It’s a true statement: Seniors almost always will tell you exactly what they think. Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Rechale Hawkins can confirm it, and she does so with a big smile and a bushel load of empathy. Describing one of her colorful former clients, Rechale said: “I loved that she was very straightforward with me.”
Rechale recalled: “I’d tell her, ‘I’m here to help you.’ Then I’d get started, but she’d ask, ‘Who told you to do these things (such as light housekeeping and meal preparation)?’ She said my activities of helping her made her tired just watching me.”
Rechale’s former client, who recently passed away, loved Coke sodas. Thinking of a healthier alternative, Rechale quietly suggested “drinking water” instead. Rechale described the reaction: “She rolled her eyes at me so hard. I laughed and asked her, ‘Are we not friends any longer?’ She said we were friends as long as I didn’t bring up drinking water to her.”
Rechale added: “The one thing I appreciated about my client, no matter what I had to do for her, was that she always, always said thank you. I valued that because some people don’t realize how those two words can make a difference in a Care Pro’s day, and she did it over and over. I worked with her for a short period, and I enjoyed it. I was sad to hear that she had passed away.”
Before joining owner Greg Gomez-Mira’s award-winning Home Instead franchise in April, Rechale had never worked in professional senior care. But she had served as a family caregiver. “I assisted with the care of my aunt, who had early-onset dementia.” Rechale said.
When Rechale found Home Instead on SimplyHired.com, she said: “I was seeking a part-time job. I was looking to gain more experience in the home-care field after taking care of my aunt. My previous working background had ranged from various customer-service positions that focus on benefit administration. I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration.”
Rechale was an instant success with the Houston-area Home Instead franchise that serves Arcola, Bellaire, First Colony, Fresno, Greatwood, Iowa Colony, Lake Olympia, Meyer Park, Meyerland, Missouri City, Pearland, Quail Valley, Riverstone, Rosharon, Shadow Creek Ranch, Sienna Plantation, Stafford, Sugar Land, Sunnyside, Sweetwater, Thompsons and Westbury.
Scheduling Coordinator Jessica Williams announced Rechale’s Care Pro of the Month honor, an award that is reserved for employees who display Home Instead’s guiding principles of “Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.” Jessica said: “Rechale has been very helpful since she was hired two months ago. She communicates with the office on the things she needs, provides updates about her clients and their conditions, and she picks up shifts in desperate staffing times. She’s a team player!”
For Rechale, touching lives impacts her soul, whether she is providing physical help such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders or personal care or if she is offering emotional support in a companionship role. Focusing on Home Instead’s training, processes and procedures of successful caregiving helped her achieve Care Pro of the Month status.”
Rechale loves being a part of the Care Pro team for Greg’s franchise, a member of a network comprised of Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for seniors, their families and Care Pros. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Pros in 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of seniors.
Rechale said: “What I like most about my job is meeting people from all walks of life.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (713) 774-2215 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
