Faith-Based Lupe Takes on All Caregiving Challenges
For Guadalupe “Lupe” Quintanilla, April began so beautifully. She was honored as the Care Professional of the Month at Home Instead® of Midland-Odessa. Lupe basked in the love from her clients and their families, as well as the warmth she also felt at the award-winning franchise owned by Lorena and William Shensky. Then an unexpectedly crushing blow came when Lupe’s 74-year-old mother was severely injured in a horrific vehicle crash near month’s end.
In addition to her highly acclaimed work with her Home Instead clients, Lupe’s 40 years of caregiving skills now will be used as a part-time family caregiver for her mother. “I am not leaving my Home Instead clients,” Lupe said, “but with help of Home Instead’s flexible scheduling and my siblings’ commitment to my mother’s care, my focus will be on my mother’s recovery as much as I can. She had numerous injuries, including serious ones to her back and neck, and she will need to relearn how to walk.”
Lupe added: “One of my sisters lives in Midland and has a big house. When Mom is capable of leaving her rehabilitation facility, we plan to set up a room there for her and take turns caring for her. We are all staying strong for Mom. God is in control.”
Lupe’s trust in God always has served her well. She followed God’s calling to pursue a fulfilling career that has put her in position to help others since the 1980s. When asked how life has transpired for her since joining Home Instead on Nov. 7, 2023, Lupe said: “I like Home Instead. My thing is, I like to bless my clients. One day I might need help from someone if I reach that age and condition. I hope I will get someone who will be as compassionate and caring as I am. Being in professional senior care feels like living a life based on the expression ‘paying it forward.’ And, if needed, it doesn’t hurt to do a little extra for someone.”
Home Instead Human Resources Director, Assistant Administrator and Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator Imelda Hawkins said: “Lupe is dedicated and compassionate, and her unwavering love for seniors and their families is expressed in her commitment to them. Lupe embodies our core values of ‘Build Trust, Take the Lead and Share Your Heart.’ She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being and happiness of her clients.”
Imelda added: “Lupe possesses a number of invaluable years of experience, which make her a top-tier Care Pro. It was with great joy and gratitude that I was thrilled to announce Lupe as our April 2024 Care Pro of the Month. Lupe is not just an asset to our team, she is a blessing wherever she goes!”
One of Lupe’s clients has bonded so well with her that she and her husband have said they don’t want anyone else to take care of the female client. “I am part of their family. She is bedbound. I work Monday through Friday and squeeze in as many things as I can with her, including bed baths, light housekeeping, personal care, companionship and other things. There is no dementia, and we communicate well. There are good conversations. She is always happy to see me. Every time I come in the door, her eyes light up.”
Lupe sometimes stays with the client after the end of the shift if she senses she is needed. “One time when I stayed late, it was simply God’s timing. I was finishing something up when I heard her struggling in the other room. She aspirated food and was panicking because she thought she would choke. I calmed her down and cleaned her up. I stayed later to help do all of this. I didn’t mind because it was God’s timing. God is our rock, and I have related that when I have discussed medical challenges with others. With God, all things are possible.”
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.
