needed to be done, the timing of the protocol and other care details. Shameem recalled: “My co-worker took me aside and advised me not to take the client’s bad moods to heart. It turns out the client likes things to be done in very particular way, and if they are not done how she likes it, she will be upset.” During Shameem’s second visit, she was on her own with the client. Shameem did her duties as assigned. The client made little to no conversation and kept to herself, the atmosphere had a chilly feeling. Then it happened: Shameem spotted knitting yarns, needles and some small pieces the client had worked on but were incomplete. “I asked my client if she enjoyed knitting. She told me she used to knit and crochet really well, but due to her arthritis, she finds it uncomfortable and is unable to complete the projects. I also enjoy the same hobby and came from a family where our grandmothers taught us from our younger ages how to do various needle work,” Shameem recalled. “I explained how my grandmothers used wooden needles and a specific type of yarn to help them as the dexterity of their hands declined. I thought those tips might help her while keeping her knitting projects short. I taught her the various hand and finger exercises she could use to avoid the discomfort. The next time I saw her, she had taken my advice and was happily knitting again.” 

Home Instead Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Jennifer Joseph said: “When Shameem began with us at Home Instead, she hit the ground running. Shameem takes every single shift without complaint, is always reliable and will move her personal schedule around to work a shift. Our service coordinator said Shameem is not picky and drives a very far distance to help clients. She is very selfless, ”Shameem said: “I am honoured to be the employee of the month with Home Instead. I enjoy my work and take pride in it because it not only provides an income, but this job affords me the opportunity to give back to my community while helping others.”

When CAREGiver of the Month Eunice arrived at a client’s
house, she quickly glanced around, knew immediately how
she could help the senior and wasted no time to get to work.
“I found that the house badly needed a housekeeping effort,
included a thorough cleaning.The client also was very hungry. I first prepared a meal and served it, then cleaned the house, engaged the client in a conversation and gave emotional support. After I did all of that, the client was happy and really satisfied. I was happy to put a smile on the client’s face,” Eunice said.

Eunice’s ability to immediately evaluate a client’s needs, prioritize the responsibilities and carry out the tasks in a loving, compassionate way was one of the reasons Eunice was chosen as CAREGiver of the Month. Jennifer said: “Eunice embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of ‘Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.’”It didn’t take long for Jennifer and her fellow managers at Home Instead of Richmond Hill-Vaughan to take notice of Eunice’s skills and empathetic ways. Eunice joined the award-winning franchise two months ago after being introduced to Home Instead by a friend. “I knew this job would be a good fit for me because I love to provide care and support to seniors.

As a CAREGiver, I always assist clients to do the tasks they cannot do or have trouble doing alone,” Eunice said. More than providing assistance as a senior-care professional, Eunice has served as a family caregiver. “As a grandparent’s caregiver,” Eunice explained, “I have assisted in preparing meals, grooming and dressing. I have provided emotional support and companionship, meals, light housekeeping, medication reminders and errands and transportation to doctors’ appointments.” “What I like most about working for Home Instead are actually two things: One, the support I received from the Home Instead staff. Two, my opportunities to provide support for my clients and putting smiles on their faces,” Eunice said.

 

                                 A Sweet Melody: Adeola’s Voice Creates Bond With Client
Adeola’s relationship with a Home Instead® client has been harmonious in more ways than one. Adeola explained: “My client loves to hear me singing to her because I told her I’m a chorister, so we literally sing all day. We spend hours singing, talking, laughing and creating sweet memories. It is heartwarming to see her face light up with joy as we sing together.” Adeola’s client also has a passion for drawing and would always show off her beautiful portrait books that she drew for all of her family members. “She even said she would draw me too,” said Adeola, who was selected as the October CAREGiver of the Month less than a month after joining Home Instead of Richmond Hill-Vaughan on Sept. 14.“I found Home Instead on Indeed.com, and I applied with faith and already knew God would grant me a job for which I have great passions. I’ve been working as a professional caregiver for several years, providing support and care to those who need it. It’s a job that brings me so much joy and fulfillment. I know I can make a positive impact in people’s lives. I’m really passionate about what I do, and I feel lucky to have this opportunity to work with Home Instead.”

“Taking care of family or older relatives is a deeply meaningful responsibility I love. It involves providing support, assistance and companionship to ensure their well-being. It’s a privilege for me to be there for them in their golden years and creating cherished memories together,” she said.Adeola said: “As a Home Instead CAREGiver, I find the most fulfilling aspect of my job is being able to make a positive impact in the lives of the individuals for whom I care. It’s incredibly rewarding to help them maintain their independence and quality of life.

Elizabeth, who has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse in long-term care homes in her native homeland, was ready for her first Home Instead assignment. It was one that required an accomplished senior-care professional. Elizabeth’s client has mid-stage dementia and a medical challenge that requires constant observation. To add to Elizabeth’s initial hurdles, the client questioned Elizabeth about the presence in her home at first and sometimes asked her to leave. But Elizabeth’s compassionate, patient ways won over her client fairly soon. “One day after she asked, I told her, ‘My name is Elizabeth,’ and she said, ‘That’s a nice name.’ Not more than 10 minutes later, I got the same question that was repeated during the same intervals that day. You have to understand she wasn’t trying to irritate anyone. That’s just the way dementia often works. I reminded the client to use her walker, too, because we don’t want any falls. Her medical challenge is a special one to keep an eye on. Her safety obviously comes first, then I feel it’s important to keep her company and give her the human touch that is so important to seniors. Meal preparation and medication reminders also are in the caregiving mix,” Elizabeth explained.
Elizabeth said she likes Home Instead and is eager to tackle a heavier load. “I am used to those 8- and 12-hour shifts,” she said, “so I know I could accommodate those hours.” Elizabeth also looks forward to the day when she can get on the road to
reaching RN certification in her new country. “There are a lot of things to sort out with that journey,” she said. Elizabeth is an important part of the CAREGiver team for the Ontario franchise, a member of a network comprised of Home
Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. With the world’s
largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and CAREGivers. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 CAREGivers across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide

After Amal was selected for the third time as CAREGiver of the Month at Home Instead® of Richmond Hill-Vaughan, Ontario, she was stumped when she was asked what made her August honour different from the ones she had received in May 2021 and March 2023. There is always the commonality of the basics, including the all-important cornerstones of bonding and trust. “Without relationship-building, everything else gets more difficult or might be impossible to accomplish. Think about it: companionship, personal care, meal preparations, medication reminders, light housekeeping and transportation and errands are so much easier to achieve with someone who believes you have their best interests in mind,” said Amal, who joined Home Instead seven years ago.

The more things that a CAREGiver and a client can do together, the better the caregiving situation goes.“I know this sounds repetitive, but I enjoy being with all of my clients as I experience different things with them. If capable, some clients and I go on walks. There are card games, puzzles and painting if dementia and eyesight limitations are not overwhelming factors. Conversations, viewpoints, opinions, books and favourite stories.… I always seem to learn something new from most clients. Some clients treat me like their own family members. That’s what I really enjoy the most, the closeness with my clients.” Most of Amal’s friends, co-workers and acquaintances know that Amal grew up close to her parents and grandparents. Since 2020, she has been taking care of her mother, who lives with Amal. Assisting her mother is a source of fulfillment for Amal. "I love being there for her,” Amal said. “It’s not hard to feel the parallels with my job. I regard my clients as family, and I always want them to feel the same way about me.” Among criteria for achieving CAREGiver of the Month status, an employee has shown she has gone above and beyond the call of duty, Home Instead Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Joseph said. Amal embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”

Jennifer also said Amal works closely with her Home
Instead staff members to fulfill the franchise’s three
promises concerning its CAREGivers:
•“Do what we say we’re going to do – each and every
time.”
•“Solve care problems using compassionate, person-centered solutions.”
•“Engage in thoughtful relationships with the families
we serve.”
Amal is an integral member of the CAREGiver team for
the Ontario franchise, a member of a network comprised of Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and CAREGivers.

