“I am Filipina, with a big dream.”
With seven impactful words, Wanna made a dynamic first impression on Home Instead® franchise owner Kelly Hutchison. As a result, Kelly helped Wanna take big steps toward achieving several of her goals by hiring her as a Care Professional on May 5, 2023, for his franchise in Itasca, Illinois. “Home Instead is the one who provided me with the opportunity to work here in United States,” Wanna said.
During her career in her native Philippines, Wanna worked extensively in home care and assisted living facilities. She explained: “I have assisted clients with personal care, medication management and companionship. I approach caregiving with empathy and compassion, ensuring that each client receives personalized care tailored to his or her needs. I am committed to upholding the highest care standards and am always seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge. I’m passionate about making a meaningful difference in my clients’ lives. I had looked forward to bringing my skills and dedication to the entire Home Instead team.”
Wanna’s warmest memories of her homeland include family caregiving experiences.
“In the Philippines,” Wanna said, “it is a common cultural practice that we as adult children are the ones who take good care of our parents. It is a deeply personal and meaningful responsibility. Caring for my parents was not just a duty, it was a privilege and an expression of my love and gratitude for everything they’ve done for me. I was committed to ensuring that my parents received the best care possible, honoring their sacrifices and ensuring their comfort and well-being. Caring for my parents was a way to repay them for their love, support and guidance.”
Among those family caregiving experiences, Wanna took care of her father when he had a stroke. “I helped him with his daily exercises, prepared foods, accompanied him to his medical appointments, bathed him and gave him routinary medicines. I did everything to make him comfortable for his activities of daily living.”
Those family caregiving experiences are not unlike what Wanna has done as a Home Instead Care Pro. In fact, she has consistently carried out her Home Instead client responsibilities so well that she was honored as the franchise’s Care Pro of the Month for July. Human Resources Manager Alina Merrill noted that Wanna displays Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”
Wanna pointed out: “My success is not only measured by promotions and achievements but also by the relationships I have built and the meaningful connections I have forged with those for whom I have cared. With Home Instead, succeeding at my job often involves a personal journey shaped by various factors. Those factors are qualities such as my passion for helping others, relevant skills and qualifications, and personal experiences that motivated me to enter this field.”
She added: “Looking back on my journey, I feel fulfilled because I know I have made a positive impact on the lives of my clients. I recall a particular client who initially struggled with loneliness and mobility issues. With all of my support, my client regained a sense of independence and joy in daily activities.”
Wanna will never forget Ms. J., whose situation was challenging. Among the client’s many needs, a Hoyer lift was necessary. “Despite the difficulties,” Wanna said, “my time with Ms. J. is my favorite story because I always helped her with all activities of daily living. She often gave me a hard time and became unhappy if I didn’t follow her exact instructions. When she was in a good mood, I had heart-to-heart conversations with her about her anger. I calmly explained things until she understood, and everything would be fine. Sadly, her condition worsened, and she eventually passed away. I could not help but feel a sense of loss.”
Wanna noted that many senior-care professionals find immense satisfaction knowing they are making a positive impact on someone’s life.
“Whether it’s helping clients with daily tasks, providing companionship or offering other kinds of support, we Care Pros cherish the opportunity to improve our clients’ quality of life,” Wanna said. “Developing meaningful connections with clients and their families is significant. We Care Pros appreciate the bonds we form and trust we build over time. Working for an agency such as Home Instead offers opportunities for personal and professional development. I love the chance to learn new skills, gain more experience in senior-care practices and expand my knowledge.”
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, visit our website at www.homeinstead.com/location/205.
