Home Helpers of Hinsdale's lead caregiver Teresa Phillips values her relationships with clients, a quality that helped earn her national recognition in the industry. (Jim Slonoff photo)
The heart is traditionally regarded as the wellspring of compassion. For professional caregiver Teresa Phillips, real TLC starts with open ears.
"Listening and understanding," said the lead caregiver and 12-year employee of Home Helpers Home Care of Hinsdale. "I believe that if you put yourself in (your client's) shoes, you can understand what they're going through."
Phillips' commitment to soul-nurturing service earned her a spot among the finalists for the Home Care Association of America 2024 Caregiver of the Year Award. One of the testimonies in support of Phillip's nomination came from a client's daughter.
"My mom's face would light up when she knew Teresa was coming," she wrote. "Some weekends she would be uncomfortable, but on Monday morning her mood changed when Teresa walked in."
Phillips said the honor, conferred from among 500 nominees, caught her off guard.
"I was blown away," she said. "It's beautiful to see that what you do is recognized."
Those mood-elevating connections Phillips makes don't result from simply following the job description.
"I just do what I feel is the right thing to do. I try to treat people like they're my family," she said. "I feel like if you treat them like they're your loved ones, you going to care for them exceptionally well."
Once a level of trust with a client has been established, she's better able to guide the treatment of the individual.
"I don't do anything to them until I make them feel comfortable with me," Phillips explained. "We'll try one step at a time to do what we need to do."
Phillips said caregiving was a natural fit when she embarked on her career more than 20 years ago. Learning to navigate sometimes prickly family dynamics and client skepticism, however, tested her people skills.
"I had to learn to deal with these different personalities," she related.
Promoted to lead caregiver two years ago, Phillips now trains younger colleagues on necessary skills - like using a gait belt and shower assists - and comes alongside them with her experienced wisdom to resolve challenging situations.
"Not only do I talk to the family and the caregiver, I talk to the client," she said. "I'll ask, 'Do you want this caregiver to take care of you? Do you want your daughter to be involved? What do you want?' And they can give a lot of input if you listen.
"My job is to make the caregivers' jobs easier because it's such a tough job," Phillips added.
Grappling with the death of clients with whom personal bonds have formed is never easy, Phillips acknowledged.
"Take it as if it's your loved one. Attend the service. Give your respects to the family. Be there for them," she said.
Phillips is gratified that her daughter has followed her into the caregiving field and hopes she finds it just as rewarding.
"The smile on (clients') faces and that show of accomplishment that they actually did something that they were afraid to do, it's a great feeling."
