Caregiver: Frances HM.

A Caring Champion 2013 Nominee

By Nominated by Sue, employer/supervisor

Employer: Homewatch CareGivers of Summerlin

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Inspiration for this Nomination:

Not only does Frances go above and beyond as part of her every day routine, absolutely every client she touches not only remembers her, and requests her over and over again - they LOVE her. It doesn't matter if she's going to a client's for light housekeeping or to assist them in bathing, she makes everyone feel special and loved. Whenever we call Frances to ask her to cover a shift, and we ask her how she is, she replies "I'm blessed". She is blessed and she spreads it around.

Caregiver's Best Skills and Attributes:

Frances has been with us for just over one year, she began her journey with us in July 2012. She was previously employed with a doctor's office as a medical assistant and prior to that a singer with Wayne Newton's show. Frances has a calming and serene personality. Just talking to her for a few moments, you'll see what I mean. She is beautiful inside and out and always quick with a kind word and a hug. She is one of our best caregivers. Caregiving is her calling.

Feedback About This Caregiver:

One of France's current clients was diagnosed with dementia in 2009 and his wife has been his primary caregiver. She recently wrote to us saying "Since Frances has been Leo's caregiver, I have lost the guilt that I felt leaving my husband and now feel comfortable going 4 to 6 hours at a time. His anxiety is gone and so is mine." Another client's daughter recently sent us the following: "Frances makes my mom feel less alone in her home. My mom looks forward to her visits and calls me afterward to say, Frances is really something else. I am in healthcare and know the value of a caregiver that goes above and beyond for the geriatric population."

More About This Caregiver:

We have teamed her with other caregivers, and she becomes the leader providing everyone with instructions on what needs to be done and how it should be done. She is respected for her take charge attitude, her peers respect her opinions and her experience. She treats her co-workers just as genuinely as she does her clients.

One of Frances's most difficult client situations was caring for a husband and wife whose family lived 12 hours away and could only come 1 to 2 times per month. The husband had dementia and the wife was bedfast. The wife was very private and it took a few weeks to built a trusting relationship. Eventually, the husband was moved into to home for dementia patients and Frances then took care of the wife. As the weeks became months, the bond between the two strengthened. Frances was with this client when she died. As the family said "there is no questions in our minds that Frances is an angel...and such was sent especially to be the right person...at the right time...for our Mom."