Honour Comes Quickly for Guila, an Instant Hit With Clients

The “hows” and “whys” were answered with news that the
daughter of a 91-year-old dementia client quickly became
reliant on Guila, who has been called in to assist the client
on extra days and increased hours. The client and her
daughter share a home. If the client doesn’t remember Guila’s name, she always recognizes her CAREGiver by the
sight of her smiling face and the sound of her compassionate, soothing voice. The client is a challenge for several reasons. For one, she is “good on her feet” despite using a walker … or least she’s supposed to be using a walker. “She tries to walk without a walker sometimes, and I gently remind her that she needs to use that walker,” said Guila, who spends a great deal of time just making sure her client is safe. “She makes casual conversation. She recalls stories from earlier times in her life– there is some repetition – but my client also is interested in me and wants to hear about my life.

It’s easy to see that Guila already is a valuable part of each
client’s life, not to mention their family members. Guila, as
well as her clients and their families, are glad Home
Instead gave her the opportunity in professional senior
care.“The only previous experience I had with situations
that were even somewhat similar were the 2,000 placement hours with George Brown College in my developmental disabilities’ studies. I had no experience with dementia behaviours,” said Guila, who found Home Instead online. Asked about family caregiving, Guila said: “I didn’t get a chance to help my parents. Both passed from cancer. I did help my younger sister with my grandfather’s care. He had high blood pressure and was a fall risk. We wanted our grandfather to have the best quality of life possible while remaining in his home.

Masoomeh embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.” In addition to her other CAREGiver skills, Masoomeh
provides safety assurance, personal assistance with
eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care,
cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By
expertly doing so, Masoomeh and her fellow CAREGivers
not only assist their clients, but help their families
eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal
freedom.
Masoomeh loves being a part of the CAREGiver team at
Richmond Hill-Vaughan franchise, a member of a
network comprised of Home Instead, Inc. and its parent
company, Honor. With the world’s largest home-care
network and the most advanced care platform, Honor
and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older
adults, their families and CAREGivers. Combined, the
network has more than 100,000 CAREGivers across 13
countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of
older adults and their families worldwide.

Fulfillment Soon Replaced Job Jitters for CAREGiver Abigael

A career caring for others has been a dream of Abigael's for as long as she can remember. You could say it's in her blood. After all, many in her family have jobs in the healthcare field. That doesn't mean that Abigael didn't experience a few first-day job jitters when she joined the Richmond Hill-Vaughan franchise as a CAREGiver on Feb. 18, 2023.

“I was a bit hesitant to apply since I don't have a lot of background in home healthcare, but I decided to give it a try . . . I can clearly remember the time when I got my first confirmed shift with Home Instead®.  I felt several emotions such as excitement because it was a new experience for me, reluctance because I didn't really know what to expect, and worry for fear I wouldn't give the best possible care to my client.”

Turns out, her worries were unfounded. Just a few months into the job, Abigael reflected: “I did not expect that I would become so invested and fulfilled in this job, and I can definitely see myself doing this profession for a long time.” She's also been honoured as CAREGiver of the Month at the franchise owned by Brenda Enright and Greg Bechard for the important impact she is making in the lives of older adults.

“The moment I decided to go into the Canadian nursing field, I knew that being a Personal Support Worker (PSW) would be the best training ground for me. I started to ask around and an acquaintance mentioned Home Instead. The company name immediately caught my attention,” she said. “I then started to do research about Home Instead and read very positive feedback about the company.”

Caregiving seemed to be a logical career path. “Since childhood I've been a sociable person who greatly values my relationships with both youths and adults. During my teenage years, my grandfather lived with us for a few years before he passed away. At that time, I was not fully aware of his condition and didn't know how to take care of him properly. Luckily, most of my relatives are nurses. I saw how they took care of my grandfather. I made them my role models and followed their ways. I think that's what motivated me to become a nurse,” she added.

 “As soon as I earned my nursing license in The Philippines, I started working in a tertiary hospital for two years and was assigned to a medical ward that usually caters to adult patients. I then decided to work outside the country and fortunately got hired in Kuwait and assigned as a dental assistant. Then came another opportunity for me and my family to immigrate to Canada. Currently, I am studying for a Healthcare Leadership post-graduate diploma, and at the same time working several hours a week for Home Instead.”
It didn't take Abigael long to realize the difference companionship care can make for an older adult. “I was unavoidably late for a shift one day with a client. When I arrived, she said she'd not yet eaten her lunch because she was waiting for me. I was so apologetic, but she explained that waiting for me was her choice because she had become so accustomed to having lunch together. The experience made me realize that this client not only considers me her Personal Support Worker but an important part of her daily routine. I realized that these experiences make a difference in the lives of others while also impacting our own lives. Working as a Personal Support Worker can give you a completely fresh perspective, helping you to appreciate your own independence while being grateful for what you have,” she added.

Amal Has a Passion for Senior Care

Senior care is in Amal's heart.

That's how Amal described her primary reason for becoming a CAREGiver for Home Instead® of Richmond Hill-Vaughan seven years ago. “I was applying for jobs on Indeed.com, and I found Home Instead, which interested me because I enjoy helping the elderly,” Amal said. “This is just a passion that came from inside me that I wanted to pursue.”

Amal grew up with “very close relationships” with her parents and grandparents. “My mother recently moved in with me, and I love being there for her when she needs me. It makes me happy to know I am helping her when I can,” Amal said.

She regards her Home Instead clients as family members, too, which is a key to successful and fulfilling caregiving. For Amal, touching lives impacts her soul, whether she is providing physical help such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders or personal care or if she is offering emotional support in a companionship role.

Among criteria for achieving CAREGiver of the Month status, an employee has shown she has gone above and beyond the call of duty, Home Instead Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Joseph said. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Amal embodies Home Instead's guiding principles of  “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”

Amal said: “I enjoy being with all my clients as I get to experience different things with them. For example, some clients and I go on walks. Some clients and I play cards or work on puzzles together. We also enjoy having conversations, going shopping and painting. My clients have introduced me to many new things, and I feel as though they're my family. This is a mutual feeling between the clients and me as they treat me like their own. That's what I really enjoy the most, the closeness with my clients.”

She added: “My clients share stories about their past, such as their careers and things they used to collect. I also hear about books they used to write or read, as well as their life experiences. Those are my favourite stories I will remember.”

For Wuraola, life has been a fulfilling adventure as a Home Instead® CAREGiver since February 2022, when she joined the award-winning franchise that serves Richmond Hill and Vaughan.

“With my Home Instead clients, there already have been a lot of warm stories and memories for me, and having my clients and their families be a major part of it is the most important element. I have worked with clients from different cultural backgrounds who have shown me love and respect. We have learned a lot from each other, and I think that in itself is the perfect story to tell in a general sense. We share with each other and become a team that values and respects each other,” said Wuraola, who was a successful registered nurse in Nigeria before moving to Canada and finding Home Instead on Indeed.com.

Wuraola talked about her journey as a registered nurse in Nigeria and her arrival in Ontario: “I earned a Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) in my home country after studying for five years. I had clinical postings in various hospital settings, and I also worked in a government hospital for a year, where I was involved with the care of multiple patients with different disease conditions. As an international student searching for a part-time job in Canada, I applied for the role of a Personal Support Worker (PSW). The Home Instead manager at that time, Claudia, was amiable and welcoming. She offered me a job and encouraged me before my first shift. It went smoothly, and it has been since then.”

Wuraola has done so well that Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Jennifer announced Wuraola was honoured as the CAREGiver of the Month for February 2023 for the Richmond Hill and Vaughan franchise, which is co-owned by Brenda Enright and Greg Bechard. Among the considerations for achieving the award, an employee has shown he or she has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the award, as well as possessing the skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Wuraola embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”

Wuraola pointed out that most of her shifts are scheduled in a privatecare facility. “As I noted, the clients are from different ethnicities and cultures than from where I grew up and served as a registered nurse. It has been amazing as I try to learn some of the essential words to facilitate communication with my clients. That was a bit of a barrier at first, and learning about their values and culture had been a great experience.”

Wuraola added: “What I love most about my job is helping and caring for the seniors, and holding conversations with them. The companionship makes them happy, and having someone who listens and reacts to their conversations makes them feel comfortable. I love when they are happy.”

