Two-Time Honoree Martha Embraces a Life of Service
“I have dedicated the rest of my life to helping people. I am going to keep working as long as God allows me. I feel He has directed my course to this type of job.”
– Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Martha Morgan
Martha has been honored twice since November 2024 while working for Home Instead of San Angelo, Texas, a sister franchise of Home Instead of Midland-Odessa. Lorena and William Shensky own both award-winning franchises that serve the Permian Basin region. The driving force behind Martha’s enthusiasm for her work has come from her unspeakable family tragedies. Martha’s husband and all three of her sons died from Huntington’s disease during an 11-year period. Five years after the final death, Martha joined Home Instead on April 25, 2024.
“I feel I am in God’s will – walking with Him – to take care of seniors and their family members,” said Martha, who earned her second Home Instead honor in May 2025. “God gives me the strength to do this, and He is good all the time. God never gives you more than you can handle. We serve an awesome God.”
Martha added: “I love my job, and Home Instead is a good employer. I always put my clients first and then myself second. As Care Pros, we are directed to have a professional relationship with the clients, but we – most of the clients and I – become part of a family. Some of them don’t have family members in this area and are basically all alone, and I am aware of that. I tell them, ‘I am here for you.’ ”
Martha’s clients range in age from 80 to 90, and she has four regular clients while working nearly every day of the week. Martha, who also takes as many fill-in shifts as possible, said she feels fulfilled to have so many clients and their families counting on her. Martha, whose daughter is a registered nurse in San Antonio, still has some family caregiving considerations because her mother has dementia and lives with Martha’s sister in San Angelo.
“I’ve had two or three clients since I started with Home Instead. They are always requesting me. I try to give them what they are asking for, and some just crave companionship. They depend on me and are disappointed if I’m not there,” Martha said. “Sometimes the scheduling does not allow me to be in two places at the same time. That is when a decision must be made about who needs the most care and has the most challenging situation. Some of them are not doing well, and I am there for them. One client is in hospice.”
Some of Martha’s clients are self-conscious about their medical conditions, but Martha is empathetic and reassuring. She said: “I emphasize to them that there is no shame in growing older and facing more challenges. We’re all human beings, and we’ll all go through the same things if God permits us to grow to an older age. I tell them, ‘I might face the same difficulties years from now.’ Caregiving also can involve teamwork. When other Care Pros and I are helping the same client at different times, we must always emphasize working together and staying on the same page because the clients need us to do that. The theme has to be ‘we’re here for you.’ ”
Martha said all her shifts are memorable for one reason or another. “I have several retired military veterans, and I love them and generally assist two or three of them each week. I like their stories. It gives you shivers when they tell you what they’ve been through. In two cases, I am assisting the wives of two military veterans. I have driven veterans to medical facilities that are outside of San Angelo, including Odessa or Abilene, depending on their need,” Martha said.
Home Instead Engagement and Training Coordinator Rozephyr Jean praised Martha as a uniquely gifted Care Pro who has a servant’s heart. “Martha brings heart, dedication and unwavering compassion to everything she does. Her gentle spirit, dependable care and ability to make others feel truly seen and valued have made a lasting impact on her clients and our team. Whether it’s a kind word, a steady hand or a warm smile, Martha goes above and beyond every day. We’re incredibly grateful for the joy and comfort she brings to the people she serves,” said Rozephyr, who handles her role for the Shenskys’ franchises that are 115 miles apart.
Another Home Instead staff member revealed that the San Angelo schedulers ask for Martha first when they need someone to take a fill-in shift. “Unless it is absolutely impossible,” Martha explained, “I never refuse their request. Just as I was there for my loved ones, and I am here now for my Home Instead clients. I want my clients to know they don’t have to go through their challenges alone, and they shouldn’t give up. Finally, I pray for clients.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (325) 644-8387 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
