Memories of Her Grandmother Inspire Tyneisha to Help Others
The images of her grandmother’s challenges are forever engrained in Tyneisha Burton’s compassionate heart. For that important reason, Tyneisha became a CNA, later joined the award-winning Home Instead® franchise of Philadelphia and was honored as a CAREGiver of the Month. By taking action on what she can change, Tyneisha has made a difference in society.
“I had helped care for my grandmother as a family caregiver until she went to a nursing home. That was a family decision because it was the best option for all of the things she needed,” Tyneisha explained. “I saw the difficulties and amount of help my grandmother needed to remain in her home safely. When she received quality personalized care from us and others, it made me want to help other senior citizens be able to stay at home.”
Tyneisha added: “I took a CNA class in April 2019 and after hearing more about some of the challenges that the staff and nursing-home residents faced – and actually witnessing them – it became important to me to help as many people as I could so they could stay at home and get quality care while also receiving comfort and providing a peace of mind to their loved ones.”
Tyneisha found Home Instead during an internet job search for a home-care agency position. She originally spoke with a different Home Instead franchise but was told to contact franchise owner Steve Levin’s center city office because of Tyneisha’s limited accessibility to transportation.
“In terms of total service,” Tyneisha said, “I have been a CAREGiver a little more than two years. I joined Home Instead in July 2019, but I had to take some time off to deal with family issues. I came back in June 2020.”
Tyneisha was welcomed back with open arms. In addition to her strong companionship skills, Tyneisha provides safety assurance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and errands. She offers personal assistance with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, incontinence care, cognitive impairment, hospice support and mobility assistance. By expertly doing so, Tyneisha and her fellow CAREGivers not only assist their clients, but help their families eliminate worry, reduce stress and re-establish personal freedom.
Among the considerations for achieving CAREGiver of the Month status, an employee has shown he or she has gone above and beyond the call of duty, General Manager Charlea Lyn Grieco pointed out. Empathy and compassion are taken into account for the award, as well as skill and wisdom for dealing with challenging situations. Tyneisha embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.” Tyneisha is someone who is exceptional at her work with any client, Charlea emphasized.
Tyneisha loves the relationships she develops with her clients and their families. “When my clients smile or brighten up when they see me and tell me they are glad I’m there,” Tyneisha said, “it warms my heart. I learn from my clients, including stories that show their knowledge, wisdom and depth of character. This is a journey for me. Along the way, I’ve changed and grown over the years through the various experiences I’ve had with clients.”
While Tyneisha learns something from each client, she said she will forever be changed by three clients in particular. “I grew very close to them and their families,” Tyneisha pointed out.
“After becoming a Home Instead CAREGiver, my very first client was so kind and made my transition into professional caregiving so easy for me. She was patient with me and my nervousness, and she would sit and talk with me over dinner or breakfast about being confident and trusting myself. She said I needed to realize I was doing a good job. Now, that’s a very special person, someone who believed in me and my purpose.”
Not every day is sunshine and rainbows, and Tyneisha appreciates the challenges. For instance, she cared for an unforgettable woman who had an altogether different personality than her first encouraging client. Though no fault of her own, there was a slow start and learning curve for Tyneisha, who said: “She was so standoffish at first, but I stayed patient with her, and she and her daughter became like family to me.”
Tyneisha added: “And last, but definitely not least, a man for whom I cared was on hospice. I cared for him until his last day alive, and I have been forever changed by him and that experience. It was humbling and fulfilling.”
All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (215) 925-4610 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