Sytrose has been with the company since October 2022, and in the short amount of time he’s been here, he has gone above and beyond our expectations. Congratulations to Sytrose for being Caregiver of the month! For those of you who don’t know, Sytrose is one of our dedicated caregivers, and we trust that our clients are always in good hands. To all those who embody the Home Instead message of building trust, taking the lead, and sharing your heart, Sytrose is adaptable, humble, selfless, and courageous. Sytrose always picks up last-minute shifts and in different cities, such as Mississauga and Stouffville, regardless of distance. He assures his clients that they receive safety assurance, medication reminders, and personal care. As a result, the clients and their families feel that they can trust that their loved one is in a peaceful, content, and worry-free environment.

We just wanted to say thank you to Mandeep for helping to foster a great teamwork environment through your selfless sharing of your knowledge and active participation in the community. Your expertise, wisdom, and wonderful personality help us daily to achieve excellence. You are therefore this month's Employee of the Month!

Nidhi has been with Home Instead for over 6 months and in that time has demonstrated that she is a reliable, dedicated and skillful CAREGiver.

Nidhi builds trust by making her clients a priority. She strives to successfully meet their needs and commits to exceeding their expectations. She places the health and welfare of others ahead of herself. She consistently keeps her scheduled shifts, shows up on time and gives her all.

Nidhi takes the lead by being open to learning about her clients’ needs and executing care as needed. She supports her fellow CAREGivers in their shared responsibilities supporting multiple clients. She communicates with the office when there are any concerns.

Nidhi shares her heart by showing care and compassion for her clients. Nidhi adapts well, is humble, courageous, selfless and kind. She wants to build relationships with her clients and makes every effort to show that. To her, this is more than a job, it’s personal!

Both physically and emotionally, the Home Instead® client has experienced a miracle rebound that has been attributed in large part to her CAREGiver’s empathetic assistance. Pallavi is a humble person who does not take credit for her client’s astounding rebound, but Pallavi does feel she has been rewarded by her client’s improvement as she closely monitors and helps her client. Some say Pallavi is her client’s biggest cheerleader.

“My favourite Home Instead story is linked to my recent client with whom I am working now. The best part of this story is when I remember my client from the beginning of her struggle and compare that distant memory to what I see now,” said Pallavi, who recently was selected as CAREGiver of the Month at Home Instead of Richmond Hill-Vaughan. Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Jennifer Bannon announced Pallavi’s honour.

“It makes me feel lucky and brings a smile to my face. It’s amazing how I saw her on the first day of my shift and now how she has been able to become independent in so many ways. She became confident in herself to do better. She smiles more. She enjoys her long-time favourite hobby of dancing. I feel blessed to see someone smiling again. Nothing is better than this.”

Pallavi joined Home Instead of Missies in March 2021 and later was transferred to the Richmond Hill-Vaughan franchise. Pallavi, a native of Chandigarh, India, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in her homeland and became a registered nurse in India before moving to Canada. Pallavi is focusing on becoming a registered nurse in Canada, where the demand is great.

“I am a very sincere person when it comes to my life and career. That’s why when I landed in Canada, I tried my hardest to get into this field as soon as possible. I applied on Indeed.com and with the help of a friend, I got the email address, and I sent my resume to Home Instead. Today, I am happy to be a part of Home Instead,” Pallavi said.

Pallavi has served as a family caregiver. “In my home country, I cared for my parents when they fell sick. Honestly, coming into this field made me realize this is such a beautiful journey and a lifelong learning experience for those of us who choose this work. I feel more secure toward my parents’ health and their approaching senior years that I can give them good care when the opportunity presents itself. It makes me feel I am a good caretaker,” Pallavi said.

Senior care has sharpened and expanded Pallavi’s outlook in nuanced ways she could not have anticipated. “I am an empathetic person. Earlier, I was quite sympathetic toward pain and the people who suffer from it. But now I learned the quality of having an empathetic attitude, and how this one major trait makes your client so secure,” Pallavi explained.

Pallavi loves being a part of the CAREGiver team for co-owners Brenda Enright and Greg Bechard. Their franchise is a member of a highly successful network founded in 1994 in the United States. The Home Instead network is the world’s leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 90 million hours of care annually throughout Canada, the United States and 12 other countries. Pallavi is among more than 100,000 CAREGivers, and she has helped add to those numbers because of her strong belief in Home Instead’s purpose.

“The best things in this job are the blessings, and I want to emphasize that fact. During the nine months I have been working, that is still my one constant. Those aspects make me feel lucky and give me satisfaction after I come home after a long shift, and those are the blessings I received during my work time,” Pallavi said.

Ngozi Fills a Void in Her Life by Helping Others

CAREGiver of the Month Ngozi poignantly thinks of her late parents when she’s helping Home Instead® clients on behalf of her award-winning Richmond Hill-Vaughan franchise. “Having lost both of my parents, it gives me great satisfaction to do things to assist seniors, things that I would have done for my parents if they were alive,” Ngozi said.

“I chose to work for Home Instead because doing good for others is always my primary goal. I like to think of myself as a compassionate person,” said Ngozi, who has been a Home Instead CAREGiver since February 2020 while working for a franchise co-owned by Brenda Enright and Greg Bechard.

While Ngozi was training as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) at a city adult learning center in 2019, a classmate, Bibi, told her about Home Instead. After class that day, Ngozi went online to the Home Instead website to learn more about the world’s leading provider of in-home care services for older adults.

“I was impressed with the information they put online. Then I really resonated with the answers I got when I asked Bibi further about Home Instead,” said Ngozi, who had previous practical senior-care experience as a family caregiver and is now training to be a nurse. “I cared for my grandmother, who had dementia for a little more than five years before she passed on.”

Just as her friend was, Ngozi is eager to tell others about Home Instead and its devoted service to seniors and their families. “What I love most about my job as a Home Instead CAREGiver is the opportunity to do what I love. It’s like a natural habitat for me, knowing there is something professionally I can do to be of help to someone who really needs it.” 

Thinking of how she fits into the lives of her clients, Ngozi explained: “Going through the natural circle of life is inevitable. There is the time when you are young, able to do all you need to do or desire to do. Years down the line, you might need someone to assist you to do those things you are not able to do but still need to do. Life happens, and so does its challenges and stresses. Becoming afflicted with a disability can be so random and heartbreaking. I know I can help someone who is dealing with any disabling condition. He or she can still have the opportunity to live life to the fullest with my assistance. For me, that is extremely satisfying.” 

Perhaps nothing is better, Ngozi said, than winning over a reluctant client who is resistant to help. “My Home Instead favourite story is about a standoffish client for whom I cared for nine months. For more than six of those nine months, I assisted the client for 12 hours every day, including holidays. As I progressed with the client’s daily care, our communication improved. He was quite witty,” Ngozi recalled.

“Even now, I giggle when I remember some of the funny stories he shared. I will never forget his reaction when I surprised him on his birthday with a card and a little gift. He was so appreciative of the gesture. Starting with him was tough, but I have missed him since the contract ended.”

In addition to her strong companionship skills, Ngozi provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Ngozi and other Richmond Hill-Vaughan CAREGivers offer personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, dementia support, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, the Ontario CAREGivers not only assist their clients, but help their clients’ families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.

Ngozi loves being a valuable asset to her franchise, a member of a network founded in 1994 in the United States. The Home Instead network consists of more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 90 million hours of care annually throughout Canada and 13 other countries. Ngozi is among more than 100,000 CAREGivers, and she’s helped add to those numbers because of her belief in Home Instead’s purpose.

Veronica's Conversation Starter: Ask Clients About Their Travels

When Veronica references her client memories, she loves to recall her clients' stories and histories. Veronica feels as though she has traveled all over the world and never left Ontario as a result of the colourful stories she has heard from clients since joining Home Instead.

"I always ask my clients about their lifetime of traveling. That makes them smile. I have heard so many stories from the clients about their trips all over the world. From the conversations with my clients, I have enjoyed learning about the world we live in, and I sure hope I can see some of the countries they've visited. They paint vivid pictures of what they did and how they enjoyed it," said Veronica.

"As a Home Instead CAREGiver, I look at each client as a different personality, which indeed they truly are. I like to talk to them and get to know their personalities," said Veronica, who points out that companionship is an important element in the care of a client.

