Donna Segars’ work life first was dominated by computers, and she described her highly successful career in detail: “In the early years, I made sure computers remained up and running, and I provided technical support to employees and customers. That support included system administration, software development, quality assurance, and hardware and software support.”
At one point, Donna shifted into positions that combined her strong people skills with her computer knowledge. “I worked with technical leads to understand problems, to determine the requirements for possible solutions and to write justifications for funding. Then, I would purchase hardware and software, track deliveries and manage the life cycles of assets purchased,” Donna said. “Basically, my technical jobs were service-oriented. I enjoy listening to people, learning their priorities and challenges and then working with them to determine if I could help with their situations.”
Then came retirement from the technical world of computers. That life-changing move was followed by a re-entry into the work world with owner Michael Lammers’ award-winning Home Instead® franchise of Boulder, Broomfield and northwest Adams Counties. Donna pointed out: “As a Care Professional, I continue to practice my technical support skills from my computer-related career, where I worked closely with people in a kind, measured way to find solutions.”
Michael said: “We love to hire compassionate people like Donna, who has opted to ‘unretire,’ or return to work. Those who ‘unretire’ sometimes choose 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.”
Donna joined Home Instead on Sept. 6, 2023. Before she became a Care Pro, she received a taste of caregiving. “A couple of years ago, I assisted a friend who was housebound. This experience was a revisit of the idea that I liked being able to assist. My friend was very complimentary, and she said she appreciated that I understood when she needed help and when she could do things on her own. Sometimes, it’s a balance to realize when to help and how much a person can safely assist themselves. When I talked with other friends about my idea of considering a job as a Care Pro, they also provided positive feedback and encouragement,” Donna said.
Donna has served as a family caregiver.
“A few years ago,” Donna recalled, “my father faced the overwhelming task of processing the sale of the farm and land where he was born, grew up and his parents lived until they passed away. When he requested my help, the sale was already in progress, and it became clear that my father’s ability to focus and organize his thoughts on a particular task or question from the lawyer was failing.”
Donna flew to Georgia and moved in with her dad for three months to assist him not only with the sale of the farm, which is located about an hour away from her dad’s house, but also to assist him with caregiving tasks as they arose.
“Dad asked me to communicate with his lawyer regarding the sale. After the lawyer spent an hour with me to review the closing papers, he expressed a great appreciation for my help and stated that this review would likely have taken at least another two hours if I were not there to assist my dad with the details and terminology,” Donna said.
Even though the sale was completed within a couple of weeks after Donna arrived, she stayed and continued to assist her dad at his house.
“And even though I noticed a few times where Dad seemed unable to organize his thoughts, I will always cherish those three months with him,” Donna said. “I went through papers and pictures and found letters that Dad wrote to his parents when he was in the Navy on a ship. Dad shared stories about growing up on the farm, his college days and his days in the Navy that I had not heard before.”
Donna added: “I was able to assist Dad with his holiday shopping, and we enjoyed spending the holidays with Dad’s girlfriend and her family. My dad resides now in an assisted living facility near my sister, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
With Home Instead, Donna assists her clients just as if they were her family members. She was honored as a Care Pro of the Month just 11 months after she joined the franchise. Donna loves being a part of the Care Pro team for the Colorado 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.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (720) 890-0184 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
