One reason our owner chose Hazen, ND to start a Home Instead office was that she saw the need for in-home care in our rural communities and the lack of options for those needing such care. In North Dakota, especially our western part of the state, we are very rural! So when we got a call from an individual needing care all the way in Harvey, ND we did not want to say no. So off we searched for caregivers in the area, hoping we could say yes and provide the care needed. Luckily, we had some connections, and Shilista was one of Christy’s first calls to see if caregiving was something she’d ever consider. She had just recently left her other jobs but was still looking for something part-time when she got our call and took us up on our offer! Shilista did not have much experience prior but has excelled quickly “Once I got the job I found that I really liked the work and the company,” said Shilista.
Shilista has caring and serving running through her soul, and it shows! She is a pastor’s wife, for the last 11 years, with 5 beautiful kids who she homeschools. When asked where she sees herself in three years she stated “Just being a mom and wife with good character and serving my community.” Her heart is so big and is always thinking about and caring for others. We are so happy and feel so lucky that she is part of our Home Instead family. Something she reminds herself “You can take a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” I’m sure this is probably something that helps her throughout her chaotic days, especially any individual she comes across that are a bit more stubborn! Sometimes we just need to give those people a little more grace and if needed find a new route…to get them to drink that water!
Some of the more tried-and-true testing grounds for caregivers is to provide services to clients when they are towards the end of their time, which can be more challenging physically and emotionally than the average caregiving shifts. Shilista had a client that knew he didn’t have much longer and wanted to stay at home if possible. We were able to provide care and be there for him and his family with anything they needed. “One time his son came to visit, and the client hadn’t sat up much in the last weeks, but he really wanted to sit up and play cribbage. I sat there and watched them razz each other in good nature. It was so precious to watch” as Shilista was reminiscing about a past client. “It makes me realize how precious our families are and it is moments like that which will make us realize all the sacrifices of our own desires are worth it to have a relationship with our children” she added, a wonderful moment and lesson to take away from a such a shift.
Shilista has been with us since the beginning of this year, and so far, we’ve only heard good things about her from the clients she works with. They really enjoy her and the relationships she creates. “I love getting to know the client and their family. Being there for them emotionally as well as physically is rewarding. By being there, they aren’t lonely, and I love serving them in their needs” Shilista said about why she enjoys being a CAREGiver.
Her three words for Home Instead are serving, welcoming, and helpful. Shilista shines bright with all three of those traits and more! We are so thrilled to be able to have Shilista as one of our CAREGivers taking care of our clients in rural ND!
