Shanell Strives to Build Trust With Her Clients
The cornerstone of successful senior care, Shanell Childs said, is gaining a client’s trust while working to build a relationship. The Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month said: “You naturally are a stranger to the clients when you first start with them because you are in their home and the situation doesn’t feel familiar to them. I keep a consistent flow in terms of communication. I try to assure them that everything’s going to be OK.”
Shanell added: “Above all, building the trust factor cannot be understated. You work on trust issues every day. You can have one good day, but the next day might not be the same. Sometimes you have to roll with the punches. That having been said, I have no problems. I feel I am a natural at this line of work. Most days I feel good about my job.”
Service Manager Janelle Muhlanga said Home Instead® of Philadelphia also feels good about how Shanell has excelled as a Care Pro. In fact, five months after Shanell joined Home Instead, she was rewarded as the franchise’s Care Pro of the Month for May.
Among the considerations for achieving Care Pro of the Month status, an employee has shown she has gone above and beyond the call of duty, Janelle pointed out. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Referencing the clients’ trust, Janelle said, Shanell embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”
Shanell was no newcomer to professional senior care when she joined the Home Instead franchise where Steve Levin is a co-owner and chief executive officer and Charlea Lyn Grieco is a co-owner and chief operations officer. “I had previous experience as a CNA. I’ve been in health care for more than 10 years,” Shanell explained.
“I’ve worked in many settings, such as in-home care agencies, care communities – including assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care – and wound care. Since I’ve worked in memory care, I am familiar with the challenges of dementia. With each stage of dementia, you know the changes they are going through,” Shanell said. “I was introduced to this line of work in high school and pursued it after I graduated. I’ve got a heart for taking care of people.”
Shanell also serves as a family caregiver. “I take care of my dad, who stays with me. I need a flexible schedule, and Home Instead is very flexible. There is great communication with the Home Instead staff.”
Shanell has two regular clients, and she’s happy to have consistently been with them for a while. “The office keeps me with the same clients because the familiarity is a good thing for seniors,” Shanell said. “Getting to know them is essential, since every client is different. I’ve interacted with clients by conversing with them, using coloring books, playing puzzles and enjoying a television show with them.”
When thinking about her future, Shanell said: “Home Instead is a good place. In fact, Home Instead is the best home-care employer I’ve been with. At some point, I’d like to be a nurse. I feel good about my life’s plan right now.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (215) 925-4610 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
