Home Instead® Care Professionals have huge hearts … and widely diverse backgrounds. At Home Instead of Collin County in Plano, Texas, at least two Care Pros had retired from business-world careers and then “unretired” to work with seniors on behalf of owner Todd Felker’s award-winning franchise.
Care Pro Cathy joined Home Instead after leaving a successful career in finance and mortgage, and her Home Instead clients thank their lucky stars that Cathy saw her retirement as an avenue to a compassionate line of work. “When I retired, I was not thinking about sitting around in a rocking chair. I wanted to give back to others and help people who are in need,” said Cathy, who also pointed out: “I have loved working with people over the years. I’ve done lots of volunteer work, including Meals on Wheels, the Scottish Rite for Children, food pantries and more. When I saw a TV commercial for Home Instead, I said to myself, ‘That’s who I want to work for.’ ”
One of Cathy’s Home Instead co-workers, Deneise, had retired twice from banking management positions. Deneise, a deeply spiritual person, didn’t want to work with Excel spreadsheets any longer. She wanted to put her God-given caregiving skills to use. Deneise further explained: “Before I was hired, I spoke with Todd. I like the way he runs the company. I knew this is where I was supposed to be. Since I joined Home Instead, five or six other companies have called me and offered me jobs. I wanted to stay with Home Instead because I felt I was meant to be here.”
Todd said: “We find many people like Cathy and Deneise, who have opted to ‘unretire,’ or return to work, perhaps in part-time roles, after their initial retirements. According to research conducted by the Home Instead corporate office, 53 percent of those soon to be retiring believed they were likely to return to work after retirement. Home Instead’s ‘UnRetire Yourself’ program encourages those people to combine their passions and experience to identify fulfilling post-retirement employment, including professional caregiving.”
Deneise joined Home Instead in 2021. “When I decided to enter professional caregiving, I prayed about it. I had done extensive family caregiving earlier in my life. I did internet searches and called companies. I checked out a couple of them. Home Instead was the best,” she said.
Other Care Pros have praised their Home Instead experience.
- Fifi said: “I first saw Home Instead on a TV commercial. Home Instead offered me the schedule and hours I wanted, so I started to work.” Fifi praised Home Instead staff, saying: “The staff is very professional, understanding, flexible and organized.”
- Kathy’s mother alerted her to Home Instead nine years ago. “My mother lives in Wichita Falls. One of her neighbors had Home Instead for assistance,” Kathy explained. “My Home Instead experience of nine years has been good. Everyone with whom I work is good. I love my clients. I will keep going as long as I can. As long as I am strong and good at what I do, I plan to serve.”
- Tasha said. “It’s been my pleasure to work for Home Instead. The office staff and our franchise owner, Todd, are very nice and care deeply about the Care Pros. I like the fact that I can make my own schedule. The Home Instead staff cares about us Care Pros, including our concerns and well-being.”
- Bernadette said: “I would never have guessed I’d be doing something like this as a professional, but here I am by the grace of God. Taking care of my daughter after a horrific medical challenge was quite an experience. I learned what had to be done for my daughter, and hers was an extreme case. I knew I could be a Care Pro when I applied.”
- Vanesa said: “What I like about my job is I become part of the client’s family. Over time, I build a strong connection between myself and the client, becoming part of the client’s everyday life. Once I enter through the doors, I see a big smile on that person’s face.”
- After more than 25 years, Yolie’s previous longtime job was outsourced, and her position was unceremoniously eliminated. “God closed one door and opened another when I found this job with Home Instead,” she said.
For Yolie and her fellow Care Pros, touching lives impacts their souls, whether they are providing physical help such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders or personal care or if they are offering emotional support in a companionship role. “I love the people I serve, and I love their families. I also love learning about who they are and where they came from. Their lives’ journeys are intriguing to me. I feel honored to be able to serve others. I am truly blessed and grateful for this job. It is personal to me and an extension of who I am when I care for someone,” Yolie said.
Yolie loves being a part of the Care Pro team for the Collin County 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 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.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (469) 916-9202 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website at www.homeinstead.com/location/278
