Deseraih Keeps Her Great-Grandmother’s Memory Alive by Helping Seniors
Deseraih “Desi” Subia wanted to honor her late great-grandmother in the best way possible. So, she became a Care Professional for Home Instead® of Midland-Odessa, an award-winning franchise owned by Lorena and William Shensky. Five months after Deseraih joined Home Instead, she was honored as the office’s Care Pro of the Month for April.
“I am keeping my great-grandmother’s memory alive by assisting seniors. She was a pastor’s wife and loved to help others no matter their age. I want to resemble the person she was. Our family’s faith had flowed through our great-grandmother, whose compassionate attitude set the example for us. We also take care of others who are in need,” Deseraih said.
Her great-grandmother lived near Deseraih’s family for the last five years after moving to the Midland-Odessa area from El Paso, Texas, and they took care of her during that time. Deseraih and her sister traded off weekends at their great-grandmother’s home, where they helped as needed. “It was a blessing,” she said. “But her health declined. When she left the hospital and went into hospice, we took continuous care of her for a month before she passed away June 24, 2021.”
With the family caregiving experience of helping her great-grandmother, Deseraih looked for a job as a senior-care professional. “I applied with Home Instead and another agency, and Home Instead got back to me first. I am enjoying my job, which is among all of my activities where I am helping people. I care for others who don’t have anyone else to help them,” Deseraih said.
Deseraih was a pre-kindergarten teacher for the First Presbyterian Church for a year and a half. She now conducts classes for youngsters at the Church of the Nations in Midland. “I am at church almost every night and on Sundays. I teach Bible classes and also take classes. I usually teach elementary school age. I handle scheduling and fill in where needed,” Deseraih said.
In 2018 and 2019, she was a summer camp counselor who lived 24/7 with the girl campers at weeklong Texas Lions Camps for the disabled children in Kerrville. “I worked with all kinds of kids, epileptics, Down syndrome and other special needs, and it was fulfilling. We helped them do activities such as zip lining and riding horses. The activities were the kinds of things any kid would do in a summer camp,” Deseraih explained.
At Home Instead, Deseraih had been a star since she started Dec. 10, 2021.
Assistant Administrator and Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Imelda Hawkins said: “From the moment I sat down with Desi at the interview, I knew Desi had a huge heart, and she was wise way beyond her years. She enjoyed caring for her great-grandmother and also had the good experience of taking care of disabled children at a summer camp.”
Imelda added: “Desi’s strong faith in God led her to Home Instead after searching for caregiving agencies. I asked Desi why she thought I should hire her as a Home Instead Care Pro, and she confidently replied, ‘I feel as if a lot of agencies have employees who are there for the money, but I’m here to give good care and love them with all my heart.’ What an awesome Care Pro she is. The wife of a client thinks the world of her.”
Deseraih has been assisting the wife’s husband since she started with Home Instead. Five days of service became six, Monday through Saturday, and the hours have varied. The couple also has one other Care Pro, but Deseraih is the lead. Before calling for Home Instead service, the husband had undergone surgery, moved to a rehabilitation facility and then went home. That’s when Deseraih came on the scene.
“The client is starting to get his strength back. It is the Lord’s blessing. I am so happy to see that. During our conversations, they do bring up my church. They are interested in what I do there. I tell them what I do and why I do it. They care for me and want me to take care of myself and not overdo it. So far, so good for me,” Deseraih said.
Asked what lies ahead of her, Deseraih replied: “The future is unpredictable. I went into the job with the idea of keeping my great-grandmother’s memories alive. I’ve done that. I have different goals, and I am keeping an open mind. I might have a career change in mind. I’ve thought about becoming a CNA, and maybe later on a registered nurse. As a traveling nurse, I could see myself going on mission trips. I would be using my faith to help others.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained, bonded and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
