Angie Followed Beloved Grandmother Into Caregiving Career
Long before Angie Whitener joined Home Instead® of Mount Airy, she became a CNA and pursued a position on a skilled nursing floor where she could work with her grandmother, who also was a CNA. That was no surprise to anyone who knew Angie, because she had been raised by her grandparents. Angie’s grandmother was the ultimate role model.
Sadly, Angie’s grandmother was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx after they had worked together for a while. “When she got sick, I quit as a CNA to help her. I had been a CNA for about seven years before I took care of my grandmother for about five years. Breathing was an issue for her. She was not confident in public because she mostly lost her voice. I went everywhere with her,” Angie recalled.
In 2017, Angie’s grandmother passed away. Then, in July 2019, Angie’s grandfather died. The cause of death? Angie believes it was a broken heart, because her grandparents had been married for 54 years. “After Grandma died, Grandpa was completely devastated. While he was a farmer, she had handled every other aspect of life for him,” Angie explained. “Elderly spouses often grieve themselves to death after the other spouse dies. That is especially so with the men because they depend so deeply on their wives. For my part, I have never gotten over losing my grandparents.”
About a year ago during an online search, Angie saw the award-winning Home Instead franchise that is co-owned by Ann and Van Lankford. Angie had been serving as a private-duty caregiver for a year and a half when she joined Home Instead on May 17, 2023. “I was looking to get back into this line of work while finding a good employer. I have kept my hand in private-duty work, too,” Angie said. “Working for Home Instead helps fill the void of losing both of my grandparents. This job really helps. I give my heart to my clients in the same way I gave it to my grandparents.”
Whether they are young or old, Angie has a well-known reputation as a caregiver. “I am the oldest of five kids. I helped raise my siblings. I watched a lot of other kids as a babysitter when I was young. I always was wanted by parents as a babysitter for their kids. So, I’ve always taken care of people,” said Angie, who has two daughters and three grandchildren. “The neighborhood joke has been, when the school bus stops at Angie’s home, how many kids will get off and stay?”
Just a few days short of her first anniversary with Home Instead, Angie was honored as the franchise’s April Care Professional of the Month. While announcing Angie’s award, Staff Coordinator Sharon Bledsoe said: “Our team is so excited for Angie. She has made such an impact on her client.”
Angie’s first client with Home Instead is still her primary client, assisting her from Monday through Saturday. Angie also is the 86-year-old client’s first Care Pro. The client has good mobility and does not need a walker or cane, but she has dementia. She still handles personal care by herself. But, with the dementia, there is a certain amount of confusion.
“She recognizes me every day, although she may not remember my name. We work well together. My client is with her sister when I am not assisting her,” Angie said. “She is excited to see me when she finishes her breakfast with her sister. Our consistent routine keeps things familiar for her. Change is not good. She worries about her sister. It would be a blessing if I could take care of both of them someday.”
The client loves to do yard work and tend to her garden of flowers. “She likes to go out and pick up sticks in her yard. She also likes to go on car rides,” Angie said.
“She doesn’t say a whole lot but talks about her family and certain events. She remembers how she, her sister and two boys climbed Pilot Knob, 16 miles southeast of Mount Airy, when they were young. I hear the same story almost every day. It is her favorite.”
If that long-ago outing is her client’s favorite story, it also is Angie’s favorite. She listens intently as if she is hearing about the adventure for the very first time. Angie said: “I’ll stay with Home Instead as long as she is my client. I would never leave her.”
