Doug Demmel, husband of award-winning Home Instead® Care Professional Karen Demmel, sparked the idea behind his wife’s venture into professional senior care 15 years ago. Since then, Karen has been a highly successful Care Pro who has been in demand. But Doug recently had to put his foot down on Karen’s extended-stay invitation to Arizona.
“My client and her husband are in Tucson for the winter. They wanted to take me with them so my client would have a companion while her husband played golf. Doug said ‘no’ to that,” Karen said with a giggle. She and Doug smiled as they thought back to 2007. Karen wanted to find another dog for their family of four after their pooch had died. Doug humorously issued an edict, “No new dog until you go back to work.”
At about the same time, Karen read a newspaper article about a Care Pro of the Month at Home Instead of Boulder, Broomfield and northwest Adams Counties, and one thing led to another. Since then, Karen hasn’t stopped helping seniors in the Flatirons area on behalf of owner Michael Lammers’ franchise, and recognition continues to come her way.
Home Instead Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Brenda Munro said: “Karen was chosen as our December’s honoree. During her 15 years with Home Instead, Karen consistently has provided excellent care for our clients. Her previous Care Pro of the Month honor came in April 2018. All in all, this might be her fourth franchise honor. She’s very humble, and taking care of seniors is more important to her than keeping track of the awards. She’s a reluctant hero, but we still believe she deserves her time in the spotlight.”
When Brenda revealed the honor, Karen was a bit astounded. “Why me? I’ve been with Home Instead all these years. Are they worried I am going to leave?” she said with a laugh. “Actually, Doug and I have talked about retirement. We are at that age, but Doug enjoys his job as an enterprise software solution sales leader, so he has decided to continue working at least another year. I will probably retire when Doug retires. Then, no more of these stories … Woo-hoo!”
Recalling her decision to apply for the Home Instead job in 2007 brought back thoughts of Karen’s late grandparents. Karen said: “One grandfather had Alzheimer’s and ended up in a nursing home where he died. But my grandmother was mentally sharp and lived to 101. Putting your compassion into action is one thing, but the job’s demands also are another thing. In that newspaper story 15 years ago, I read about Home Instead’s job flexibility. That was a good thing for my family. The bottom line is that I always have had the desire to work with people in need, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ ” Karen, a native of Kearney, Nebraska, was a medical technology graduate at Kearney State College.
Fast-forward to today. Karen’s Arizona-bound client is struggling with Alzheimer’s. Karen and the client started their days with a walk to the mailbox, then did balance exercises at the kitchen counter and finally progressed to chair exercises. Karen said: “She enjoyed the exercises most days. She knew they would help her with balance and improve her strength. We also spent time watering the client’s many plants and reading her favorite magazines. She was always a joy to be with. She was positive and easygoing most days.”
Karen pointed out she has worked recently with several wonderful clients. “All have had various levels of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Those individuals can be challenging and difficult at times, but they have taught me patience as well as grace and forgiveness. In addition to my ‘snowbird’ client, two others have made lasting impressions,” Karen said.
“One client had been a devoted nurse, and she wanted to be ‘in charge’ of all things. She struggled with COPD, heart disease, dementia, macular degeneration and hearing loss. Would she wear her glasses or hearing aids? No, because they ‘didn’t help her.’ Would she use her oxygen, there again, no. I called 911 on two occasions because she was having difficulty breathing and experienced severe chest pains. She had a cute little toy poodle I would take for a walk because my client wasn’t able to do so,” Karen said. The client’s family eventually moved their senior loved one into an assisted living facility. “She passed away about a year ago. I will always remember her spunky and stubborn can-do attitude,” Karen said.
The third memorable client, who was the CEO of a company she started, suffered from early onset Alzheimer’s. Karen explained: “She did not like the idea that her ‘old brain’ didn’t work as well any more. She was an avid biker and wanted to continue. After a serious fall put her in the hospital for a couple of weeks, her partner decided on recumbent bikes. The client and I would go for bike rides through her neighborhood. She always wanted to go by herself but couldn’t find her way home. When we went biking, she rode in front, and I followed.”
Karen added: “The client taught me to knit again. I had learned to knit years ago in Girl Scouts but hadn’t picked up knitting needles since grade school. Together we knitted scarves that the client handed out to homeless individuals on Denver street corners. We also knitted lap blankets for friends. It was such a fun way to spend a cold or rainy afternoon when we couldn’t be outside riding the bikes or going for a walk.”
Over the years, Karen has worked with so many different clients, mostly ones diagnosed with dementia. “They are not always easy to reason with and can at times be challenging. As I have mentioned, they have taught me to be patient. I have loved even the most difficult ones. As a Care Professional, I try always to be respectful and to show love to each and every one of my clients,” Karen said. “The job’s rewards are not counted monetarily. There’s a positive feeling and fulfillment.”
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.
