Home Instead

10/03/2025

💜 In Loving Memory of Melva Lorraine Peterson 💜

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Melva Peterson. Melva was not only an incredible Care Professional with Home Instead in Des Moines for 21 years, but also a mentor and guide to so many of us. She poured her heart into caregiving, and her compassion touched the lives of countless clients, families, and teammates over the years.

Beyond her work, Melva was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. She also built deep connections through her faith, her church, and her cherished women’s groups, who she lovingly called her “sisters.” To know Melva was to be loved by her, and she will be remembered for her kindness, her wisdom, and her unwavering heart.

Melva will always be a part of the Home Instead family, and her legacy of love and caregiving will continue to inspire us each day. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all who were blessed to know her. 💐

09/27/2025

Team Home Instead WALK2END Alzheimer's 2025. It was a crisp morning to assemble as like-minded individuals fighting for a cure to End Alzheimer's. Our Care Professionals work diligently to aid those in our community facing challenges around the disease. Today we celebrate the future of the first survivor and stand together for those living with Alzheimer's today.

09/17/2025

Congratulations to Cindy for being recognized as our Care Pro of the Month!

Cindy’s kindness and compassion are part of what makes her an amazing caregiver. Her clients say that she is “a ray of sunshine” and that she “brightens their day.”

Her communication is top notch and she’s a great team player. Cindy has a strong skill set and this, combined with her empathy, is the perfect combination for our clients to trust they are in good hands while in her care.

Congrats Cindy and thank you!

09/04/2025

This is why we walk. 💜

When Michelle’s dad, Don, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 69, her family’s world changed forever. Over 10 years, she watched him go from living at home with caregivers to assisted living, and eventually to an Alzheimer’s unit before he passed away at age 79.

Earlier this year, dementia touched her family again when Michelle’s mom, Sandy, had a stroke and heart attack that rapidly advanced her dementia. Now in memory care, Michelle visits Sandy every evening. Despite these challenges, she finds gratitude: “Even though my mom has changed, I’m still creating memories with her.”

For Michelle, Walk to End Alzheimer’s is about honoring her parents and connecting with others. Each year, she joins her Home Instead team and others in the senior care community to walk not in sadness, but in hope for a cure.

It’s because of passionate people like Michelle that Home Instead, a Walk to End Alzheimer’s Gold National Team, has raised nearly $5.5 million over the past 17 years — including $280,000 just last year — to advance critical Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.

Together with the , we’re fighting for a future without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Let’s make 2025 our most impactful year yet. 💪

Learn how you can get involved: alz.org/walk 🚶🏽‍♀️

08/29/2025

We walk for our clients. We walk for our families.💜
And this year, we walk with one goal: to help end Alzheimer’s.

At Home Instead, we’ve seen the impact of Alzheimer’s and other dementias firsthand in the homes we visit, in the people we love, and in the lives of those we serve every day. That’s why we’re proud to be a National Team in the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Together, our network has raised nearly $5.5 million over the past 17 years—and more than $280,000 just last year. 🎉 Let’s make 2025 our biggest impact yet.

🌼 Visit the 🔗in bio to make a donation or start a walk team for your Home Instead Office. ⤴

08/28/2025

August Care Pro of the Month

Patty H.
What makes Patty such a great Care Pro is her amazing capacity to connect with her Clients. She looks for ways to build strong, trusting relationships which help her provide comfort and care in difficult situations. Patty is dependable and solid, but also knows when to reach out and ask for help and she is always looking for ways to add to her knowledge and skills to provide the best care possible. Congratulations Patty!

08/25/2025

This past weekend, we celebrated our remarkable Care Professionals at our annual convention, a heartfelt occasion dedicated to recognizing those who care for others. We were graced by inspiring community educators like St. Croix Hospice, The Alzheimer's Association, Iowa Caregivers, The American Parkinson's Disease Association, and NuCara Home Medical. Our keynote speaker, Kerri Bryant of GoForward Counseling, captivated us with a powerful presentation blending love and compassion through personal storytelling. Our professionals had the opportunity to share their own journeys and draw strength from their supportive community of peers. The day was alive with joy, memories captured in photos, and exciting giveaways! We couldn't be prouder of the incredible work our Care Professionals accomplish every single day.

