Breasia: ‘True Fulfillment Is Being The Best I Can Be for Someone in Need’
There’s nothing better in life, Home Instead® CAREGiver of the Month Breasia Small said, than helping someone who is in need. And job fulfillment and other benefits are that much sweeter when the companionship aspect is considered.
“Among the things I like most about being a CAREGiver is getting to know the people for whom you’re caring. You know their everyday routines, what they like to eat, what their favorite color is, even how they like their hair done. You learn their lives’ stories, and not just something written down in a stack of papers. They are living history books,” Breasia said.
“They are people with whom I can laugh, folks with whom I can roll through life. You’d be surprised how much you can learn just by being in their lives no matter how short or long you’ve been with them. Just knowing I was a big help for someone who really needed it keeps me going. That’s true fulfillment – being the best I can be for someone.”
Breasia’s favorite client story centers on a woman who Breasia helps each Monday. Describing the client as very funny, strong and smart, Breasia added: “We go to a senior center and play bingo, and she also eats lunch there. As soon as we return to her home, she tells me about every person who was at our table, They are characters, and things they have told her about their lives are funny and entertaining. It is amazing she could remember those things even though she’s dealing with Alzheimer’s.”
On April 9, 2021, Breasia joined Home Instead of Clearwater, an award-winning franchise owned by Julie Castle. Fewer than five months later, Director of CAREGiver Services JC Crady announced Breasia had been honored as CAREGiver of the Month for August. Breasia found Home Instead on Indeed.com during an online job search. She believes she struck gold when she hired on with Home Instead.
“I’m glad I found Home Instead. I was looking for a company that cares about its team of employees as much as its clients. For sure, Home Instead is very organized and family-oriented. That’s the type of company from which I would want to retire. I am part of a team I can call family,” Breasia said, pointing to Home Instead.
Franchise owner Julie said: “I feel honored to offer rewarding careers to CAREGivers and provide ongoing training and support to the staff, CAREGivers, clients and their families. I have found my life’s calling with Home Instead and feel honored to help seniors stay active and safe in their homes. My main goal is for Home Instead to be a valuable resource in the community.”
Before arriving at Home Instead, Breasia’s work background included a broad range of jobs.
“I’ve done a little bit of everything, from hospital housekeeping to working in a care facility for three years. That job was a great experience because I got to know the residents, actually seeing them more than my own family. It was one-of-a-kind experience, like a second family,” she said. “I had a resident for whom I cared for two years. I will never forget her. She was a very small woman with a lot of spunk, a very, very sweet woman. I had the honor of being at her 100th birthday, eating cake and listening to her stories.”
Breasia said being a professional caregiver has changed her life’s outlook on the future in terms of taking care of her own family when that time comes. “This work has mentally prepared me throughout the years. For example, I have dealt with all types of challenges that people face, including working with people who don’t have any family. I don’t want anyone to be lonely if I can help it,” she said.
Breasia is among more than 100,000 CAREGivers worldwide, and she has helped add to those numbers because of her strong belief in Home Instead’s purpose and core values. Those core values are: “Honor God in all we do; Treat each other with dignity and respect; Encourage growth in ourselves and others; Build value in our service to others.”
Our office serves all of Pinellas County, including Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Belleair, St. Petersburg, Gulfport and surrounding beaches. All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (727) 799-1400 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
