Shelianna Bryan has experienced the emotional peaks and valleys of professional senior care during her 4½ years as a three-time Care Professional of the Month for Home Instead® of Victoria, Texas. While each client is so different and stands out for one reason or another, one client in particular will live on forever in Shelianna’s memory.
“I’d like to highlight my late client, 89-year-old Ruth, who was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 16, 2023. She was a longtime client,” Shelianna said. “Honestly, I won’t sugarcoat it. I was devastated for myself, but even more for her family. During all of those years with Ruth, her only son and daughter-in-law, and Ruth’s brother – as well as her family friends – they all welcomed me as if I were one of their own. Going to work with Ruth was like going to my second home, and I had so much joy with all of them. I don’t regret a single second.”
Shelianna tied her job fulfillment to her experience with Ruth and her family. “I want to say they are why I work in this field, because you meet people like them,” she said. “They genuinely love you and have incredible souls. That is what makes life worthwhile. I still speak to Ruth’s family members, and I always will.”
Shelianna added: “Working with Ruth – and then losing her – made me realize what ‘a caregiving recluse’ I had become. When I met new clients after such devastation, I found I was still feeling sorry for myself. I had lost a caregiving situation I thought was going to last for many more years. Ruth’s passing was so unexpected, and I hate change. But change is necessary sometimes to meet others who further impact your life when you least expect it.”
“Such is the case with my new client,” she admitted.
Less than a week after Ruth’s death, Shelianna met Mr. L. “He is a more hands-on client, compared to Ruth. He is younger, but unfortunately he had been involved in a traumatic accident and has 24-hour care,” Shelianna explained. “The longer I stuck with him, the more I realized we were getting along perfectly. He loves getting out in his Can-Am recreational vehicle or sitting in his shop. That’s where he watches his awesome brother Frank and best friend David work on trucks or do whatever involves having a tool in their hands. They keep him included in their lives, and, all around, it’s a joy to see.”
Shelianna noted: “Some people give up on caregiving work because they don’t want to go that extra mile for others. Unfortunately, he’s had a lot of people fall through for him, but when you click with someone, it works. He still maintains such a positive light in himself and to others when he absolutely doesn’t have to. He’s much like me – respectful unless disrespected – then he shows a sharp edge. I love it because he is a joy to be around. It is just who he is. When I watch him, I know I could be experiencing much worse things in life. Seeing his bounce-back attitude has wiped away the sadness of losing client Ruth and helped me realize things aren’t so bad.”
Shelianna concluded: “Maybe I’m meant to be exactly where I am. I thought after Ruth, I’d never have even a sliver of that comfort again with anyone else. But I was wrong, and I am so thankful to be where I am with my clients and Home Instead. Sorrow is part of the job, but sometimes it’s worth going through after the untapped love you receive. I thank every one of them and all the clients in between for the experience!”
Shelianna’s Care Pro of the Month honor in March follows the other awards she received in September 2019 and January 2020 after she joined Home Instead on June 26, 2019. Shelianna had worked for another home-care company before she found Home Instead. She always had a special feeling for the elderly, having helped grandparents, other family members, friends or even children. Before working for Home Instead, Shelianna also had served as a private-duty caregiver. She had assisted a few close friends’ grandparents every now and then.
Nothing about Home Instead has changed her mind about working for the franchise. “When I looked around and found Home Instead, I loved everything. To learn as much as I could, I talked to our recruiting and retention coordinator, Maegan Coldewey, who I absolutely love as one of my bosses. This is the first company that has treated me with so much respect. This job was made for me,” Shelianna said.
At our award-winning Home Instead franchise, owned by Pietro Jordao and Dillon Rice, Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (361) 237-4219 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead services, visit our website.