08/14/2025

What is our community saying about our care? Keep reading.

Dear Home Instead Team,

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for the incredible care and support you’ve provided for my Aunt. You stepped in when her family could not, and you’ve been there through all the ups and downs—navigating every challenge with me and always keeping her well-being at heart.

I truly appreciate your patience. I’m grateful for how you handled every situation with professionalism and compassion.

I will never forget my Home Instead experience, and I will always be grateful for the care and dedication you’ve shown my aunt and our family.

08/12/2025

“There’s no do-overs in grief, and so there’s a ton of second guessing in grief.” — Lisa Pahl

It’s never easy to talk about death. But avoiding it? That can leave our loved ones with conflict, confusion, and a heavy burden of “what ifs.”

In this episode of , Dr. Lakelyn sits down with hospice social worker and co-creator of The Death Deck, Lisa Pahl to explore the real consequences of not planning ahead.

Starting the conversation now won’t take away the pain of loss, but it can offer clarity, connection, and peace when it matters most.

🎧 Listen to wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple: https://apple.co/3RuALpz?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fhomeinsteadinc%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F561943606
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cArqqi?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fhomeinsteadinc%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F561943606

08/11/2025

🌟 Meet Dixie! 🌟

She’s the mastermind behind our scheduling magic at Home Instead — pairing the right Care Professional with the right client to make sure every match is a perfect fit. 💡

Dixie thrives on the challenge (and fun!) of balancing schedules, preferences, and skills — and she somehow makes it look easy. When she’s not solving our scheduling puzzle, she’s sipping tea, listening to a good read, and never saying no to a little take-out. 🍜📚☕

Help us give Dixie a big shout-out for all the heart and hard work she puts into caring for our clients and supporting our team! 💜

08/08/2025

Marcey, Dawson and I have the pleasure of representing Home Instead at the Iowa State Conference on Aging today! 🧠💬

We connected with passionate professionals, explored innovative ideas in dementia care, rural support, and aging advocacy — all to better serve older adults in our community. 💜

Grateful to be part of such important conversations that drive real change for aging Iowans!

08/06/2025

08/05/2025

“Families often wait too long to access hospice care. The truth? Hospice can provide months of support—not just days.”

In this clip from our conversation with Lisa Pahl, hospice social worker and co-creator of The Death Deck, we explore the compassionate side of end-of-life care—supporting caregivers, guiding through symptoms, and holding space in life’s most tender moments.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation on Caregiver Chats wherever you get your podcasts. ⤵
Apple: https://apple.co/3RuALpz?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fhomeinsteadinc%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F561941864
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cArqqi?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fhomeinsteadinc%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F561941864

08/05/2025

👋 Meet Melissa — one of the friendly faces making things run smoothly behind the scenes at Home Instead! 💙

As a key part of our care coordination team, Melissa plays a huge role in connecting clients and Care Pros with the support they need, when they need it most. Her passion? Building real relationships with our clients and making a meaningful impact every day.

Want to know if she’s a coffee or tea person? Beach or mountains? 📚 Check out her Speed Round below to learn a little more about her fun side — some of her answers might surprise you! 😉

We’re so lucky to have her on the team! 🙌

08/04/2025

We’ve cooked up something yummy for our care community. 😋🍉 Save this refreshing watermelon feta salad recipe for your next meal prep win. Perfect for warm-weather caregiving days!

