When Home Instead Care Professional of the Month Sabryna Longoria begins each shift, it’s hard for her not to think about her late grandmother, who passed away 22 months ago. Sabryna explained: “Once my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer at an advanced stage, then her time was limited. I helped her around the house with her daily activities of living, such as cooking and house cleaning.”
Reflecting on the emotional side of her relationship with her grandmother, Sabryna said: “Of course, I spent time with her while admiring the sunsets. Sometimes we would go out to eat and do some grocery shopping. We always had a great time together! I loved her so much!”
Sabryna knows companionship and empathy are big components to senior care. She has possessed those personality traits her entire life. “It feels natural to help others while at the same time I am making them happy by supporting them and giving them courage to feel better. I love to cheer up people even when they don’t believe in themselves. Overall, I really like my job because I feel fulfillment from helping others in need. I have always felt that way.”
Sabryna joined Home Instead in March 2023 following a recommendation from one of her mother’s longtime friends. “Once I started working for Home Instead, I realized how much I enjoyed helping others with their daily activities. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to meet so many people who needed help from a senior-care professional. So far, I can say that since I started working for Home Instead, it has been a really nice environment, one in which we all help each other,” Sabryna said.
Working at other jobs, Sabryna said, didn’t necessarily engender a professional feel. She simply tried to do the best that she could. “That’s what I can say I do now. That is true when I attempt to make my clients as comfortable as possible. That’s one of my priorities, to make them feel as though someone cares for them. I want the best for them, but they don’t feel pressure from me to do this thing or that thing. I love spending time with all of my clients. Even though there has been one challenging client so far, I always do my best to be reasonable and understanding. The bottom line is to ensure their safety,” Sabryna pointed out.
One of Sabryna’s favorite client stories centers on Mrs. A., who fell about three weeks ago and suffered injuries that continue to cause pain even with a very little movement. Sabryna said: “I could feel the pain just by watching her. Thank God she is much better, has improved her walking skills and also getting up from bed.”
The client didn’t think she was capable of taking even one of the steps during her physical therapy session at the hospital. But she did make three steps up and three down with difficulty. Her speed walking also is much better than last time. It is even better than the average, according to her physical therapist. Sabryna observed: “It has been over a week since she first tried PT, and now she goes like nothing can stop her. Every time she had a physical therapy session, I tried my best to make her feel great by encouraging and cheering her to do her best. I always bring a big and bright smile, and I point out she is capable of doing things on her own.”
Services Coordinator Kimberly Hart announced Sabryna’s Care Pro of the Month award. Among the considerations for achieving the honored employee status, a Care Pro has shown she has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Sabryna embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”
At our award-winning Home Instead franchise, owned by Pietro Jordao and Dillon Rice, Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (512) 361-2359 or apply online at https://www.homeinstead.com/location/496/home-care-jobs/. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website at https://www.homeinstead.com/location/496/. Home Instead of Austin and Westlake Hills serves these other Texas cities: Barton Hills, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Buda, Cedar Creek, Circle C Ranch, Del Valle, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Kyle, Lakeway, Manchaca, Manor, Onion Creek, San Marco, Spicewood and Wimberley.
