Kayla Garcia has that “something extra” that sets her apart as a Home Instead® Instead Care Professional of the Month at Home Instead of Victoria. How do we know? Kayla took on what could have been a potentially challenging situation but has experienced success for the most part.
Kayla explained: “My client gives me hugs and tells me thank you for helping him with everything. That is more than enough for me in terms of job fulfillment.”
She added: “Before I began this caregiving assignment, I had heard this could be a challenge, which is not an unusual situation at all. After all, we Care Pros are the ones who go into the seniors’ homes, which can feel intrusive to them until they get to know us. I have not found that to be the case with this client.”
Perhaps the client could feel Kayla’s compassion and empathy on the day she showed up to assist him. Those are two of the characteristics that are evaluated when a Care Pro is considered for the employee of the month award. Of course, there are others. Has the Care Pro gone above and beyond the call of duty? Does the Care Pro possess the skills and wisdom to be highly successful? Is the Care Pro exceptional at her work with any client? Finally, does the Care Pro focus on Home Instead’s training, processes and procedures of successful caregiving? In other words, does the Care Pro work at getting better?
For Home Instead Recruiting and Retention Coordinator Maegan Coldewey, the answers were yes. When Maegan announced Kayla had been honored as Care Pro of the Month, Maegan said Kayla displays Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.” Kayla was selected just months after joining the award-winning Home Instead franchise May 9.
“I haven’t been a Home Instead Care Pro for a long time, but I definitely love it,” Kayla said. “My best friend had applied to work for Home Instead and wanted me to apply as well, so I did. I have loved working for them.”
Explaining her previous senior-care experience, Kayla said: “I had been working as a caregiver before getting the job at Home Instead, but it was in a private-duty role. I really enjoyed it.” As far as being an unpaid family caregiver, Kayla said: “I haven’t been put in a position where I’ve had to take care of any family members yet.”
Serving as a Care Pro has been a good fit for Kayla. “When I first started doing this job, I enjoyed the fact that I got to help somebody who needed me,” she said. “I love my job because the smiles on some of the clients’ faces are all that matters. It’s the little things you can do for somebody that means the most.”
Pietro Jordao and Dillon Rice have been the Home Instead franchise’s co-owners since Aug. 1, 2020. Maegan joined Home Instead at her position in March 2019. Pietro, Dillon, Maegan and Kayla are proud members of a franchise network directed by Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and Care Pros. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Pro across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (361) 433-0330 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
