Ruth’s Work Translates Into Compassionate Care for Clients
Compassion and empathy are understood in any culture. By providing excellent care to suit each of the unique needs of her clients, Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Ruth O’Campo could not be a better example of someone whose body of work transcends language barriers.
“My client and I understand each other very well despite our language differences. He speaks English. My primary language is Spanish, with a hint of English that has a good Mexican accent. He has learned a few words in Spanish and laughs because the pronunciation seems strange to him. Ironically, one of the board games he likes to play is Chinese checkers,” Ruth said.
Ruth joined Home Instead of Midland-Odessa on Nov. 3, 2023. She arrived at the award-winning franchise with her Veterans Administration client after switching from a different agency. “Ruth is a godsend! She knows very little English, but she has not let that detour her from providing great care. Ruth’s caregiving skills are unmatched when you see her at work with her client, who is bedbound,” said Imelda Hawkins, the human resources director, assistant administrator, and recruitment and engagement coordinator at Home Instead.
Ruth further explained: “Almost a year ago, I started helping my friend J. at his request. J. wanted me to continue being his caregiver, so I applied for Home Instead. Now I work for Home Instead and have met other clients.” Imelda pointed out: “Ruth’s reliability is her top priority because of her client’s needs. Quite often, Ruth goes above and beyond the call of duty for him. The way she shares her heart with her client has gained trust with his family as well.”
Ruth found her niche as a family caregiver. “I started taking care of relatives, including an uncle, a grandfather, a father-in-law and also a friend,” Ruth said. “Then I worked for another company in Odessa for a while before coming to Home Instead.”
She added: “Since I started in the workforce, I have liked helping people with special needs, from personal care to simply sharing my time with them. Some of them feel alone. They all have something different that makes them unique. For example, one client hates the cold and refuses to shower in winter, always complaining that everything from wet wipes to spray deodorant is super cold. I have had sad, serious and even funny moments with them.”
Ruth loves being a part of the Care Pro team for the West Texas franchise, a member of a network comprised of Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. Lorena and William Shensky have owned their Midland-Odessa franchise since March 1, 2020.
With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and Care Pros. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Pros across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide.
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.
