2014 Caregiver of the Quarter - Fourth Quarter

Gifty was proud of the work she did while serving as a certified nursing assistant at an area nursing home. But she always felt she could be doing more.

“The nursing home is such a busy place. I found myself wishing for more time to spend with people,” she said.

In 2007, she found Home Helpers of Hinsdale, and that’s when her wish came true.

Gifty spends her days caring for a couple in nearby Western Springs. She provides personal care for the husband, and companionship and assistance for his wife. Best of all, the couple considers Gifty a friend. And the feeling is mutual.

“If you have time, they will tell you everything,” said Gifty, who enjoys getting to know her clients and hearing about their lives.

Mandy Greco said Gifty makes her job as care manager easier because she knows that anyone in Gifty’s care is in the very best of hands. When a problem arises, Gifty doesn’t hesitate to reach out for help and to report the issue to her supervisors, Greco said.

Greco said Gifty is always finding new ways to help her clients. When it became difficult to transport her client to his weekly doctor appointments, Gifty wasn’t about to give up.

“She really went above and beyond in assisting with a way to safely get him in and out of the home. This was an ongoing problem for them and she really made his life easier,” Greco said.

Gifty makes every day a little easier for her clients. That includes Christmas. In the weeks approaching the holiday, Gifty assisted her clients in wrapping gifts and decorating. Whatever her clients’ needs, Gifty is there to help.

“I just love working for Home Helpers,” Gifty said. “This is the job I’ve always really wanted.”

Learn how you, like Gifty, can make a difference in someone’s life by joining the Home Helpers team of caregivers.