Long before Care Professional of the Month Jan Cathey joined Home Instead® of Boulder, Broomfield and northwest Adams Counties, Jan already had successfully handled the challenges of three difficult home-care situations after taking the initiative as an unpaid caregiver. “I never previously worked as a professional caregiver before I joined Home Instead,” the New Mexico native said, “but I have a lot of hands-on experience.”
In Jan’s first challenge, her next-door neighbor was diagnosed with cancer and was bedfast for more than six months before she passed away. The neighbor’s 75-year-old husband was her primary caregiver, and Jan helped him. More than just neighbors, the couple were Jan’s good friends. “Besides taking lots of food over at least three days a week,” Jan recalled, “I would tell the husband to take a break for the day, and I would completely take care of his wife.”
Jan added: “I provided personal care, including bathing and toileting, as well as feeding her, reading to her and loving on her until he returned in the evening. He was so appreciative. It was not always easy, but I wanted to do it for him as well as her, and it was a blessing to help them because I cared so much.”
A bigger challenge arose after Jan’s best friend, Debbie, a middle-school science teacher, took early retirement and moved from New Mexico to Colorado to be with family, including a new grandchild. Having lived in Colorado for two years, Debbie suffered a devastating stroke and then a heart attack that left her with paralysis on her right side and in a wheelchair. Debbie’s health continued to spiral, and she eventually was placed on hospice while residing in a nursing home. Jan received permission from Debbie’s family to bring her friend back to New Mexico and take care of her in Jan’s home.
With the helpful direction of a home-care agency’s nurse, Jan dived into a complicated 24/7 care situation and came out as a winner one year later. “She was able to go home to Denver, and she moved into assisted living, not a nursing home. I had my best friend for another 10 good years, and it was such a joy,” said Jan, who moved to Colorado in 2015 from Roswell, New Mexico, where she was born and raised. Jan’s husband was a dentist, and they had two children.
Jan later served as her mother’s family caregiver. “She came to live with me because she was developing dementia. She stayed with me for more than a year before I finally lost her. Caring for her was a privilege and a blessing, and I still miss her every day of my life,” Jan said.
Fast-forward to last March, when Jan came to Home Instead at the suggestion of a close friend who has been a Care Pro for several years. Jan explained: “My friend had been talking about how much she loved working with her clients. During the conversation, I asked her if she thought I could do what she did. She laughed and told me she thought I would be a perfect fit, a natural. After a little more thought, I made an appointment and applied. I was very excited when I was hired immediately.”
Jan also was immediately a hit with clients, their families and the Home Instead franchise. Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Brenda Munro said: “Jan has been with us 90 days and completely embodies all of the qualities of an amazing Care Pro.”
Client Care Coordinator Kelli Giltner said: “Jan is a perfect example of a Care Pro of the Month. She encountered some frustrating challenges with a cantankerous gentleman when she began assisting him and his wife. Jan asked questions and listened to answers and ideas. She also participated in all of our training sessions and gave the client a chance. She now loves them and would do anything for either one of them. They adore her.”
Jan pointed out that what she likes most about her job as a Care Pro is “being part of a team that obviously cares about its clients and also cares about each individual Care Pro as well.” She added: “The office members are always there to answer questions, listen, consult and encourage us Care Pros. I always look forward to going into our office because I know I will be met with an immediate smile at the door and then hugs and more hugs. They are all just the greatest!”
Jan’s favorite client story makes her laugh whenever she thinks about it. The client needs additional care because of worsening dementia. “One day,” Jan explained, “this precious lady got my keys out of my purse and wanted to know what they were for. I said, ‘Those are my car keys, and we need to put them back because if they got lost, I wouldn’t be able to go home.’ She immediately held the keys above her head and said, ‘Then you’ll stay with me forever!’ and she started loudly singing ‘God bless America’ as she waved the keys back and forth.”
Putting her job in perspective, Jan said: “I’ve always envied people who have been given talents such as beautiful singing voices, artistic abilities and other creative bents. There are some people who can do anything. So, I wondered what talent or gift I could possibly have that I hadn’t found. Since working with Home Instead and now looking back, I think I’m just a born nurturer and never realized until now what a gift that is. I love my job, and I am very blessed.”
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.