In addition to her strong companionship skills, Veronica provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Veronica and other CAREGivers offer personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, dementia support, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility

Veronica added: "I previously had worked for many years as a full-time live-in nanny who took care of a newborn and other children. Also, as a private-duty worker, I cleaned a home part time. Before agency work, I had not been in senior care. I was not a family caregiver for elderly loved ones because I did not take care of my parents, who lived in St. Lucia. This is work I enjoy."

So, Did You Hear That? Chances Are,
Philip Did and Took Care of the Problem

The value of listening has not been lost on Philip, who will tell you that listening is a lost art, especially where senior care is concerned. For instance, someone can "hear" something, but comprehension and action follow only if "listening" has occurred.

"Active listening helps me identify the needs of our clients at. Through active listening, I can better understand their challenges so I can respond to them effectively," said Philip.  

By using his strong listening skills, Philip knows how to provide safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Philip offers personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, dementia support, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, he not only assists his clients, but help the clients' families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.

Listening and taking a personal, family-caregiving approach to the job, Philip pointed out, are two of the primary keys to being a successful CAREGiver. "I treat all the clients as if they were my own parents. Receiving positive feedback from clients and their family members is my biggest accomplishment and motivation," Philip explained.

There is more to professional senior care than just a singularly client-focused approach, although the client's satisfaction weighs heavily, Philip noted.   

"My favourite story involves not just helping the client but the family as well. There is a family who is very thankful I could split my shift working in the morning and night. That helps to relieve a great amount of stress on the family as the family members need help transferring the client in and out of bed. Of course, I am happy to help the family," Philip said.

It isn't hard to see that Philip lives the Home Instead principles of "Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart," especially when his listening skills are at such a high level. Listening leads to comprehension, which leads to action.

Ogechi Loves to Provide People-Centred Care

Ogechi, whose name means "the greatest of God's times," "I have been with Home Instead since June 2019. I find it a very nice care organization and was referred by my friend," Ogechi explained. "I like my job because it affords me the opportunity to provide person-centered care to seniors, and to care for them compassionately."

To build on their knowledge and experience, Ogechi is offered the opportunity to increase their dementia-care skills by taking part in the Home Instead network's one-of-a-kind training protocol.

Ogechi is among more than 90,000 CAREGivers worldwide, and she has helped add to those numbers because of her strong belief in Home Instead's purpose. It isn't hard to see Ogechi lives the Home Instead principles of "Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart."

Lavern Earns Her Fourth CAREGiver Honour

Before the calendar had flipped from December 2016 to January 2017, Lavern had been selected for the first of her four Home Instead CAREGiver awards. In 2017, Lavern was honoured as CAREGiver of the Year. Her second CAREGiver of the Month award came in January 2019. And in June 2021, Lavern was selected as CAREGiver of the Month for the third time. Those are quite a few accolades for someone who hadn’t even worked in Canada until after February 2016, when she traveled from her native Jamaica to Canada. There’s no doubt Lavern, a former practical nurse, has set the pace for senior-care excellence in the Toronto area in less than five years.

Unfailingly humble and unpretentious, Lavern eschewed talk of the honors and preferred to chat about the learning experiences – some of them involving deep sorrow – that led up to her arrival at Home Instead.

Lavern’s father died when she was an 18-year-old college student, and her mother died a couple of years later. As a family caregiver, Lavern helped with the care of her in-laws. Her mother-in-law had chronic high blood pressure, and her father-in-law died of cancer. “I tried very hard to help my mother-in-law as much as I could. I made sure my father-in-law was comfortable. At the time, I was working as a nurse in Jamaica,” said Lavern, whose nursing responsibilities included assisting on surgical procedures and wound care. She also saw a lot of elderly patients.

With her experience, it’s no surprise that Lavern is selected to assist clients who need a full breadth of care. Since January 2021, Lavern has been helping a 24/7 Parkinson’s disease client, 89, who does not have dementia but is wheelchair-bound and needs supplemental oxygen.

“Sometimes the tremors can rev up and be challenging. The bottom line, of course, is keeping her safe. She likes to do as much for herself as possible, and I think promoting a feeling of independence is good for any client as long as the dangers are eliminated. She understands everything, and she’s quite friendly. We talk. If her breathing is labored, we don’t say much. I just monitor it closely,” explained Lavern. “Working for Home Instead has been quite an experience. The franchise staff really reaches out to you to help you grow professionally. I have taken every continuing education program I can.”

Amal Finds Her Passion as a CAREGiver

Five years ago, Amal discovered an unsurpassed joy. Amal did not have to manufacture a zeal for the work or delve into senior-care coursework before deciding to join Home Instead – her intuition and family caregiving experiences had pointed her in the right career direction.

"I never went to school for caregiving or Personal Support Worker certification. This is just a passion that came from inside me that I wanted to pursue. I was applying for jobs, and I found the listing for Home Instead, which interested me because I enjoy helping the elderly,"said Amal.

Amal credited family caregiving with giving her a taste of senior care. "I grew up very close to my parents and grandparents. My mother recently moved in with me, and I love being there for her when she needs me. It makes me happy to know I am helping her when I can,"said Amal, whose empathy and compassion blossomed from foundationally strong family relationships. She uses those qualities to help her clients.

Amal pointed out she has learned much from her clients, who often impart their wisdom by explaining how they navigated their lives' journeys.

"I enjoy being with all my clients as I get to experience different things with them. For example, some clients and I go on walks a lot. Some clients and I play cards or put together puzzles. With some clients, we have conversations, go shopping or work on painting. My clients have introduced me to many new things, and I feel as if they're my family. This is a mutual feeling between me and the clients as they treat me like their own. That's what I really enjoy the most, the closeness with my clients,"Amal said. 

One of Amal's previous clients would tell her in-depth stories about his past. "I heard about things such as his work career, things he used to collect, books he used to write that I loved. I enjoyed how he would share his life experiences with me. These are my favourite stories I will always remember and cherish,"said Amal, whose email address includes the word "sunshine."That is no surprise to anyone with whom she has come into contact. 

Henry, Client Kick Around Soccer Memories

Their native homelands are about 3,500 miles apart, and they met in a Toronto suburb, half a world away from their birthplaces. The need for in-home care brought them together, and their love of soccer is what has bonded Henry and his 90-year-old client. To say they are soccer fans is putting it mildly.

“Because my client is an Italian and I am Nigerian, we often discuss the World Cup that took place in 1994, when it was played at various sites in the United States,” said Henry, who joined about five months ago.

“On July 5 in the Round of 16 of that World Cup tournament, my client’s Italian team defeated my Nigerian team with the winning goal at the 94th minute of the 2-1 game in Foxborough, Massachusetts. That outcome eliminated Nigeria from the tournament. The Italy-Nigeria soccer discussion usually brightens my client’s day. I think he’s happy to point out that Italy went on to beat Spain in the quarterfinals and Bulgaria in the semifinals before losing in the 0-0 final to Brazil on penalty kicks.”

Sports are a fun commonality that can unite young and old across the world, and so it is with Henry and his client. Explaining the secret to his exemplary service, Henry said: “I make the job easy and loving by getting the client to feel comfortable with me. I treat my client with empathy and respect. I engage him with some activities like singing and playing games. I often engage my client with prayers before putting him to bed, and he loves it so much. My aim is to ensure I satisfy my client by making sure I brighten his face before I finish my duty.”

Henry’s work background had been in the aviation industry as a customer service agent before relocating to Canada.

In addition to his strong companionship skills, Henry provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Henry and other CAREGivers offer personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, dementia support, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, the CAREGivers not only assist their clients, but help their clients’ families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.

Philomina Loves Helping Those in Need

Philomina's awesome name has an appropriate meaning for the seniors she serves. Most linguistics experts agree that Philomina means "friend of strength" or "mind, purpose, strength, courage." That's exactly who Philomina is. In fact, she pointed out: "It's always my pleasure to be helpful to the helpless."

It is abundantly clear Philomina is a source of strength for her clients, which also impacts their family members. What are Philomina's skills? She provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Philomina offers personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, dementia support, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, the CAREGivers not only assist their clients, but help their clients' families eliminate worry, reduce stress, and re-establish personal freedom.

Working for Home Instead hasn't been Philomina's first experience with senior care. "I worked as a professional in-home caregiver for another company about 10 years ago. I stopped working because I had children, so I became a stay-at-home mom," Philomina explained. "On the opposite age spectrum of family caregiving, I have taken care of my grandmother."

