#YouCanCare 2023
#YouCanCare - Sylvia
How did you hear about Home Instead and what prompted you to apply?
“I am originally from West Sussex. I lived in Southern Ireland for 10 years and whilst I was there, I started my career in care. We then moved to Felixstowe in 2017 and my friend told me about Home Instead and sent me a link via Facebook. I wanted to continue working in care and had heard Home Instead had a good reputation.”
What do you like to do in your spare time and are you able to bring that into your role?
“In my spare time, I enjoy walking my dog. Many of my clients have owned animals in the past so they love to hear about our adventures and see pictures.”
What do you enjoy most about the role?
“I like to cook and bake and have cooked meals for my clients and made cakes. I always get good feedback and the cakes get eaten up pretty quickly!”
What do you think the benefits are of the hourly care role for both you and the client?
“The visit is more relaxed. You can carry out your tasks and have time to do extra. The client doesn’t feel rushed, and you have time to chat. Sometimes you might be the only person the client will see that day. I love getting to know my clients and learning about their lives, They have so many interesting stories to tell. It is great that we are helping our clients stay at home by offering help with activities they may struggle with.”
What activities, if any, do you do with your clients?
“I regularly play Scrabble or cards with one client who has dementia. I have made pom poms for some of my clients and have done sand art.”
What would you say to anyone who is thinking about a role in care?
“Before having my children, I had always worked in an office. When I started working in care, I realised that this was the job for me. I really enjoy being out in the community, making a difference in a person’s day. It doesn’t feel like going to work, it’s more like going to see your friends. The work is so varied and not one day is the same.
Home Instead is a really nice company to work for. You get loads of support and you can work the hours that are suitable for you. I have made some good friends while working for Home Instead.”
#YouCanCare - Mark
How did you hear about Home Instead?
“I saw an advert on Facebook for positions within the company.”
What prompted you to apply?
“It has always been a job I thought about, but I really liked the idea of helping people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.“
What were you doing before joining home instead?
“I was retired, but previously I was a hairdresser and then a postman.”
What do you like to do in your spare time and are you able to bring that into your role?
“I enjoy socialising and love chatting with people. I have found this a great way to bond with our clients as they love to share their life stories and I love to listen and learn about their lives.”
What do you enjoy most about the role?
“Being able to meet incredibly interesting older people who have so much to share, but also getting the satisfaction that I make a difference to their day.”
What are the benefits of the hourly care role for both you and the client?
“This enables me to concentrate on the visit and not rush anything. It also means the time spent giving the client is quality. Having at least an hour allows me sufficient time to ensure the client is well looked after. It also allows me time to observe our client and report any concerns.”
What activities, if any, do you do with your clients?
“It may be cooking with the client to get them involved or going out for a walk when they want some fresh air. I go shopping with a client if they want to and often stop for a coffee.”
What would you say to anyone who is thinking about a role in care?
“Certainly go for it as it is so rewarding but also research the company. Home instead has the client at the heart of everything they do but not all companies do that. I have found being a Care Professional at home instead is not like a job at all. They look after their staff as much as the clients.”
#YouCanCare - Teri
How did you hear about Home Instead?
“I applied for the job after seeing a small advert in the paper!”
What prompted you to apply for the role?
“I was looking for a change in career, and fancied a new challenge! I wanted a job that fitted in with my family life as my family is incredibly important to me.”
What were you doing before joining Home Instead?
“I used to work in a nursery, working with children ages 0-5 years old. Some of my clients laugh when I tell them of my previous job and say I’ve gone from one end of the spectrum to the other!”
What do you like to do in your spare time and are able to bring that into your role?
“I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am also a season ticket holder at Ipswich Town Football Club. Currently, I am studying to become a psychodynamic counsellor and have just qualified as a Hypnotherapist.”
What do you enjoy most about the role?
“I love getting to know my clients and learning about their lives, they all come from various backgrounds, and their history is so interesting!”
What do you think the benefits are of the hourly care role for both you and the client?
“Something that has always stuck with me since I began at the company is the comment from General Manager Joanna “I couldn’t get ready in under an hour, so how can we expect our clients to?”. She is absolutely right, hourly visits give us time to assist our clients at their own pace, ensuring they feel comfortable and not rushed. During those visits, we have time to ensure our clients are happy and it gives us time to get to know them and their routines.”
