As Ester Ajileye was being honored for the second time as a CAREGiver of the Month for owner Greg Gomez-Mira's award-winning Home Instead Senior Care® franchise in Houston, Ester shifted the spotlight from herself to a special client.
Ester said: "I want to dedicate this award to the late Ms. Helen. She was the best client I ever worked for. She motivated me – and continues to motivate me in spirit – to aim higher and set a goal for myself. Her death shocked me. May her soul rest in peace. I'll never forget Ms. Helen."
According to the 95-year-old client's July 12 obituary, Helen was an outgoing, vivacious person who not only impacted Ester, but many others in her Missouri City neighborhood. An excerpt from the obituary read: "To her neighbors, mailman, yard man, nurses, CAREGivers and others, Helen was known as 'Granny' of Lexington Point and for over 30 years was often in front of her home to carry on a conversation with all of them." Ester was a recipient of Helen's love, which she spread abundantly.
For the opportunity to serve Helen and other clients, Ester said: "First of all, I'd like to thank the wonderful Home Instead Senior Care staff. They are the reason I'm still working for Home Instead. I've also had the honor to work for great clients like Ms. Katie and Ms. Julia in December 2019 and from July to September in 2020."
Ester added: "My experience helps me in caring for Ms. Julia. To God be the glory – she recovered quickly. I also want to thank those clients for treating me like their family. I would like to say my studies and work are the challenges I am facing. It is not easy. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, I heard about the virus in February when I traveled in Washington, D.C. So, when I came back, I started wearing my mask and stay home when I don't have to work. That is out of abundant caution and consideration of my clients with the aim of keeping them safe."
Ester was first honored as a CAREGiver of the Month in May 2017. When she moved to Houston in 2015, she shifted careers. The graduate of the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, who earned a bachelor's degree in French linguistics, always had been a people person. Ester can fluently converse in English, Hindi, French and Arabic.
She had served for five years as a detective and safety officer for a multinational company, where Ester was praised for being a hard-working, diligent professional. In Houston, where she was reunited with several family members, Ester found senior care. She worked first at a seniors' group home and then as a CAREGiver at Home Instead Senior Care.
"I started with Home Instead Senior Care in mid-October of 2016," Ester recounted, "after a friend referred me to the company. I had gone back to school and had my weekends open, so working for Home Instead Senior Care at those times was a good opportunity. This is a most interesting kind of work, one on one with someone. The Home Instead training was good and very useful, but it was mostly a review because I had gained senior-care experience and a CNA license before I joined Home Instead. I have learned a lot about dementia care, and I try to maintain the ongoing training with Home Instead, which is good."
Ester doesn't anticipate an end to her service to others. "I would predict a positive bright future by the grace of God. Thank you to all the professional and caring staff members at Home Instead Senior Care," Ester said.
Home Instead CAREGivers, who are screened, trained, bonded and insured, provide a variety of services to help keep seniors independent. For inquiries about employment with Home Instead Senior Care, please call (713) 955-1909, email Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Margi Kenny at margi.kenny@homeinstead.com or fill in the email prompts at https://www.homeinstead.com/541/home-care-jobs, where there is an online application. For further information about the company, including Home Instead's services, please go to its website at https://www.homeinstead.com/541/home-instead-senior-care. Our Home Instead Senior Care franchise serves Houston, Arcola, Bellaire, First Colony, Fresno, Greatwood, Iowa Colony, Lake Olympia, Meyer Park, Meyerland, Missouri City, Pearland, Quail Valley, Riverstone, Rosharon, Shadow Creek Ranch, Sienna Plantation, Stafford, Sugar Land, Sunnyside, Sweetwater, Thompsons and Westbury.
