Despite a few scattered showers, FirstLight Home Care showed their determination to reward their team, who sacrifice their time for the needs of others, during their annual Employee Appreciation Day.
“They work hard,” said co-owner Jim Alex. “I don’t know if they are ever thanked as much as they should be, so this is a good way to show our appreciation. Sometimes when you’re busy, you overlook or take for granted the things other people are doing to make the company successful.”
FirstLight provides in-home care to its clients, whether they need a two-hour session or 24-hour attention. That means some of the CNAs are working the nights and weekends that their families regard as free time. They stay graceful through dementia episodes and smile through frustrated insults. They recognize the struggle that their clients are going through.
“These girls have compassion and not everyone can do that,” said Human Resources Coordinator Kristi Calder. “We could tell them that, but to show them is the most important thing.”
“Caregiving is more than a job,” said Danielle Webb, First Light’s Regional Care Coordinator. “It’s expressing who you are. They have to have a passion for this, and truly care about people.”
To CNA Rebecca Driver, being a caregiver is everything. “I love to do it, it means the world to me. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she explained.
Her clients are invited to Appreciation Day as well, to let them know that FirstLight realizes their role in keeping the business alive. “It shows that the company cares about the clients,” Driver said. “And we like thank the clients for trusting our company.”
Kailee Diehl has been a caregiver with FirstLight for about a month. “I think they’re really good,” she said. “At my other jobs, I’ve never had a picnics. I’ve never even called my boss before, and known that they care.”
FirstLight is a company of relationships, trust, and compassion. Every person in its network, be they client or owner, appreciates the role each other part plays.
Sandra Miljkovic was a client in need of full-time care; and as a result of the commitment of her caregivers, Sandy is now down to a few sessions of assistance a week.
“Everything had piled up at once,” she said. “I had no more family in the area. It felt so good to have someone there with me, like family,: said Sandy. “I wasn’t judged, they were friendly and never mean. They told me everything would be alright.”
Sandy was in a panic when a third party contacted FirstLight for her. They had a caregiver there in what felt like minutes.
“I’m very thankful for all the people I’ve known and visited, and whom have come out to me.”
For more information on FirstLight Home Care of Northwest Indiana, click here.