Client Tells Care Pro Honoree Michael: ‘You’re the One’
Twice-honored Home Instead Care Professional of the Month Michael Mullen is the one.
He’s the only Care Pro his client wants. The client, in his 70s, had looked far and wide among area senior-care agencies. Home Instead® of Clearwater, an award-winning franchise owned by Julie Castle, matched Michael with the client. It was no guessing game for Home Instead’s client care managers and schedulers – Michael has been a successful Care Pro since he joined Home Instead on Jan. 21, 2018. He previously was selected as Care Pro of the Month in June 2022.
Michael assisted the client for one day, and the client asked Michael to come back. Michael has been with the client for the past 16 months and has no other professional assistance.
Michael noted several of his client’s unusual challenges. “He is sharp mentally, but it’s hard to understand him because of a medical procedure,” Michael said. “Many people struggle with that, so communication can be tough. He’s the first client I’ve had who has this challenge, but I remain patient and listen closely. He also has Parkinson’s disease, but he uses a walker and handles his personal care most of the time. He’s good with medication management.”
The client’s personality, perhaps molded by his military experience, is something that Michael has accepted. As a result, their relationship thrives. “My thing is that you – as the client – tell me whatever you want me to do, and I’ll do it. I get frequent requests. At the end of the day, the client tells me, ‘I don’t know how you put up with me.’ ”
Among his caregiving skills, Michael’s companionship and empathy stand out. “He resides in a situation where the neighbors seem to say just hi to each other as they come and go. The socialization and interaction aren’t there. He has little or no stimulation when I am not there. He’s excited to hear about my activities outside of caregiving. The client has family, but they are spread out geographically, and some of them are battling medical conditions or are busy with jobs. He doesn’t talk to anyone on the phone for long. He’s mostly texting,” Michael said.
Michael has picked up on medical challenges that needed to be addressed with his client and acted on them. “During my first three days with the client, I asked, ‘What’s on your mind?’ He said, ‘My foot hurts.’ The long and short of it was that I got him to a medical professional that day and started the process to get it handled. Since then, I have given him yogurt and cheese to try to help him heal. We’ve dealt with another medical issue by working on nutrition and hydration,” Michael said.
He added: “When you are disabled, your independence starts to go away, depending on what happens. I hope to keep my client as long as possible. He refuses to talk about a nursing home. He’s been to nursing homes for surgery rehabilitation and other procedures. He knows how different and difficult it is than living at home. He always thanks me.”
Michael’s client knows one thing: His Care Pro is a natural as a caregiver. During one stunning evening when Michael was a teenager, his life changed and settled into a bright trajectory of helping others. His mother was preparing dinner and fainted without warning.
Michael recalled: “That’s when we learned Mom was a diabetic, and I learned how to take care of her. I’d help with her insulin shots. She’s also done so much for me, including setting a great example. I have a kind mother who is caring and giving. It is an attitude that has stuck with me. When I was in high school, my best friend was disabled, and I helped her out. When my friends get sick, I’m the one who they call for advice and help.”
Michael’s diabetic-care indoctrination came in handy years later. Michael was a teacher’s aide for a physical-education class, and a 5-year-old suffered a diabetic episode. Michael was there and reacted perfectly to the situation.
Michael’s path in life eventually led him to Home Instead, where Director of Care Professional Services JC Crady has presented Michael with Care Pro awards in June 2022 and March 2025.
Michael had come well-prepared for the job. He is a licensed CNA who received his education through a vocational rehabilitation center. “I’ve been doing this for years. An interesting aspect to what I am doing is that I have a dyslexic disability. A rehabilitation center found this job for me – Home Instead was at a job fair for people with disabilities,” Michael explained.
On Michael’s first day as a Care Pro, he helped a six-year client and made quite an impression. After that day, the client’s son always called Home Instead and asked for Michael. The son noted that his father said, “If you can’t send Michael, don’t send anyone.” One day, the client’s son was trying to figure out what his dad was trying to communicate. “I knew from being around him and observing him closely that the client wanted to shave,” Michael said.
While working with all clients, Michael said: “I love helping others. I always take the tack I am in their home, not the other way around. I’ll do something the way they are used to doing it, such as washing dishes. Do they rinse a dish before actually washing it? I am a very visual and intuitive person. I pick up on weaknesses and needs. I let them talk, and I listen closely. With bonding and cultivating relationships, it usually gets to the point where I can finish their sentences.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (727) 799-1400 or visit our website.
