For Tangi, caregiving didn’t start as a career choice — it began as a way of life. At just 8 years old, she was looking after the 5-year-old boy next door, making his breakfast, helping him get dressed for school, walking him there, and starting dinner before his parents came home. Growing up as one of five siblings, caring for others was simply part of her everyday routine.
As an adult, that instinct to help only grew stronger. When her grandmother became gravely ill and doctors said she had only two weeks to live, Tangi and her husband brought her home. They cared for her through dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other health challenges — and with the entire family’s help, she lived another six years instead of two weeks as the hospital had given her. “It was an honor to have my family trust me with her care,” she recalls. “I really enjoyed every moment I had with her.”
Our amazing caregiver shows that compassion and joy extend beyond the workplace! Whether she’s caring for seniors or enjoying a peaceful day fishing, her positivity and zest for life shine through.
Life wasn’t without hardship. While raising her six children, Tangi’s husband of 34 years faced an accident and a subsequent relapse into addiction after 13 years of sobriety. During that time, a family from her church also asked her to help care for their elderly parents — the mother battling leukemia and dementia, and the father needing support to remain at home. She took on everything they needed, from doctor’s appointments and meal preparation to laundry, cleaning, and even mowing the lawn. She loved knowing she was making it possible for them to stay in the place they loved most.
Word spread, and soon she was caring for multiple families in Bourbon, providing everything from bathing assistance to household upkeep. She often donated her time to those who couldn’t afford help, trusting God to meet her own needs. Between caregiving, she ran childcare from her home then moved it to a local church as their director, educating more than 80 children in their ministry, as well as catering events and serving her church community.
After her husband lost his battle with COPD in September of 2024, her path to Senior1Care began unexpectedly. While catering a party, she met Executive Director Nancy Fanning, who told her about the company. She prayed about it and felt peace about applying, knowing it would allow her to work with both children and seniors — the two groups closest to her heart. She joined Senior1Care in October 2024 and quickly became a beloved member of the team.
When the opportunity arose to take CNA classes, she hesitated. She had left school early to raise her family, later finishing her high school diploma alongside her oldest son, but she had never pursued a healthcare certification. With her children’s encouragement, she enrolled — and when testing approached, she passed everyone, even overcoming concerns about hearing loss from past surgeries. “Lord, You brought me this far,” she says. “You get all the credit.”
Her caregiving philosophy is simple but profound: Treat each client with respect, comfort, and love. She knows no one asks for illness or frailty, and she sees her role as giving them the best quality of life possible. “No one wants to pass away in a hospital,” she says. “Anything I can do to make them comfortable at home is what I’m here for.”
Outside of work, Tangi treasures her large and growing family — soon to welcome her 10th grandchild. She enjoys decorating, fishing (recently catching a record-setting bass with a special friend from her past), and mentoring others in her church. Her self-care comes through giving back, worship, and being part of a supportive faith community.
Our incredible caregivers show that teamwork, resilience, and joy go hand in hand—both on and off the job! From caring for others to conquering challenges together, their spirit truly shines.
“When I go into a home, I want people to experience the love of God through me,” she says. “If they can see hope, even for a short time, then I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do.”
