Jamie, First Client Enjoyed Hair-Raising Tunes
About 15 months ago, CAREGiver℠ of the Month Jamie’s client “rocked out” to golden oldies music from the Big Band/Swing era and vocal-driven classic pop while Jamie assisted the client with her hair.
“She was my very first client,” said Jamie, who assists seniors on behalf of owner Glenna Yaroch’s award-winning Home Instead® franchise that serves North Oakland County, including Waterford, Clarkston, West Bloomfield and 15 other communities.
“She was someone who loved to listen to 1940s and 1950s music every time I helped wash her hair. I loved to see the smile she had on her face as we listened to the music and as she saw the final result.”
Among her favorite memories of working with clients, Jamie pointed out that such times are never-forgotten episodes. “The thing I enjoy most about Home Instead is the social interaction I have with the clients and their families with whom I work,” said Jamie, whose CAREGiver of the Month honor was announced by General Manager Gail M. Wilk.
Gail said: “Jamie is among the group of three CAREGivers we recently honored, and I love them. They are seasoned CAREGivers and our silent heroes. They are loved by their clients, go to work and help when needed. There is never an issue with them. They care for their clients and always go the extra mile.”
Jamie humbly said: “It is really hard for me to toot my own horn. I just try to do what is needed for the clients.”
In addition to her strong companionship skills, Jamie provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Jamie offers personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, dementia support, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By expertly doing so, CAREGivers not only assist their clients, but help their families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom. Jamie carries out her responsibilities with aplomb.
“I found my career at Home Instead on the internet. Before that, I would frequently pass by the Home Instead office and would wonder about it,” said Jamie, referring to the distinctive red brick and white frame Home Instead franchise office at 5758 Cooley Lake Road in Waterford.
Referring to her life’s work of compassion and servanthood, Jamie said: “Previously, I was a special-needs paraprofessional who worked with children and young adults. In the past, as a faith-based volunteer, I worked with the “Senior Saints” fellowship group at our church, organizing social events as well as assisting disabled family members.” Jamie’s family caregiving experiences include helping her husband of 31 years and two adult children.
For Jamie, touching lives impacts her soul, whether she is providing physical help such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders or personal care or if she is offering emotional support in a companionship role.
Jamie loves being a part of the CAREGiver team for the Michigan franchise, a member of a highly successful network founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Paul and Lori Hogan. The Home Instead network is the world’s leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 80 million hours of care annually throughout the U.S. and 13 other countries.
Jamie is among more than 90,000 CAREGivers, and she has helped add to those numbers because of her strong belief in Home Instead’s purpose. It isn’t hard to see Jamie lives the Home Instead® principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”
All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (248) 886-7300 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
