Rosalind Won Over Reluctant Client, Built Strong Friendship
A little over two years ago, Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Rosalind Lenford began assisting a client who didn’t embrace the notion she needed help. For Rosalind, that was no surprise. The senior-care professional “had been there, done that,” so Rosalind remained patient. “She was skeptical about me at first,” Rosalind recalled. “Then, after the ‘getting-to-know-you’ period was over, we really hit it off.”
Rosalind added: “She was sweet. I was close to her. We were together for two years. I took her to medical appointments, and we had lunch together and talked a lot. At first, she handled her own personal care. Later, she got more and more fatigued and needed more help. Cancer eventually took its toll on my client. She died about a month ago; she had reached her 80s.”
The client’s family members conducted a private memorial service for their senior loved one, and they included Rosalind as part of their inner circle. “My client wanted to make sure I was at her celebration of life. Her daughter also really wanted me there,” Rosalind said. “After my client died, I remained with the daughter and helped her sort her mother’s things. I also will be with her in the next few weeks to finish the task.”
The client and her family held Rosalind in high esteem and so have many others. That is why Rosalind has been honored twice as Home Instead of Midland-Odessa’s Care Pro of the Month since she started with the award-winning franchise July 16, 2021. Rosalind’s first honor came in March 2022, and the second award was presented in April 2025.
Imelda Hawkins, Home Instead’s Human Resources Director and Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator, said: “We are thrilled to once again recognize Rosalind. Since joining us nearly four years ago, she has consistently demonstrated incredible loyalty and a remarkable dedication to pleasing her clients. Rosalind’s commitment to going above and beyond, attending all training sessions and meetings, truly shines. We are so fortunate to have her on our team – we love Rosalind’s dedication!”
Imelda’s first memories of Rosalind stretch back to 11 years. Imelda recalled: “Rosalind and I share a connection because she had worked at a facility where one of my Home Instead clients was living when I was a Care Pro in 2014. When I saw Rosalind walk in the door at Home Instead in July 2021, I knew she was good and that I wanted her to be part of our family.”
As Imelda renewed her acquaintance with Rosalind on that toasty July day, Imelda knew she had struck gold for Lorena and William Shensky, franchise co-owners, as well as their clients. Imelda added: “Rosalind is the type of Care Pro who I would place with my family members because of her great knowledge of caregiving, her calming spirit and her great work ethic. Rosalind has a gentle, calming voice that just ensures all will be OK.”
Rosalind was looking for a part-time job when she went online and scanned through job site Indeed.com. “I saw Home Instead was hiring Care Pros, so I put in my application. I was called during the next couple of days,” Rosalind recalled.
Imelda pointed out that Rosalind had entered the professional caregiving realm more than 35 years ago. Rosalind also had been a family caregiver, having taken care of both sets of her grandparents. “I truly enjoyed working with the elderly,” Rosalind said.
When Rosalind started with Home Instead, she was paired with a client who was bedbound. In no time, Rosalind had her client sitting at the dinner table and eating her meals. While that client was memorable, others also were unforgettable. Rosalind said: “I love all my clients, but the one who really had my heart was Miss S. She liked to pray for people, and we loved watching Dr. David Jeremiah, a well-known evangelical Christian author and pastor, on television.”
One of the Home Instead Care Pro benefits is flexible shifts. “The best thing I like about Home Instead is being able to make my schedule. When I started, I was very much involved with my grandson, so being able to pick what I could do to help Home Instead also helped me a lot. My grandson is now 16, so there’s no babysitting. He is still my pride and joy. He started going to church by initiating the idea with me. Babysitting is over, but I want to be an influence in his life as much as I can,” Rosalind said.
Rosalind continues to be an influence in the lives of her clients and their families. “I will keep doing my job as long as the Lord keeps me going,” she said.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
