Juanita Holden

Home Health Aide, VNS Health

As a Home Health Aide who’s been caring for people for 16 years, Juanita Holden of VNS Health has seen the value of care firsthand for her clients. “We all get old one day,” she said. “And when someone needs care, we have to do the best we can.”

Ten years ago, Juanita was diagnosed with prediabetes. As the daughter of a father who lived with diabetes, she knows how important it is to take care of yourself when you have it. That’s why she’s thankful for her 1199SEIU health benefits, which allow her to see her doctors without a co-pay. Juanita sees her primary care physician every three months, as well as keeping regular appointments with her eye doctor and dentist. “I want to make sure I stay on top of all aspects of my health,” she said. “So, I need to see the whole picture.”

Juanita is the mother of three children and a grandmother, so she believes in doing everything she can to remain healthy. That’s why she uses her health benefits to make sure she stays up to date on the health screenings her primary care doctor recommends. She believes in the power of preventive tests because catching potential problems early means you can care for them before they become serious. “When my doctor tells me I’m due for tests, I get them,” she said. And while she understands that people may be fearful of health screenings, she takes the opposite approach. “I feel really good when I hear everything is okay.”

Juanita works hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She takes her medication as prescribed, eats plenty of vegetables and has cut down on her rice and bread intake. But that doesn’t prevent her from enjoying what she eats. “I like to steam my fish and vegetables,” she said. “But I soak what I cook in tomatoes, onions and garlic, which gives it a nice flavor.”

She also walks a lot, getting off the bus early and walking the last 10 blocks to and from work, as well as taking regular walks in the park. “I try to do 12 laps,” she said. “Walking and getting exercise always makes me feel very refreshed.”

Juanita is proud that her hard work has paid off—she’s lost nearly 60 pounds! And that’s allowed her to dream about her future. Since she enjoys cooking healthy food, Juanita said she thinks about taking a bold new step. “I’d love to open up a restaurant someday,” she said. “As long as I feel good, who knows what the future may hold!”