"What I like most about Home Instead is how flexible the hours are, and also how nice and helpful the office staff members are when I call them on the phone," said Philomina.

For Philomina, touching lives impacts her soul. "I had one female client in Aurora, and we had so much in common. We baked together and sang. She always told me a story," said Philomina, who is among more than 90,000 CAREGivers worldwide.

At Home Instead, we always take into consideration that this job is a VERY personal one.  It’s one thing to find a CAREGiver who is excellent at home help, meal preparation, personal care and dementia care, but it’s another thing to find someone who can do all those things AND be amazing at connecting with people.  When I think of a CAREGiver who embodies all these qualities, I automatically think of Mila Elias, who is our February CAREGiver of the Month.

Mila started with Home Instead in July of 2020 and since then, she’s quickly become one of our most beloved CAREGivers, not just with our clients, but also our team.  Her winning personality and ability to connect with anyone and everyone makes her such a valuable member of our team.  Since the global pandemic, most people have experienced some form of isolation in one way or another, which is why companionship can not be overlooked as such a key service that our CAREGivers provide.

Mila really is a one-of-a-kind CAREGiver, which is why she’s our February CAREGiver of the Month.

When you think about all the attributes that make up an amazing Home Instead CAREGiver, you’ll definitely think of someone who is compassionate, hard-working, patient, trustworthy, skilled…but let’s not forget dependable.  Ngozi Agwu embodies all these attributes consistently, and this is why she is our October CAREGiver of the Month.  Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ngozi has been consistently working 7 days a week, working with one particular client, to ensure that they have overnight support from someone who wants to see them live life to their fullest.  Ngozi is a certified Personal Support Worker (who is studying to be a nurse) and has been working at Home Instead since February 2020, but it seems as though she’s been here much longer because she’s so knowledgeable and has a way of seeing everyone in a positive light. Ngozi’s name comes from African descent and means “blessing”, but the truth of the matter is, we’re the ones who are blessed  to have someone like her on our team, which is why she’s our CAREGiver of the Month.

At Home Instead, we pride ourselves on not only finding the right CAREGiver with the right skillset for our clients, but also the right personality.  Ensuring CAREGiver compatibility with your loved ones is an area we take great pride in, and nothing gives us more joy than when our CAREGivers and clients hit it off almost immediately.  This seems to be a recurring theme with our September CAREGiver of the Month, Jocelyn.  A retired occupational therapist, Jocelyn joined Home Instead shortly after the pandemic started, and her passion for helping people, especially during these trying times, is undeniable.  She truly cares about our clients and being able to provide the support they need to continue living a fulfilling life.  Whether it’s sourcing on her own time a medication reminder solution for a visually impaired client or taking time out of her busy work/life schedule to go for regular COVID tests to ensure she’s protecting those that she cares for, Jocelyn is always thinking about our clients.  Jocelyn’s ability to connect with people and make them feel like family is effortless and absolutely genuine, which is why she’s our CAREGiver of the Month.  #OurCAREGiversRock

Home Instead CAREGivers are known in the community as being compassionate, hard-working and professional…but also extremely dependable. This fact is undeniable, especially when talking about our August CAREGiver of the Month, Monica. Monica, an international nurse, started with Home Instead back in February, and it wasn’t too long before she was consistently working 6 days a week. When the global pandemic hit, a lot of people were scared to work and be out in the community, but the opposite could be said for Monica. Instead of cutting hours, Monica ended up increasing her shifts to work 7 days a week. She understood that our clients needed us more than ever and she’s definitely not one to let them down. This speaks volumes about her character and how dependable she is. Monica even offered to pick up shifts when other CAREGivers needed time off, once again proving her commitment to helping others in need. Monica is a model of what our CAREGivers represent and we’re so lucky to have her on our team. #OurCAREGiversRock

Family caregivers do their best to support their elderly loved ones with daily activities of living, but they can’t be there every minute of every day. That’s where CAREGivers like Nanjala can “swoop” in to help. As a student working towards a degree in filmography at York University, she specializes in providing companionship and home helper support – and promotes physical and cognitive health through regular activities and light exercise. From assistance with meals and support with mobility, to conversation and companionship to help sharpen memory, Nanajal characterizes what it takes to be a reliable, compassionate and professional CAREGiver. Her ability to learn and willingness to help are a couple reasons why she is so amazing – and a shining example of why our CAREGivers are the best! #OurCAREGiversRock

Home Instead CAREGivers have a wide range of experiences – and our CAREGiver of the Month, Padina, has perhaps experienced it all. As a former physics teacher, she has the smarts and can quickly adapt to any situation. Currently, she is earning a certificate as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) and has a keen understanding of what it takes to deliver high quality care and professional services for seniors who want to maintain their independence and safety in the comfort of their own homes. She currently cares multiple clients with varying abilities and supports them with feeding, dressing, toileting and incontinence care, transfers and ambulation. Padina is fluent in Farsi (Persian) and has demonstrated a strong ability to connect with seniors from all walks of life. Needless to say, we are blessed to have her on our team (each and every day)! #OurCAREGiversRock

​Nearly four years ago, Home Instead welcomed one of it’s most caring and beloved CAREGivers. Over the years, Amal has provided 6,000 hours of home care services for seniors living with various medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s or other dementias, congestive heart failure, emphysema, diabetes and cancer. From assistance with exercises and meal preparations, to support with bathing and managing complex behaviours, Amal is not only a skilled personal support worker – but she quickly proves to be an invaluable extension of every family. Beyond being a 5-star CAREGiver, Amal delivers the trust and companionship that is needed excel as a caregiver. She was the recipient of two coveted Home Instead awards: CAREGiver of the Month (September 2016), and CAREGiver of Year (2018)… And this month, we are honoured to award Amal with the CAREGiver of January 2020 award. #OurCAREGiversRock

At Home Instead, our motto "To us, it's personal" is more than just words. It guides us as we provide personalized care, build relationships, and enhance the lives of seniors and their families. Our CAREGiver of the Month, Doris, is a beautiful example of this principle and how it permeates everything we do. In her own words, Doris “loved” taking care of her grandmother and today, she takes pride in the care that she provides for our elderly clients. From Alzheimer’s to Parkinson disease, Doris has the experience and skillset to help seniors live safely and independently – and compliments her work with a positive, “can-do” personality that allows her to readily connect with her clients. Her ability to take action and achieve results earns her this coveted award and makes us honoured to have her on our team. #OurCAREGiversRock​

Home Instead CAREGivers have a wide range of experiences – and our CAREGiver of the Month, Leila, has perhaps experienced it all. As a professional caregiver for nearly 25 years, Leila has a keen understanding of what it takes to deliver high quality care and professional services for seniors who simply want to maintain their independence and safety in the comfort of their own homes. She currently cares for a client living with Parkinson’s with activities such as feeding, dressing, toileting and incontinence care, transfers and ambulation. Leila is fluent in Farsi (Persian) and also works as a support worker at Mackenzie Health Hospital in Richmond Hill – a role that she has held for 15 years. Leila is very reliable and has demonstrated a strong ability to connect with seniors from all walks of life – and we are blessed to have her on our team! #OurCAREGiversRock

Our CAREGiver of September makes caregiving look easy (but we know it isn’t). With many years of experience prior to joining Home Instead, including live-in support for an elderly husband and wife, both of whom were living with Alzheimer’s – Christian drives her care with compassion and sheer intuition. She’s incredibly knowledgeable at managing complex behaviours associated with dementias, including wandering, agitation, forgetfulness and aggression – and has advanced personal care skills to provide support including dressing, bathing, grooming, incontinence and oral care. Above and beyond her ability to connect with our clients, Christian has a proven to be reliable and meets all of her shift commitments. She continues to receive glowing reviews by her clients… And we couldn’t agree more! #OurCaregiversRock

As an international medical graduate with a specialty in gerontology, our CAREGiver of the Month, Ogechi, has the skill and knowledge to support seniors requiring a broad spectrum of care. As a companion, she encourages her clients to participate in activities and light exercises – and as a home helper, she assists with activities including meal preparations, laundry, and light housekeeping. Recently, Ogechi has been supporting an elderly woman living with Parkinson’s and dementia. In this role, she focuses much of her efforts on personal hygiene by providing support with dressing, incontinence, oral care and showering. Her positive attitude and charming manners help her readily connect with her clients, and their family members – and her focus on providing reliable and professional support has earned her this coveted award. #OurCAREGiversRock

