Jamie Feels Honored to Help in Every Possible Way
Senior care can be challenging, even humbling. But twice-honored Home Instead® CAREGiver of the Month Jamie doesn’t see her work that way. She takes a faith-based eternal view of what she does for those who can no longer help themselves.
Jamie explained, “As I reflected back through the past year, two very special seniors came to mind. These two ladies have now passed on, and I can only hope to see them one day in heaven.”
Referring to their personal care, Jamie added: “As I attended to their daily needs, during their bed baths, I would full-on picture myself as a servant and washing the feet of Jesus. I always smiled during that duty.”
Jamie draws on her spiritual beliefs as she helps others, and her reference to bed baths and feet washing was drawn from the Bible in the gospel of John, where Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an example of humility and compassion and asked them to do the same for others. Speaking to those men, Jesus said in John 13:17: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
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 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 32 years and two adult children.
While there is a serious side to what Jamie does, she also looks for the opportunity to have fun with her seniors when the situations call for it.
A little more than two years ago, one client “rocked out” to goldie oldies music from the Big Band/Swing era and vocal-driven classic pop as Jamie assisted her with her hair. “She was my very first client. She loved to listen to 1940s and 1950s music every time I helped wash her hair. I loved to see her smile as we listened to the music and as she saw the final result,” said Jamie, who assists seniors on behalf of owner Glenna Yaroch’s award-winning franchise that serves North Oakland County, including Waterford.
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 second CAREGiver of the Month honor was announced by General Manager Gail M. Wilk. Jamie previously was honored as the franchise’s CAREGiver of the Month in April 2021.
Jamie said: “It is really hard for me to toot my own horn. I just try to do what is needed for the clients. I currently take care of four seniors in a week’s time, and I treat each one with dignity and respect.”
In addition to her personal-care and companionship skills, Jamie provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. Jamie offers assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, dementia support, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility. By doing so, Jamie and other CAREGivers not only assist their clients, but help their families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.
“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.
Jamie is among more than 100,000 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.
