Care Professional of the Year 2023
Every year, we hear stories about our remarkable Care Professionals who are enhancing the lives of ageing adults throughout the Home Instead network.
2023 has presented us with various challenges that we have faced so far, and we have supported our clients through some very difficult times. But 2023 has also provided opportunities where our Care Professionals have been able to demonstrate their creativity, dedication and commitment to their clients and Home Instead and we want to celebrate the wonderful work that our Care Professionals do.
At Home Instead Sheffield and Barnsley, we’ve been thinking about which of our wonderful Care Professionals we would like to nominate for the annual Home Instead Care Professional of the Year awards. This is based on the values we all share and how our Care Professionals share those values with our clients. The commitment and passion our Care Professionals show, in the way that they work with our clients and support each of our offices, is truly helping us expand the world’s capacity to care and change the perception of working in care.
For Home Instead Sheffield South, we’ve chosen Live-in Care Professional Andreea Munteanu as our Care Professional of the Year 2023.
About Andreea
Andreea is a Romanian lady who came to Home Instead Sheffield South after having previously worked at Home Instead Westminster until her client sadly passed away.
You may wonder where she lives, as many Live-in Care Pros travel for their work, however not many can say they travel just as far as Andreea – who still in fact lives in Romania when not in the UK providing live-in care!
Despite being a Live-in Care Professional and naturally meeting less fellow Care Professionals, Andreea has managed to make an impact on those she does work with. In June of 2023, she was put forward for our Care Professional of the Month award in recognition for this, with one Care Pro commenting:
“I have met Andreea Munteanu now several times at PJH. I think she does a fabulous job. She is very positive, welcoming always smiley. She shows great respect, patience and care for PJH. She communicates well and is overall a really confident and professional carer in my view.”
An example of Andreea’s amazing work is how she has dealt with one of our live-in care clients, John.
Sadly, John’s journey into live in care came about due to tragic circumstances. He lives with advanced dementia – although believes he is capable of living independently. Home Instead originally cared for his wife of 50+ years, Sheila, giving her respite care as John’s sole carer. This was one of the only ways that John would accept any care.
Sheila unfortunately then had a fall at home and was taken into hospital, and later into rehabilitation.
Although John and Sheila did not have any immediate family, they did have the most amazing support from good friends and neighbours who immediately rallied around John, supporting him through the initial first few days. However, it was soon noticed that this was not sustainable, as Sheila would be away from John for at least a few weeks, during which time it was very clear that he would not be able to keep himself safe at home alone.
Initially, Home Instead helped by covering some overnights and long visits during the day when friends and neighbours were unavailable. John found this extremely difficult as he truly felt he was able to live independently and really ‘didn’t understand what all the fuss was about’. Simultaneously, it became clear that Sheila would need extensive care in order for her to come home. Plans were therefore put in place to provide live-in care for not just Sheila, but also John.
How Andreea has been John's saving grace
Although she was immediately met with resistance from John, as he didn’t understand and hadn’t retained the information as to why Andreea was staying with him, Andreea persevered. Her reassurance and incredible work enabled her to build a trusting relationship with John. For example, she was able to reassure him regarding the plans for Sheila to come home, and when John began to see Andreea as a student staying with him (he and Sheila used to have student live with them when they were younger), Andreea went along with it and in fact used it to continue building a relationship with John. She ensured she spoke about topics that interested him and that he could have a sense of purpose and teach her more about. Her ability to think outside the box here was truly exceptional.
However, Sheila’s health then unfortunately began to deteriorate once more. This meant that Andreea now needed to shift focus and begin to support John in understanding that Sheila was unwell. When the doctors rang one morning to warn John’s friends that Sheila had deteriorated further and that family should come to say their goodbyes, Andreea was the strength that John needed, and, more importantly, had.
Although his dementia meant he still regularly asked about Sheila, Andreea was again reassuring and caring, reminding John in a gentle way that Sheila had sadly passed. She ensured she did this by asking John to share nice memories of Sheila and focused on this, rather than the sadness. She was also able to support John at Sheila’s funeral, helping him navigate what his life would be like without her.
As John’s memory has deteriorated, Andreea has been the constant for John. She has been a great strength to him, and to the Home Instead team, symbolising everything we look for in our Care Professionals – and she truly is a professional at what she does! Without her, John would be very lost indeed.
Speaking with John’s friends, we can see just how much Andreea is appreciated and admired in her role:
“Andreea has developed a lovely relationship with John. She is always very patient and understanding and she has a very calm manner. When John is confused, she is able to reassure him and comfort him. He is not always happy to have people in his house, but he regards Andreea as a friend who is welcome to stay as long as she wants to. We are delighted that Andreea is up to receive this award and grateful to be able to share our thoughts”
Well done Andreea!