Care Pro Mellanie and Her Client ‘Laugh, Talk, Learn’
For Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Mellanie Garza, job fulfillment can sometimes be measured by facial expressions. “The rewarding smiles of my client say, ‘You’re doing a great job,’ ” said Mellanie, who assists her 76-year-old client on behalf of Home Instead of Midland-Odessa, an award-winning franchise owned by Lorena and William Shensky.
“We laugh, we talk and we learn. We’ve learned how to adapt to my client’s arthritis and the effects of his Parkinson’s disease as well as monitoring all of his medications. We’ve also learned how to change a few things as his body adjusts for the transition through the elder years. I have loved working with him. Truly, we don’t know how much time God gives us, So, why not give our clients the best of the rest of their years?” said Mellanie, who joined Home Instead on Oct. 20, 2022, and is helping the same client whom her daughter Austyn had assisted before she left Home Instead to concentrate on her college classes in Midland. Austyn, who last March became a registered dental assistant, travels through the state and in New Mexico.
Mellanie said: “My client and I love mornings at IHOP with a full stack of blueberry pancakes. We also love shopping together, as well as talking, laughing and reminiscing about our earlier years. We love dressing up for whatever occasion his senior living apartments are celebrating that month.”
Imelda Hawkins, Home Instead’s human resources director, assistant administrator, and recruitment and engagement coordinator, said: “Mellanie goes above and beyond for her client. Mellanie frequently accompanies her client to emergency rooms, rehabilitation and physical therapy sessions, as well as follow-up medical appointments. Mellanie is a true blessing to her client and an exemplary employee!”
Mellanie’s hometown of San Angelo is a key to Home Instead’s reach from Midland to the county seat of Tom Green County. Imelda explained: “Mellanie will play a vital role when our new San Angelo office opens.” San Angelo is about an hour-and-45 minute drive from Midland, where the Shenskys’ Home Instead franchise is based. Mellanie is eager to serve seniors in San Angelo, which has a population of about 102,000.
For Mellanie and her fellow Care Pros, touching lives impacts their souls, whether they are providing physical help such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders or personal care or if they are offering emotional support in a companionship role. Mellanie embodies Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
