Patty Says Her Client Is Just Like Family
When Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Patty Tidwell assists her primary client, she thinks of her father. Patty and her client live in Andrews, Texas, a city of about 14,000 that is 40 miles northwest of the Home Instead office in Midland. In addition to Andrews and Midland, the award-winning franchise also serves Odessa and several other Permian Basin cities.
“Before joining Home Instead,” Patty said, “I was my dad’s family caregiver for five years. I know how important it is to the clients and their families to have someone who truly cares and treats them as family.”
Patty’s client is a Vietnam veteran, and she has been his Care Pro for about six weeks. “He has no family around and only one friend in Andrews. I could not imagine my dad having to be in such a situation where the potential for loneliness and isolation is so overwhelming. As a result, I treat my client in the manner in which I’d expect others to treat my dad because it is so very important that no one ever feels as if he is alone or that no one cares about him,” Patty said.
Referring to her client, Patty said: “I don’t necessarily have a special story yet because we are still building on our Care Pro-client relationship, but I can say he is funny. He has me going to the same convenience store for about the same things all the time. When the employees see me pull up, they have most of the items ready when I get to the counter.”
Home Instead Human Resources, Assistant Administrator and Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Imelda Hawkins said: “Patty goes beyond the call of duty to make sure her client’s health is managed by keeping track of his doctor appointments, accompanying him to all of them and advocating for him. While assisting her client, Patty pays close attention to detail and provides thorough documentation on his care logs. By continually accumulating that knowledge, Patty remains in faithful communication with our franchise office and her client’s health-care team. That diligent work makes her a valuable Care Pro. She surpasses the basic duties for her clients and cares for them as if they were family.”
Imelda, who announced Patty’s Care Pro of the Month honor in March on behalf of franchise co-owners Lorena and William Shensky, added: “Patty has proved to be a wonderful asset to our Care Professional team, but most important to her client, who is a veteran.”
Patty is a medical assistant and phlebotomist by profession, having worked in the medical field for more than 30 years. She is her adult daughter’s family caregiver when she’s not working. Patty joined Home Instead in September 2022. “One of my friends told me that her daughter was once employed by Home Instead and that she loved it. I decided to apply with Home Instead because of the good things I heard about the company,” Patty said.
She added: “I have never worked in an environment where the office staff is so friendly, helpful and encouraging. The Home Instead office staff certainly makes me feel appreciated. That, and the flexibility of hours and the competitive pay are what I like the most about working with Home Instead. Home Instead is the perfect venue to allow me to continue giving care and compassion to those in need.”
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.
