Evelyn has a huge heart for helping people – young or old – but she was honest about taking a Home Instead® Care Professional position five years ago. “At first,” Evelyn said, “I was not sure about this kind of job. But I kept an open mind and, as time went on, I could see I was making a difference by taking care of the elderly who need help.”
Evelyn added: “There are seniors who need lots of help, especially those who cannot walk on their own, change their clothes or are bedridden. Some are just able to sit in their chairs and do little else because of their health challenges. I decided to stay with this job because I liked it. I enjoyed helping others. Also, it is my dream to become a nurse.”
In 2019, Evelyn heard about owner Kelly Hutchison’s award-winning Home Instead franchise in Itasca, Illinois, from a friend. Evelyn revealed: “I decided to try to do something new in my life.” Previously as a private-duty caregiving professional in Florida, Evelyn spent 10 years with a family. “I took care of the family’s three children and also grandchildren,” Evelyn recalled.
As a family caregiver, Emily previously had taken care of her parents. “But I had moved so far away from them that I could not take care of them any longer. They passed away 15 years ago. My heart aches because I miss them. However, by taking care of elderly men and women who seek help from Home Instead, it feels as if I am taking care of my parents,” Evelyn said.
Evelyn has done such a good job by building trust, taking the lead and sharing her heart with clients that Home Instead Human Resources Manager Alina Merrill announced that she was selected as the franchise’s Care Pro of the Month for January.
“I like all of my clients, and it was an especially new experience when I was starting. The clients have all kinds of different attitudes, but I love all of my clients. They are all very special to me. It bears repeating that I feel like I’m taking care of my parents,” Evelyn said.
“There is an 88-year-old client who is so sweet. There is a 90-year-old client who rises very early in the morning and sometimes is unhappy because he did not sleep well. Another client is 87, and she often wants to go outside because she doesn’t want to stay home. There is a client who likes to talk to me the whole day and ask questions.”
Evelyn loves being a part of her Care Pro team at the Itasca franchise, a member of Home Instead, Inc. With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Home Instead is revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and Care Pros. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Pros across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide. The Itasca office serves the Chicagoland cities of Elk Grove Village, Addison, Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Elk Grove, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Medinah, Mt. Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg, Streamwood, and Wood Dale.
Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (847) 690-9825 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead services, visit our website.