If you haven’t heard already – Home Instead CAREGivers are absolutely amazing! And July’s CAREGiver of the Month is another shining example of what is possible when we lead with our hearts and build trust with our elderly clients. As a mother, wife, and family caregiver; caring for others comes naturally for Victoria. Since joining Home Instead in October 2017, she has consistently provided home care services to a single client living with Alzheimer’s/dementia. Victoria supports her client with activities of daily living including meal preparations and medication reminders – as well as managing complex behaviours through thoughtful conversations and companionship. She is fluent in Italian and readily steps in to support other Italian clients who are unable to speak English. #OurCAREGiversRock

Home Instead CAREGivers come from all walks of life. As a former elementary school teacher, mother of two, and caregiver of her own elderly family members, Sharon excels as providing compassionate home care services for seniors. She originally joined our team in December 2016 and has logged almost 1,700 hours of care. Over the past year, she has been providing companionship, home helper and personal care support for a client living with dementia and mobility limitations. Every Monday to Friday, Sharon prepares nutritious meals, keeps the home clean, helps with showers, assists with medications – and actively monitors changes in her client’s condition and regularly reports any concerns to the family and administrative staff. Sharon embodies all the qualities of a great caregiver – and we are so blessed to have her support. #OurCAREGiversRock ​

​A tradition of great caregiving means that we take care of our own as well as we take care of seniors across Richmond Hill & Vaughan. As a professional caregiver, Veronica provides individualized support for her clients – and as a two time recipient of this award, caring for seniors seems to come naturally to her. Over the past three years, Veronica has supported individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias with personal care assistance, such as toileting, bathing and grooming, providing nutritious meals, assisting with ambulation and socialization – as well as helping with light housework. As a certified Personal Support Worker (PSW) she is capable of adapting the level of care as her client’s disease states progress, and maintaining a safe environment. Her reliability and professionalism has won the hearts of her clients – and earned her another CAREGiver of the Month Award.

Home Instead is known for its specialization in dementia care – and our CAREGiver of the Month is a shining example of the outstanding work that we do. With a certification from the University of Toronto in “PSW Approach to Quality Care”, Ola focuses her efforts on encouraging clients to do much as they can on their own, offers mental stimulation through conversation, maintains a safe environment, manages changing behaviors, supports with feedings and provides nutritious meals, assists with ambulation, and of course, offers compassionate personal care assistance, such as toileting, bathing and grooming. Her calm personality and ongoing reliability has earned the trust of her clients and their family members – and we are blessed to have her on our team as she continues to enhance the lives of seniors across York Region.

Home Instead CAREGivers come from all walks of life – and our CAREGiver of the Month, Kofi, is a glowing example of this. As a personal support worker (PSW) for nearly 20 years, former psychiatric assistant at Toronto General Hospital, and assistant church minister, Kofi truly has a passion for caring for people living with dementia. He currently supports two elderly gentlemen, one with advanced Alzheimer’s and the other with Lewy Body dementia, with activities of daily living such as incontinence care, dressing, grooming, feeding and exercises. His clients have shown challenging behaviours, such as verbal and physical aggression towards others – however, with Kofi’s longstanding history as a care worker, as well as his calm and nurturing personality, he has readily earned the trust of his clients and continues to enhance their lives each and everyday.

February is the month of love – and our CAREGiver of the Month, Pauline, is sincerely loved by all of her clients and fellow caregivers. As a certified personal support worker (PSW), she provides compassionate support for activities of daily living, including assistance with feeding, incontinence care, bathing, dressing and grooming. Pauline also specializes in providing advanced care for people living with Alzheimer's or other dementias, readily earning their trust and respect simply by sharing her heart, remaining calm and using advanced techniques to manage complex behaviours such as fearfulness, anxiety, aggression and wandering. She was also the CAREGiver of October 2017 – and as a 2-time recipient and a member of the Home Instead team for over 2 years, we are so grateful to have her reliable support and professionalism. #OurCAREGiversRock

We love to celebrate the successes of our CAREGivers – and some stand out more than others. As a former nurse, Lavern assisted with surgical procedures and patient recovery. In November 2016, she took a leap and joined Home Instead to enhance of the lives of our elderly clients. During this period, she’s provided live-in support, as well as daytime and overnight work. The most remarkable attribute about Lavern is her reliability and “can-do” attitude as she typically travels upwards of two hours (each way, by bus) to support her clients with meal preparations, feeding, bathing, incontinence care and light housekeeping. She has a calm and cool attitude, and her nurturing soul readily earns the trust and respect of her clients and their family members. To top it off, Lavern previously earned the CAREGiver of December 2016 Award – and in 2017 she was the recipient of our CAREGiver of the Year Award. Needless to say, she’s absolutely incredible and everyone that comes across her path will agree.

Many people envision their retirement years as a time to do all the things they’ve been meaning to do for ages – travel, spend more time with grandkids, or even clean out the basement. But after a while, retirees often find themselves longing for a sense of purpose and fulfillment of a career. This certainly holds true for Mim, our CAREGiver of December 2018. As a former WSIB Consultant, Mim was dedicated to the rehabilitation and special needs of serious injury victims. Today, she uses her knowledge of home safety modifications and activities of daily living to support clients who are living with Alzheimer’s/dementia. From companionship, to helping with light housekeeping, meal preparations and grocery shopping, Mim’s ability to provide compassionate and professional support has made a positive impact on the lives of her clients. She is a great example that you can re-enter the workforce no matter your age – and we are so blessed that she has chosen Home Instead.

Home Instead is well-known for the personalized care that we provide for seniors across Richmond Hill and Vaughan. This level of support demands a caregiver who is skilled with personal care activities and well-versed as a homemaker – but also someone who can quickly adapt to any situation to build trust and connect with their client. Our CAREGiver of the Month, Saffeena, is the perfect example of the level of professionalism, reliability and compassion needed to excel as a caregiver and exceed all expectations. Over the past 6 months, Saffeena has provided over 1,200 hours of service for clients living with advanced Alzheimer’s and other dementias – and has supported seniors with other cognitive dysfunctions, such as Bipolar disorder. She is also enrolled in college to earn a certificate as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) and aspires to one day become a nurse. #OurCAREGiversRock

Our CAREGiver of the Month is truly an integral part of our team. Since joining Home Instead in August of 2016, Sepi has supported 23 clients and provided nearly 1,500 hours of home care services across Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Thornhill, Aurora, Newmarket, Markham and North York. Throughout this time, she has proven her versatility by caring for elderly people with a broad spectrum diseases and needs, including cognitive dysfunctions such as Alzheimer’s, frontal lobe dementia, delirium and schizophrenia – as well as assignments involving post-surgical and palliative care. She is kind natured and readily connects with her clients by going for walks, doing arts and crafts, and treating her female clients to rejuvenating manicures. Sepi is working towards earning a nursing degree and given the level of care that she provides for Home Instead clients, we are confident that she will one day become an amazing nurse! #OurCAREGiversRock

At Home Instead, we share their hearts by being compassionate, thoughtful – and simply, by being ourselves. Our CAREGiver of the Month, Sharalee, embodies this motto in everything she does. Also known as “Smiley”, it’s no surprise that Sharalee quickly connects with her clients. Prior to joining Home Instead, Sharalee earned a Bachelors degree in Social Work and employed as a PSW supervisor at Elqueena where she oversees the care of residents with varying disabilities. Today, as a CAREGiver, she exclusively supports seniors living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias with activities such as light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparations, regular exercises – and offers a warm shoulder to lean on. Family members are always impressed with her punctuality, professionalism, and enthusiasm, which has not only earned her this award, but has also helped enhance the lives of the clients that she supports. #OurCAREGiversRock

Family caregivers do their best to support mom and dad with their daily activities, but they can’t be there every minute of every day. That’s where CAREGivers like Maria can help. As a student working towards her Social Worker diploma, she specializes in providing companionship and home helper support – and promotes physical and cognitive health through regular activities and light exercise. From meal preparation to help ensure nutritional needs are met, to conversation and discussion of current and historic events to help sharpen memory, Maria epitomizes what it takes to be a compassionate, reliable and professional CAREGiver. Recently, one of her client’s complimented her work by stating that Maria “exceeded [his] expectations” and simply made him “feel at ease”. Her ability to learn and willingness to help are a couple reasons why she is so amazing – and a shining example of why our CAREGivers rock!

