07/22/2025
Checkmate: Clientās Competitive Spirit Sparks Juliettaās Smiles
Home InsteadĀ® Care Professional Juliettaās client will do just about anything to win a game of checkers or chess. The twice-honored Care Pro of the Month knows it, and she delights at her clientās intensity and tactics.
Julietta explained: āMy client revels in winning at checkers and chess. So, anytime he senses a possible defeat, the rules change. Heāll start making chess moves in checkers, and checker moves in chess. If my client is feeling particularly mischievous, heāll make me go to the kitchen, then move the gameboard pieces around to throw me off. Heās an opportunist and will cheat if you give him a chance. But that is OK. I just smile, maybe giggle.ā
The staff at Home Instead of Metairie, Louisiana, loves Juliettaās easy, good-natured personality and compassionate attitude, which are among her many positive attributes. On July 14, 2020, Julietta joined owner Lisa Rabitoās award-winning Home Instead franchise that serves the Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Julietta was honored as the Care Pro of the Month in April 2021 and again in June 2025.
Home Instead Human Resources Representative Lynne-Marie Ruckert offered: āThere are so many things we can say about Julietta. She has a quiet strength and even in her own adversity, she can persevere and continue showing up for her clients daily. She has assisted one client for her entire Home Instead tenure. She doesnāt just show up ā she steps up. When her client was hospitalized, she was the one who noticed his medical crisis, acted and made sure he got urgent care. Her dedication quite literally saved his life.ā
Julietta is caring for a new client because her regular client is hospitalized and undergoing rehabilitation. The new client said that, from the minute she met Julietta, she knew Julietta was special. Relationships are made and bonding comes quickly because Julietta always asks clients to tell her exactly what they need and want.
Lynne-Marie added: āWhen I presented Juliettaās certificate, the client was thrilled even though Julietta had been caring for her for only five days. The client wanted to see Juliettaās certificate. Inscribed on the certificate is, āAs a Care Professional who best exemplifies dedication to aging adults by providing tireless, compassionate and devoted service to Home Instead clients and the community ā¦ ā Her client said, āJulietta embodies all of those things!ā ā
Discussing her Home Instead story from the beginning five years ago, Julietta said: āI remember seeing a Home Instead TV commercial, and I love helping seniors. Connecting those things, I applied for a job. While caregiving is my current profession, I was a hairstylist in my native Saint Lucia, which is an Eastern Caribbean island nation. In Saint Lucia, family members take care of each other. So, I always had to be taking care of someone. It was usually my mom, my dad, a grand aunt, a grand uncle or close friends.ā
Juliettaās clients are like family. She said: āThe best thing about my job is knowing I can make my clients happy and secure in their own homes. Simple pleasures really turn out to be impactful for most clients. For example, one client and I often would sit by the window and look out. He always said, āWhat a beautiful day. It is still. Nobody is walking by, no vehicles are driving past us and there are no animals.ā I could not disagree with him.ā
Julietta is among more than 100,000 Care Pros worldwide, and she has helped add to those numbers because of her strong belief in Home Insteadās purpose and core values. Those core values are: āHonor God in all we do; Treat each other with dignity and respect; Encourage growth in ourselves and others; Build value in our service to others.ā
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call 504-455-4911 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
