Cheryl Always Is Ready to Help ‘Just in Case’
Many seniors want to remain independent and don’t want people to fuss over them. For those Home Instead® clients, CAREGiver of the Month Cheryl Clark introduced her “Just in Case” justification for being available to help.
Cheryl explained: “When one client learned someone would be staying overnight with her, she wasn’t too enthused about it. She wasn’t upset though, quite the contrary. She thought it was funny, because she said, ‘Well, I don’t know what they’re going to do besides watch me sleep!’ It sounded exactly like something my grandmother would say, so I couldn’t help but giggle. I simply reassured her and said it was for the best to ensure she didn’t have any sort of mishaps during the night. ‘Just in case” is definitely one of the most important parts of our job,’ I told her as we laughed. She seemed to be more at ease with it then.”
Cheryl’s ability to empathize with clients, win their hearts and find the best ways to serve them, including the “Just in Case” justification, is one of the reasons she was honored as the January 2021 CAREGiver of the Month for Home Instead of Jackson, an award-winning franchise owned by Bryson and Linda McQuiston.
Home Instead Operations Manager Mike Murphy said: “Cheryl has been a CAREGiver since August 2020. She has a humble, quiet strength about her that helps her clients feel as though they can really trust her. Cheryl builds trust by really learning her clients. She never oversteps. She fits right in to their routine and lets her actions do the talking. Cheryl takes the lead by learning the client’s needs, and proactively searching for solutions. She shares her heart by caring with honesty, integrity and class. I’m grateful we have Cheryl on our team.”
Recalling her job-hunting journey before she joined Home Instead, Cheryl said: “It had been a year and a half after my double reconstruction surgeries on my legs and feet when I began searching for a job since my previous position had been filled. COVID-19 rocked the world, which made me feel as if there was little hope of finding stable employment. I was nearly healed physically, yet I felt as if I had no real direction. I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. Being a 33-year-old single mother of a teenager, I was very worried about my situation.”
Working with seniors, Cheryl pointed out, is something with which she always has been comfortable. She noted that it is almost as if senior care has been second nature. “That was definitely the motivating factor to apply. I lend an ear and a helping hand wherever and whenever needed, because these people have lived full lives and are in need of rest and care. Most of all, seniors deserve helpers who are empathetic and attentive,” Cheryl said.
“Ever since I reached adulthood, I’ve always been telling my parents that no matter what happens, I’d take care of them, just like they took care of me for so many years. That’s how I view this position – these folks are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles -- a relative in some fashion. Truly, they are or have been someone’s family member, so I put myself in a loved one’s position with every single person for whom I’m caring. I try my utmost to be there for them as if they’re my own family.”
Before joining Home Instead, Cheryl didn’t have an extensive caregiving background.
“The exception was taking care of my grandmother in the few months she lived with us before she passed. I knew caregiving would be suitable because others always said I had a gift for making conversation with people from all walks of life, and that my understanding and kind nature would serve seniors especially well. Being able to relate to them is vital in our position,” Cheryl said. “I love the fact that helping people is our main motivation at Home Instead, because simply being there for each other is what we need more of in this life. Since it is my job, it is humbling and also makes me eternally grateful to be a part of people’s lives in such an unusual way. We become close with them, bonds form and trust is earned. It really is special.
In the short time she’s been a CAREGiver, Cheryl said there’ve been many funny and sweet stories she could tell. “One of my most recent stories would be about a client who lives close by. She is a sweet widow who lives alone and receives routine visits from her children. “The first time I stayed with her,” Cheryl said, “I was on my way out the door when she told me just how much she appreciated me and that she hoped her next helper would be as pleasant as I was. That made me feel good, because I view my position as an honor and a privilege.”
Seniors have different perspectives than the generations who have followed them because of their unique experiences. “The clients have seen so many significant moments in history – heartbreaking moments and uplifting moments – moments that only their generation has witnessed. They’ve faced trials to which we are privy only through their storytelling. We still have so much to learn from them, and being with Home Instead, I intend to learn as much as I can while serving seniors with the best care they have most certainly earned,” Cheryl said.
Service Coordinator John Simpson said the Home Instead staff members feel fortunate to have a CAREGiver such as Cheryl. “She is an outstanding CAREGiver who takes exceptional care of our clients day in and day out, providing consistency with a compassionate and caring heart. She is a great example of Home Instead and our values.”
John added, “To Cheryl, we say, ‘Thanks for all you do and for putting your heart into every minute of every shift. You truly make a difference and leave a positive impact on everyone for whom you care!’ ”
All Home Instead CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (731) 984-7062 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