Skilled personal support workers are an integral part of our organization – and our CAREGiver of the Month, Grace, is the perfect example of what it takes to enhance the lives of elderly people. As a trained PSW, Grace has ample experience caring for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias by providing compassionate personal care support, as well as assistance around the home with light housekeeping, laundry and meal preparations. Much of her expertise involves managing complex behaviours associated with dementia, including forgetfulness, agitation, aggression, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations and wandering. She has a certification in Crisis Prevention Intervention and is currently enrolled at Centennial College to earn another certification as a Development Support Worker. #OurCAREGiversRock

Hyacinth is no stranger to caring for others. With over 25 years of caregiving experience, she is well-versed with supporting elderly adults with activities of daily living (ADL) including support with transfers, assistance with bathing and incontinence, as well as preparing meals and light housekeeping. She is a certified personal support worker (PSW) who quickly adapts to any situation, particularly when managing complex behaviours associated with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. For over 9 months, she has provided reliable and professional support for her client – giving him the opportunity to continue living independently at home, as well as giving his family members some well-deserved respite. #OurCAREGiversRock

Our CAREGiver of the Month is simply a superstar. Prior to joining Home Instead, Sharon was a private caregiver for a 98 year old senior citizen, followed by family of eleven children in Thornhill… Yes you read correctly, she singlehandedly cared for eleven children! Today, she draws on that experience to support a 92 year old client who is living with Alzheimer’s and struggling with anxiety. From mealtime support and playing word puzzles, to assisting with bedtime activities and companionship to keep her client calm, Sharon’s compassion and patience shines through everyday. She is full of energy, has exemplary communication skills, and is truly committed to connecting and building trust with her client and family members. Needless to say, we are blessed to have her support and proud to recognize her with this award. #OurCAREGiversRock

The best Home Instead CAREGivers have one thing in common: a heart of gold shining with compassion and thoughtfulness at every turn. As our CAREGiver of the Month, Mila readily builds trust with her clients by being reliable and involved – and most importantly, connects with her clients by sharing her heart. She supports multiple seniors throughout York Region, providing assistance with light housekeeping, meal preparation, support with incontinence and managing very complicated behaviours associated with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. In her spare time, Mila volunteers at a local church as a tutor for young children and always uses her creativity to engage those around her. Her personality is refreshing and her approach to caring for others is comforting. We are lucky to have her on our team and praise her for her ongoing support and professionalism.

Providing compassionate care seems to come naturally for some people – and our CAREGiver of the Month is a leading example of this. With a bachelor in nursing and personal support worker (PSW) certification, Elvira consistently shows her professionalism and expertise as she supports some of the most complicated cases, from extremely frail seniors who require ongoing attention with personal care activities, to people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias requiring supervisory care to ensure their independence and safety. Elvira is a skilled homemaker and excellent companion with a keen eye for detail. Her daily quality assurance reports allows the office staff to effectively monitor her clients’ status and reassures family members that an optimal level of support is always being provided. Elvira is one of a kind and exceptional member of our team. #OurCAREGiversRock​

The need for in-home senior care services doesn't always arise between 9am and 5pm on a weekday. That's why CAREGivers like Korina are ready and willing to serve seniors with overnight shifts to ensure their safety and help maintain their independence. As our CAREGiver of the month, Korina has been primarily supporting a client living with advanced dementia who can be forgetful, has trouble sleeping, is verbally aggressive and frequently has panic attacks due to anxiety. Thankfully, Korina is exceptionally skilled at building trust, taking the lead and connecting with her clients. Her compassion and reliability are at the core of her care, and contribute to her success as a Home Instead CAREGiver. Congratulations Korina on earning this award – we are proud to have you on our team! #OurCAREGiversRock

Seniors have come to trust Home Instead because of our reliable and professional services – and our CAREGiver of Month is a shining example of what it takes to exceed all expectations. Victoria has ample experience caring for others, from supporting mothers and infants in maternity wards, to conducting mental health assessments in hospitals, she consistently strives to enhance the quality of lives for others. To date, to she has cared for Home Instead clients who are living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, as well as those who are terminally ill and may have mere weeks to live. Regardless of the task at hand, Victoria quickly builds trust with her clients and takes the lead to maintain a high quality of life for them. She has recently received a diploma in Practical Nursing and fluently speaks two other languages: Russian and Korean. Needless to say, she is an integral part of our team and we are blessed to have her ongoing support and commitment. #OurCAREGiversRock​

Home Instead CAREGivers are well-known for their diversity and experience – and our CAREGiver of the Month is a shining example of this. As a former nurse in Inidia and Kuwait, Geetha is well-versed with the human body and medical processes. Because of her education and various roles as an RN, Geetha has proven to be a versatile CAREGiver that can be assigned to any situation, from simple companionship and homemaker, to providing personal care support and managing complex behaviours associated with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Over the past 3 months, she’s demonstrated ongoing reliability by consistently supporting her client 5-days per week. Geetha can also speak multiple languages, including Hindi, Urdu and Arabic. Overall, she is one the best – and we’re proud of have her on our team. #OurCAREGiversRock

Home Instead CAREGivers are known throughout York Region for their compassionate ways, professional manners and ongoing reliability… And many, like our CAREGiver of November, are incredibly versatile. Over the past five months, Mariam has eagerly supported a broad spectrum of clients, each with drastically different needs. From managing complex behaviours associated with Alzheimer’s disease and bipolar disorder, to improving the quality of life for palliative patients and motor vehicle accident victims, Mariam has shown success with her clients by building trust and connecting with them. Mariam aspires to one day become a doctor and we’re certain that with her drive and personality, she will reach her goal and continue enhancing the lives of senior citizens. #OurCaregiversRock

October is the time of giving thanks – and at Home Instead, we are truly thankful for Pauline, our CAREGiver of the Month. Pauline is a personal support worker (PSW) with First Aid, CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) certifications. She has provided home care services for variety of clients, each with a broad spectrum of needs, and specializes in supporting people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Most recently, she has been caring for a client who is non-verbal and immobile, and needs full support with transfers, incontinence care, light exercises, meal preparation, feeding and medication reminders. Beyond her professionalism, Pauline is very reliable and treats each and everyone one of her clients with the same respect and dignity as she would give for her own parents. #PaulineCares

Home Instead CAREGivers are tasked with supporting the independence and safety of senior citizens by providing compassionate and professional home care services. It’s not an easy job, yet for our CAREGiver of the Month, Veronica, caring for seniors seems to be a natural part of her soul. Over the past year, Veronica has supported individuals living with Alzheimer’s/dementia and palliative cancer patients requiring help with activities of daily living, including assistance with showering, incontinence care, and grooming. As a certified personal support worker, PSW, she has also provided attendant care support to an elderly client recovering from a motor vehicle accident. By encouraging regular exercises and cooking nutritious meals, Veronica has been an instrumental part of rehabilitation plans – and has even been praised as a “member of the family”. Veronica exemplifies our core values by building trust, taking the lead and sharing her heart – and we are honoured to have her on our team. #VeronicaCares​

Home Instead CAREGivers are world renowned for their ability to manage complex behaviours associated with Alzheimer’s or other dementias – and our CAREGiver of the Month, Donna, is a shining example of this. As a former registered nurse in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia, Donna consistently demonstrated critical thinking and advanced communication skills in the operating room. Today, she is supporting a male client with advanced Alzheimer’s who is completely dependent on her, from feeding and bathing, to engaging in activities and incontinence care. As is the case with some dementia patients, her client has a history of verbal and physical aggression towards personal support workers, but Donna has been able to exercise sound professional judgement and ongoing compassion to effectively manage his behaviours – as well as to help maintain his independence and quality of life. #DonnaCares

