Audrey Leonard

audrey

October 22, 2020

Hi, I’m Audrey Leonard, a Certified Home Health Aide, (HHA) at Westchester Family Care Inc. (WFC). For 35 years, I’ve been a caregiver for seniors, working both at healthcare facilities and with in-home with clients aging in place. I’ve been with WFC since they opened their doors and feel like I’ve found a home with the best agency. They have it all together.

I’ve had a passion for working with the elderly since I was very young. I always found myself hanging around the elders in my family who taught me to treat all people with love and kindness. I do love working with seniors – I’ve learned so much from their elderly wisdom. And I find that most families like me. I am always helping others, and I thank God for it. I’d rather make someone smile than making money. This is who I am.

I always wanted to be a nurse. I started out working for five years with in-home clients. Then, I worked as a Senior Nursing Assistant at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. I enjoyed working at the hospital; I worked there for 25 years. During that time, I took the training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

I learned a lot working at the hospital. Unfortunately, after 25 years, the hospital had a massive layoff, and I became unemployed. Luckily, a friend told me about Westchester Family Care opening in Mamaroneck. I was one of the first caregivers hired, and it was a blessing. Glenn Lane is awesome and, when you have someone as phenomenal as him running the company, he attracts and hires top, experienced people. Plus, I was able to obtain my HHA certification through their free training program.

Melanie and her HR staff and the coordinators Ken and Melissa work hard to match me with the right client, someone that fits with my personality. I consider myself a ‘people person’ who is open-minded, experienced, and gets along with everybody.

I’ve had great experiences with WFC clients. I like to keep busy and the best clients appreciate my taking care of them and providing them with companionship. I worked with one client for 3½ years who lived at the Atria Woodlands in Ardsley. We had a fun time together. We became friends – we’d go shopping and buy clothes together. She and her children made me feel like family. She passed a few months ago, and I miss her.

I’ve been working 8-hour days / Monday – Friday at WFC, unlike the hospital where I put in 12-hour shifts. I prefer and enjoy working in a home setting because you’re able to bond with the client and actually have a family-like relationship. I feel more needed and can do my job more efficiently too.

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Meet Our Team

I’ve had continuous work at WFC since I began 5 years ago, even during the COVID crisis. On top of that, they offer ongoing training to keep you professionally up to date. The staff has excellent and regular communication with the caregivers that keep us informed on policies and what’s going on inside WFC. They are really on point.

Here’s another thing I like about WFC: Glenn and his staff are fair. I have referred two friends who work here now.

I would never go back to work in a hospital. These days, there’s too much pressure on the nursing staff – they are all working long shifts for longer periods. And Nursing Homes are just sad: even before COVID, relatives don’t visit, and the patients lose their minds.

Nowadays, people are staying in their homes where it’s safer. Glenn has everything a client could need. When you treat people with compassion and stay focused, you’re going to succeed down the line.