What activities, if any, do you do with your clients?
“Every visit is so different! On one visit I could be doing personal care, the next visit I could be taking a client shopping or going for a walk! The visits keep you on your toes and every visit is different! I love how varied they are. It’s lovely to help clients stay independent in their own homes and with activities that they like to do.”
What would you say to anyone who is thinking about a role in care?
“It’s a very rewarding career, having been at Home Instead for 6 years, it has taught me so much, and I have met the most wonderful clients that have welcomed me into their homes and lives. They become more than clients, they become part of your extended family. It’s a job that doesn’t feel like a job, it feels as if I’m visiting family.”
#YouCanCare - Helene
How did you hear about Home Instead?
I found out about Home Instead via an advert and applied online.
What prompted you to apply for the role?
I’d been in the finance industry before (for about 18 years) it was becoming quite pressured and very stressful. I’d always been interested in Care but was a little afraid of a complete career change. In all honesty, I wish I’d made the leap sooner!
What do you enjoy most about the role?
I enjoy my role; providing support, bringing conversation and hopefully making a positive difference to someone’s life.
What do you think the benefits are of the Live-in care role for both you and the client?
Live-in care is quite new for me but has been a great learning curve and enhanced my skills. I‘ve also enjoyed getting to know my client and setting out a routine for each day ahead. The benefits of live-in care are; not as much travelling to do each day, building a closer bond with your client and planning each day together.
What do you like to do in your spare time and are able to bring that into your role?
In my spare time, I like to read, watch films, paint go for nice walks and do word game puzzles
What activities, if any, do you do with your clients?
My client and I both enjoy food and think about different meals we can cook. We also both like quiz shows, nature and history programmes. We are also in the process of sorting things out and decluttering my client’s home.
What would you say to anyone who is thinking about a role in care?
To anyone thinking about getting into care. I’d say do it! I feel I’ve grown as a person, increased my confidence and made some brilliant friends.
#YouCanCare - Mukti
#YouCanCare - Cyndi
“Hello, I’m Cyndi and I came to caring late in life. I Joined Home Instead as a Care Professional in 2020 after a huge change in my life. My husband sadly passed away in 2016 and I had to leave the Civil Service as my heart and soul were no longer in it.
I had to wait until it felt right for me, and as my daughter was already working for Home Instead, I had a good idea about the company and its work ethics, which are excellent.
After having a good chat with the recruitment team, I made the decision to start.
My career with Home instead works for me as I was able to work with the team to create a schedule that suits my life. This was important to me as I didn’t want to push myself, but I needed a purpose and a reason to get up and out there again.
The training is great, and the support you get from the whole team is second to none. I have gained so much during my time with Home instead and to give is to receive. I care for some wonderful clients and their families, and it gives me so much in return.
If you are considering a role in care, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this amazing company.”
#YouCanCare - Alison
A Day in the Life of a Care Professional
This is my 6th year working with Home Instead. I used to be a Registered Childminder for 27 years and decided I needed a change.
I was nervous to begin with but soon realised there was no need to be, as there is lots of support and training.
The Office Staff and other Care Professionals are very helpful. I have built up a lovely relationship with my Clients. My day can vary from getting our Clients up in the morning, to carrying out some general housework or taking a Client out for a coffee.
With Home Instead, our visits are always at least an hour or can be longer, depending on each Client’s needs.
It’s a very rewarding career, seeing the joy and laughter you bring to someone’s day, especially if we are the only person they see that day.
With the flexible work pattern, it means that I am able to take my dog on long daily walks and spend quality time with my family and friends. It also means that I can be there to provide support for my elderly parents.
I enjoy going to the cinema, to the theatre and for meals out.
I have made a lot of new friends within the company and I enjoy my job and enjoy the challenges it brings to me.
It’s not like going to work, it’s much more like visiting extended family. No client and no day are the same.
Home Instead values all of their staff, from the Care Professionals, to the Office Staff and there is always someone on the end of the phone if needed.
Clients are given the highest level of care and I am proud to be part of a wonderful organisation.
