A Tradition of Great Caregiving
The Mary Steibel CAREGiverSM of the Year Award inspires CAREGivers to strive for excellence. It creates a sense of pride in the fact that the Home Instead Senior Care ® franchise network recognizes, appreciates and rewards their hard work, dedication and service to others. Meet the Home Instead Senior CAREGiver of the Year.
Barbara Maxwell, CAREGiver of the Year 2009
West Region
"I didn't want a job just for the sake of having a job. I wanted something I'd really love doing." So said Barbara Maxwell, West Region CAREGiver of the Year for 2008, about joining the Home Instead Senior Care Omaha Service Office in early 2006.
This decision represented a change in Maxwell's professional path, which, until then, had focused mainly upon working with young people or in the private sector. For example, at prior points in her life, after moving from Lincoln, NE to Houston, TX, she had served as a teacher's aide at an elementary school, and as an executive secretary for an international CPA firm.
To a great extent, her ultimate choice to become a Home Instead CAREGiver resulted from Maxwell's very close relationship with her mother--who was, almost certainly, the one person who had influenced her daughter's life the most significantly.
"I learned empathy and patience when my mother was paralyzed by polio, the first case in San Diego County in 1950. I was eight, and once mom came home from the hospital after three months there, my two younger sisters and I did all we could to help," she said. "In fact, when I was sure that I had been hired by Home Instead Senior Care, I called my mother and told her that I was going to be a CAREGiver. She said, 'You'll do fine. You always were so good with me.' It made me feel as if I was doing the right thing."
Some three years later, it's quite apparent that professionally, Maxwell truly is doing the right thing. "I was so honored to find out I'd been selected as the regional CAREGiver of the Year," she said. "I'm still stunned to have been chosen for this award."
Adding poignancy to this distinction is the fact that the same day Maxwell joined the staff at the Omaha Service Office--April 11, 2006--her beloved mother died. In Maxwell's words, "When I called my sister Janie in California to tell her that I'd been given this award, she said, 'Hold on a minute; I'm going to tell mom.' Facing mom's urn, Janie said, 'Mom, Barbara's been named a 2008 Regional CAREGiver of the Year.'"
Based upon the nomination paperwork submitted by the Omaha office--the first Home Instead Senior Care franchise, still owned by Co-Founders Lori and Paul Hogan--it's no surprise that Maxwell has reached the very top of her profession. This narrative celebrates the fact that, "She has heart, true heart, that helps her build amazing relationships with her clients." It also asserts that Maxwell "is one who motivates, encourages, and lifts the spirits of the seniors she encounters."
When asked to talk about her most memorable clients, Maxwell cites two, both of whom are now deceased. The first was a World War II veteran. "He enjoyed telling me stories about his wartime experiences, so I decided to bring my laptop computer with me to his house to take notes as he talked," Maxwell explained. "I located photos, his Bronze Star, his uniform patches, and a picture of him in his Army uniform when he was 22. I used it all to make a scrapbook which I gave to him on his 90th birthday in October 2007."
The other client was a woman who all her life had been a singer, so each week, Maxwell--who also is musical--started bringing with her lyrics to old songs which then provided material for their hours-long duets. In addition, in the words of the woman's daughter, "My mother and Barbara always topped off their Saturdays in style with the anticipated delicacy of Lawrence Welk... singing along to the tunes of my mom's era."
This was yet another case in which Maxwell used her computer to provide outstanding client care. This senior's daughter wrote, "When Barbara acquired her new laptop, she was so happy and proud and immediately put it to use for the happiness of others. She would go to the library and check out DVDs of the best musicals: 'Guys and Dolls'; 'Carousel'; 'Oklahoma'; and 'South Pacific,' and bring them to share with my mom."
In fact, in this case, CAREGiver and client became so close that Maxwell spoke at this woman's funeral in mid-2008. Maxwell's remarks included these observations: "People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I understand the reason that [this client] came into my life. Now, my season as one of her many CAREGivers has come to an end. I will cherish the memory of our time together. I miss her very much already."
So what characteristics does Maxwell believe helps her succeed as a Home Instead CAREGiver? "Well, I love learning new things, and I use my skills and talents to serve my clients. In addition, after living in various parts of the U.S., I've learned how to interact with people of different backgrounds, interests, and beliefs" she said. "We're alike in many ways and yet we're all unique--so I enjoy forging strong relationships with these seniors, who have become friends."
Maxwell believes that these strong relationships benefit these clients' loved ones, as well. "Their families need the respite that we can provide, so they can have some time when they're not actively responsible for caregiving," she said. "And they need to know that it's okay to have someone like me to help them out."
It certainly appears as if Maxwell's enthusiasm for the job is innate--something that she brings to every client interaction every day, and will continue to do so. "My clients are all great, no matter what their ages or their capacities," she said. "I love them; I love the company; and I love being a CAREGiver."
2008 Regional CAREGivers of the Year
Past CAREGivers of the Year