Juanita Joined Home Instead to Help a Friend
Juanita Garcia did not pursue a Home Instead CAREGiver position at the award-winning Lubbock franchise for one of the usual reasons. She was trying to help an elderly friend.
The origin of Juanita’s Home Instead story began more than six years ago, when she worked for her friend as a house cleaner. One day, after noting the elderly man’s declining condition, family members asked Juanita if he should be moved to an assisted living facility. They deeply valued Juanita’s opinion because she’d worked in an assisted-living facility for eight years, and Juanita also had grown close to their senior loved one. She was familiar with his personality and capabilities.
“Knowing him for years, I suggested they should consider a home-health agency instead of a facility because he was a free-spirited man. As an assisted-living employee, I knew that probably wouldn’t be a good situation for him. I cared so much for him, and I also felt it was time for a job change, so I offered to apply at Home Instead in order to continue to help him,” Juanita recalled.
Mission accomplished.
Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Juanita Camacho said: “Five years ago, Juanita joined our CAREGiver team to help a friend. She had no idea it would be a long-term journey. Juanita truly enjoys caring for others and decided to stay after her friend went to his heavenly home. Juanita spreads words of warmth, and her smile lets our clients know she genuinely cares. Juanita embraces the needs of the client and goes above and beyond to make a difference in their lives.”
Noting she joined Home Instead in April 2016, Juanita Garcia said: “In the new chapter of my life, I began working for Home Instead. I assisted my friend on behalf of Home Instead until the day he passed away. When he died, I cried. I told myself, ‘No more,’ but destiny had another plan for me. I continued because other seniors needed help. I am glad I stayed.”
Juanita Garcia added: “What I most like about my job is I am helping the seniors, meeting their needs and making their lives easier. They have so many stories about life, describing what they have gone through, that it is amazing. Of course, my favorite client was 99 when he passed away. He was a very sweet, tall man. He was a free spirit. He was so gentle and so loving.”
Explaining further, Juanita Garcia said: “When the client and I sat down to watch ‘Bonanza’ on television, he would turn around and look at me with a big smile. He knew everything was going to be OK because I was there with him. He enjoyed deviled eggs and chocolate milk. When I would order his groceries, I had to make sure there were plenty of his favorites in the store, where they would put them aside for us.”
While Juanita Garcia’s Home Instead journey began with the intention of helping only one friend, it blossomed into quite a trek in which other seniors have been blessed. When told she was being honored as a CAREGiver of the Month, the unassuming Juanita Garcia was surprised. Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Juanita Camacho said: “Juanita is very humble. I don’t think she realizes what a blessing she is to so many people.”
All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (806) 281-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