Every Home Instead CAREGiver has a remarkable story to tell – and Rosemary is certainly no exception. As a former social worker in Kenya, Rosemary was responsible for ensuring access to clean water and education for the Maasai tribal communities, as well as empowering women to take a stand against the brutalities of female genital mutilation. She has a kind heart, and readily shows warmth and compassion towards people of all ages… But she does have a ‘soft spot’ for senior citizens. Over the past two months, Rosemary has been providing live-in homecare services for an elderly gentleman, and supports him with bathing, incontinence care, meal preparations, exercises and light housekeeping. Her accomplishments as a CAREGiver have been extraordinary and we are blessed to have her as a part of our team. #RosemaryCares

As a former Airport Screening Officer, Joyce is no stranger to interacting with people from all walks of life, executing detailed protocol and most importantly, ensuring the safety of others. Over the past 3 months, she has been caring for two elderly clients living with dementia and uses the skills acquired as an officer to ensure their ongoing independence and safety. Today, as a Home Instead CAREGiver, Joyce provides personal care support, including bathing and peri-care, assists with medication reminders, and helps train new CAREGivers. She is full of energy and has made a positive connection with her clients and their family members – who have even described her as a “lifesaver” for her ability to manage some of the complex behaviours associated with dementia. #CaregiverOfTheMonth

There’s no job too tough for Norma! Over the past 3 months she has been assigned to multiple cases requiring intensive care – and with her PSW education, along with many years of caregiving experience – Norma demonstrates compassion and utmost professionalism as she supports the unique needs of each client, such as managing hallucinations, aggression and wandering behaviours associated with advanced Alzheimer’s. If that’s not tough enough, she is also caring for a frail gentleman who only speaks Persian – and cannot communicate a single word in English. Despite this language barrier, Norma has been able to earn his trust and respect as she skillfully supports him with toileting and bathing activities. Above all, Norma regularly reports any concerns regarding her clients’ health to office staff and takes on an active role in the care planning process. #OurCAREGiversRock

Home Instead CAREGivers are special human beings – and Wei is certainly no exception. As a certified personal support worker she’s been trusted with clients, across all ages, requiring intensive in-home care services. Most notably, Wei has been supporting two motor vehicle accident (MVA) victims with attendant care services, including bathing, toileting, meal preparation, and general supervisory care. Her advanced PSW skills are further highlighted as she cares for a bedbound client who is recovering from a fractured spine. But, to be an exceptional Home Instead CAREGiver, you must also have a heart of gold and the patience of a saint – and these are dual traits that Wei demonstrates, day-in and day-out. Wei’s clients regularly communicate their respect and appreciation for her, and one even stated that she has become “like family” to them... Well, we understand: she’s definitely like family to us as well. #LoveOurPSWs

Some Home Instead CAREGivers come equipped with education or certifications intended to propel them into a career of caregiving. Others, like Sharon, come with tremendous life experiences and a big heart that make them into compassionate and loving CAREGivers. As a former elementary school teacher, mother of two, and caregiver of her own elderly family members, Sharon is no stranger to supporting the independence and safety of others. Over the past four months, she has been providing palliative care for a bedbound client who is battling breast cancer, and supports her client’s hygiene, nutrition and housekeeping needs. She is very attentive, actively monitors changes in her client’s condition, and regularly reports any concerns. In addition to English, Sharon can also speak French and Spanish but above all, she speaks our universal language of Caring. #EnhancingLives

Home Instead CAREGivers come from all walks of life, from PSWs and RNs, to everyday people who want to enhance the lives of senior citizens. Our CAREGiver of Month, Kamran, is no stranger to the healthcare world. As a former emergency room physician in Iran, he was responsible for providing critical care for patients with bone fractures, heart attacks, strokes and traumas. Armed with extensive medical knowledge, Kamran has been an indispensable member of our team – and has provided personal care support for a client who underwent multiple brain surgeries, as well as everyday companionship for others. Most recently, he’s been caring for an elderly gentleman who adores their relationship and has said that they are like “best friends”. Kamran is in the process of completing his medical residency in Canada – and needless to say, we believe he will be an amazing doctor for our Moms and Dads. #BestiesForLife

As a former pediatric nurse, Kim was responsible for carrying out doctors’ orders and supporting the needs of her patients and family members, alike. It is perhaps this experience that has helped Kim excel in her current role as a trusted CAREGiver where she consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism and respect for her clients. Getting support with personal care activities such as showering, dressing, and incontinence care can be an intimidating experience for many senior citizens – but Kim’s empathetic, calm and welcoming demeanor has helped her build meaningful relationships with her clients to quickly overcome this barrier. Kim is very responsive and swiftly communicates updates with office staff and family members, and has taken the lead on multiple initiatives to ensure the ongoing independence and safety of her clients. #HomeInsteadCaregiversRock ​

All Home Instead CAREGivers have three things in common – they are compassionate, professional and reliable. For Lavern, these traits are innate and naturally shine in everything she does. As a former nurse in Jamaica, Lavern assisted with surgical procedures and supported patients throughout their recovery. Today, she is caring for a client who is blind, immobile and dependent on her for all activities of daily living. As a live-in CAREGiver, Lavern travels more than one hour (each one-way) to provide 24-hour support with meal preparations, feeding, bathing, incontinence care and light housekeeping. To further illustrate her ongoing commitment, Lavern even worked throughout the holidays, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Her "can-do" attitude and nurturing presence has earned the trust and respect of the client and his family. Needless to say, we are proud to announce Lavern as our CAREGiver of the Month and confident that she will continue to make us proud. #EnhanceLives​

Paulette never ceases to amaze her clients. As a certified Personal Support Worker, she is responsible for providing in-home, attendant care services for two mature clients who were involved in crippling motor vehicle accidents. She supports them with bathing, grooming, meal preparation, assistance with physiotherapy exercises, escorting to doctors appointments – and above all, providing some cheer in the form of well needed companionship. During a recent Quality Assurance visit, one of Paulette’s clients commented that “Home Instead is much better than last home care company”... Of course, we couldn’t have earned this praise without Paulette’s expertise, reliability and ongoing commitment to enhancing the lives of her clients. #LovePSWs

In her past life, Devi was a phlebotomist who was skilled at drawing blood from patients for clinical and medical testing… Today, she draws on her in-depth knowledge of the human body to care for elderly people in the comfort of their own home.  Devi originally joined as a Home Instead CAREGiverSM in February 2016 and has been entrusted with caring for a bedridden Client who requires support with activities of daily living (ADL) including bed baths and incontinence care, as well as assistance with meal preparations, light housekeeping and physiotherapy exercises.  Her medical background, detail orientated approach and soft charm is a lovely combination – and one that positively contributes to our mission of enhancing of the lives of senior citizens throughout the York Region. #HomeInsteadCAREGiversRock

Amal joined the Home Instead team 6 months ago and has proven to be an indispensable CAREGiver. No job is too complicated for her, in fact, she has assisted Clients under varying circumstances, from basic companionship and home helper, to supporting the complex needs of someone living with schizophrenia, in addition to providing Attendant Care services for motor vehicle accident victims. Amal is the “Jill of all trades” and the recipient of this award for her exemplary work. #OurCAREGiversRock

We all know the saying, “there’s no I in TEAM” – and for our CAREGivers of the Month, it couldn’t be anymore true. This dream team of four came together to support an elderly Client who required around-the-clock care. In the month of August they provided nearly 450 hours of continuous care and were responsible for help around the home, feeding, fall prevention, assistance with incontinence, and managing complex behaviours (delusions, wandering, agitation, aggression, refusal, repetition and memory loss). ​Their diverse education, experience, commitment – and above all, compassionate nature, helped their Client continue to live independently and safely in the comfort of her own home. Outstanding work Catherine, Ann, Alyssa and Udee! #CAREGiverDreamTeam

Teodolito, also known as Teo, is no stranger to caring for people. As a former cardiac critical care nurse in Saudi Arabia, he’s helped heal critically ill patients at high risk of life-threatening health problems. Recently, Teo joined Home Instead as a CAREGiverSM where he consistently demonstrates reliability and compassion in supporting his client’s homecare needs, and advocates on her behalf during multiple specialist visits and hospital admissions. His client has described him as a “Godsend” and we couldn’t agree more. Congratulations Teodolito on your achievements and in becoming our CAREGiver of the Month! #TeoCares​