✨ Bonus: It comes with meaningful conversation starters to help you connect while you share. ✨

Tag us in your photos enjoying it with your loved one—we’d love to see your summer caregiving moments! ☀️

08/04/2025

Linda is an amazing Care Pro! She can go into any situation and give the client the exceptional and compassionate care they need. She has been with Home Instead for 20 years and has honed incredible skills in building strong relationships, in providing personalized and professional dementia care and compassionate end of life care. She is always willing to lend a helping hand to her team and she is a great advocate for her clients – troubleshooting challenges and looking for ways to enhance their quality of life. Congratulations Linda and thank you for everything you do!

08/04/2025

Another throwback to the one and only Mary Maxwell at our 2009 Convention. With her signature humor, she reminded us what it means to age with dignity—and to laugh along the way (especially when you can’t find your car). 😅💚

07/31/2025

It’s hotter than a pepper sprout out there! 🥵

And while we’re all reaching for iced drinks and fans, older adults need a little extra care to stay safe in the summer heat.

Here’s your caregiver-approved summer safety toolkit for aging loved ones:

💧 Hydrate with variety – Water is essential, but try chilled fruit, herbal iced tea, smoothies, or even popsicles to keep it fun and refreshing.

👒 Dress smart – Light, breathable clothing and wide-brimmed hats help regulate temperature and protect sensitive skin.

🌬️ Cool it down – If there’s no AC, use fans, cold washcloths, or even a bowl of cool water for hands and wrists to provide quick relief.

🌿 Time outdoor activities wisely – Early mornings or evenings are safest. A short stroll, porch chat, or birdwatching can bring joy without overheating.

👂 Connect with care – Sometimes, just being present — listening, sharing a memory, or sitting together — is the best form of comfort.

Let’s keep our older adults safe, seen, and supported this summer.

🔁 Share this post to spread the word about senior summer safety.

07/30/2025

“As a caregiver, you're always juggling three things: independence, safety, and the third we could describe as like joy or comfort.” — Adria Thompson

When you're making decisions on behalf of someone else, the stakes feel higher, and the guilt runs deeper. In this episode of Caregiver Chats, Dr. Lakelyn and Adria unpack the emotional complexity of caregiving and introduce the idea of choosing a priority in the moment.
Whether your loved one is in the early or late stages of dementia, knowing whether to lead with independence, safety, or joy can guide your choices—and ease some of the pressure. 💚 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 https://apple.co/3RuALpz

07/28/2025

Ever ask someone with dementia what they think?

“Do you like this shirt?” “Should I shave my goatee?”

David Troxel does, and here’s why: when you ask for someone’s opinion, it shows you value them. And for those living with dementia, feeling valued goes a long way.

In this moment, David Troxel shares simple ways to connect through kindness, humor, and everyday activities. Because with dementia care, even 30 seconds of connection can brighten their lives. 🧠💚

🔗 Visit the link to learn more: https://bit.ly/4nafqQZ?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fhomeinsteadinc%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F545746360

07/27/2025

🧠 While there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are steps you can take to support brain health.

In this video, Dr. Lakelyn shares simple, science-backed tips for preventive care—like staying socially connected, getting regular exercise, and keeping your mind active.

💜 Small habits can make a big difference.

🎥 Watch and learn easy ways to keep your brain healthy as you age.

👉 Follow us for more brain health and caregiving tips year-round.

07/26/2025

After answering the call to caregiving, Betty June Harp is officially retiring at the vibrant age of 90. 🎉

She’s been the heart of so many meaningful moments with our Louisville team, and while we’ll miss seeing her smile each day, we’re celebrating all she’s given—and all that’s ahead.

Congratulations on your retirement, Betty June. You’re a legend, a light, and yes, finally a lady of leisure. 💜

With all our love,
Your Home Instead family

07/25/2025

Supporting a loved one with dementia doesn’t require grand gestures—it’s often the smallest, most consistent moments that make the biggest difference.

With the right approach, emotional connection, and trusted in-home care, family caregivers can help their loved ones feel secure, included, and appreciated every day.

Learn more about how to help your loved one with dementia feel valued and connected: https://bit.ly/4nafqQZ?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fhomeinsteadinc%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F550116593