As the threat of COVID-19 began to subside, Elizabeth “Izzy” Sutton was ready to leave Arkansas and move to Colorado where she could be closer to family. Since Izzy had enjoyed “a great experience” earlier in life as a Home Instead® Care Professional in Fremont, Nebraska, she looked for a Home Instead office in the Flatirons region of the Front Range. In Louisville, Colorado, Michael Lammers owns the award-winning Home Instead franchise that serves Boulder, Broomfield and northwest Adams Counties.
“Before moving to Colorado last year, I had seen there was a location in Louisville not far from where I wanted to live, so it was a no-brainer to return to Home Instead. I have absolutely loved it. I’ve been with the Louisville franchise since February 2022, but I had been in contact with them before moving. They helped every step of the way, making sure my family was comfortable with this big move,” Izzy said. “I had made it a goal to get closer to family and build a better life for my four children and myself. My family is thriving.”
Izzy’s friends and family believe her drive to succeed is huge. Izzy’s Home Instead clients and their family members have been amazed by her compassion and skill, and they passed along their compliments to the Home Instead staff. As a result, she has been honored as her franchise’s Care Pro of the Month. While announcing Izzy’s honor, Home Instead Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Brenda Munro said: “Izzy has been a rock star since day one last February.”
Brenda added: “Izzy works mainly with our higher-need clients and is such a hard worker. She will always take fill-in shifts when we need her, even working overtime and somehow also juggling the responsibilities of being a mom of four little ones. I am not sure where she finds the energy, but we are so grateful to have Izzy!”
Izzy earned her CNA in 2015 and immediately embarked on a home-health career. “It brings me joy to help others. I’ve always loved working in home health,” she said. “I love my line of work so much that I recently decided to further my education and start the process of becoming an RN next year while still working with Home Instead. I love being able to help clients stay in their own comfort zones and keeping them safe and happy.”
Izzy was a family caregiver before she entered the profession. She is the oldest of six and always helped her siblings as they were growing up. Izzy also helped with her great-grandmother’s care when it was possible. Her great-grandmother resided in an assisted living community before she passed away. Because of the challenge of raising four children, Izzy has sometimes been a stay-at-home mother.
“My favorite aspect of being a Home Instead Care Pro is helping clients and their families stay safe, heard and supported. By saying ‘heard,’ I mean being empathetic and also listening closely to them. I love building lasting relationships as if they were my own family. When I see my clients happy and thriving, it makes my heart so happy and gives me so much peace,” Izzy said.
She recently lost a client, an inevitable drawback to any Care Pro’s job. But Izzy felt fulfilled to play a comforting role in the client’s life. “I want to make sure every client and his or her family experiences life with the dignity I would want for myself or my own family,” she said.
“My heart is sad to lose this client. At the same time, I’m so happy she passed away with dignity, with family near and in the way she had envisioned. I’m proud I was able to be a part of that. I fondly look back at all the fun times we shared. We did puzzles, and ate and cooked together as I helped her feel her best. Since she had a sassy personality, I’d have to say that was another thing we had in common. She was a strong, independent woman. I understood that and strived to help her keep that feeling every day. She and her family are close to my heart,” Izzy said.
Izzy also said the Home Instead management is close to her heart. “I feel as though I have a great support system behind me – a second family – and have met some amazing people along the way who truly care. The Home Instead staff has been extremely patient, helped me navigate the move and helped set me up for success right away. How many people can honestly say that about their jobs? I can honestly say I love my job.”
Izzy added: “I pour my heart into this career, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is my life’s calling.”
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.
