Melanie Followed God’s leading to Care Pro Position
Melanie Sain retired from a 28-year business career in which she had advanced to a position as a long-time grocery-store manager with a national chain.
Melanie, a spiritual person who has been known for her people skills and unquestioned fairness as a store manager, wanted to try something new. So, she turned to her compass: God. “I prayed about my decision on my job selection. God led me in the right direction just as He always does. God blesses me every single day,” Melanie said.
In October 2022, Melanie entered professional senior care for the first time when she joined Home Instead® of Midland-Odessa, an award-winning franchise owned by Lorena and William Shensky. “I found Home Instead during an internet search. There were a lot of companies to consider. I followed God’s leading when I went to work with Home Instead,” Melanie said.
Home Instead Human Resources Director, Assistant Administrator and Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Imelda Hawkins was impressed with Melanie’s experiences as an unpaid family caregiver and while also providing a helping hand to others who were not family members.
“Among her experiences that impressed me was Melanie’s role in caring for her dad and mother-in-law. Those situations led her to be a great candidate for our Care Professional position by demonstrating she was willing to share her heart with others to whom she could shower her love. Her job longevity of 28 years as a grocery-store manager also spoke volumes as well,” said Imelda, who announced Melanie had been honored as Care Professional of Month for September.
Imelda added: “Melanie is an awesome Care Pro who goes above and beyond for her clients and often is complimented by our clients.”
While Melanie was still working as a store manager, Melannie helped a friend who had four children, including a severely handicapped child who is wheelchair-bound. When Melanie got off work at the grocery store, she sometimes would help take care of the handicapped child.
Then, about 15 years ago, Melanie helped an elderly neighbor by preparing dinner for her in the evenings. The neighbor’s son would provide breakfast, and she received Meals on Wheels at noon. Melanie recalled: “One thing led to another, and I ended up providing even more care for her, including shower assists. That’s just what I did from my heart.”
When Melanie’s 42-year-old brother was afflicted with brain cancer in 2018, she took care of him. Then, there also was the care she provided for her mother-in-law, who lived near Melanie and her husband Stacy. The faith-based motivation that was involved with each situation also inspires Melanie to help her Home Instead clients.
“When the clients have asked me to do so, I have prayed with them. Also, when they have asked, I have taken communion with them,” Melanie said. “In each situation, they have to broach the subject first, and I will respond.” Melanie added: “A favorite client passed away in June and is with Jesus. She had a strong faith, and I helped her practice her faith with prayers and communion.”
The client died while in hospice care. Melanie said: “That wasn’t the case when I first went to help her. She had endured a double tragedy. Her daughter-in-law and son, who both had cancer, died a week apart. Two weeks after her son died, my heartbroken client suffered a major stroke and lived for two more months. I got her up every morning and tried to talk to her. After her stroke, it was difficult for her to talk, but I kept talking to her. I could generally anticipate her needs without communicating because I had gotten to know her so well. We got pretty close. We were best friends. She told me she loved me every day. She had been an active person who retired from the labor force at age 81,” Melanie said.
Melanie now assists a 76-year-old male client. “I call him ‘My Main Man,’ and he loves it,” Melanie said. The client suffered serious injuries in a car accident and had been hospitalized for almost two years. In the house, he’s either in a wheelchair or on a walker. The resourceful client uses a Dollie to get from his house to his shop while he tries to remain active.
“I’ve been with him for three months. He was challenging when I first came to help him. But we connected well. He’s been hard on others who try to help him. I have to sit him down and talk to him about being good to others when I take vacation days. He is fussy and particular, especially about his home. I treat his home as if it were my home and keep it clean,” Melanie said.
Asked how she envisioned her future years, Melanie joked, “Ultimately, I’d like to hang out on a beach in the Caribbean with my husband. Humor aside, I love Home Instead, where the office communications are good. I can’t ask for a better boss than Lorena. She is an amazing woman who takes calls at just about any time of day or night and resolves the issues. I remember a time when we needed to get a nurse to come out to a client, and I thought it would be virtually impossible for many reasons. Lorena made one call and took care of it.”
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.
