Terri Robbins
Terri Robbins is president and owner of Assisting Hands® Home Care Houston. Knowing her story means you will know her company.
The only daughter with three brothers, and many aunts, uncles and cousins, Robbins grew up in a family so large that caring for family members was somewhat of a regular occurrence. Little did she know that this part of her life would influence her professional life.
By the time Robbins became an adult, she had realized Houston’s hospice services left much to be desired. Robbins and her mother, Clair Gulsby, dreamed of owning a hospice company together. In the mid 1990’s, before their dream came true, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
From first-hand experience caring for her mother, Robbins brings her compassion and experience to serve every client family.
A stay-at-home mom at the time, Robbins became the primary caregiver for her mom. For nearly three years while her children were in school, Robbins bathed and dressed her, prepared meals, and tidied up the home. Every day around 3:00, when Robbins left to pick up her children, her mom was left in the care of her dad, sister-in-law or other family members.
In 1998 Gulsby lost her valiant battle against breast cancer.
After her mom died in 1998, Robbins and her sister-in-law, Shannon Gulsby, became involved in breast cancer advocacy. They raised $200,000 and established the Clair Gulsby Patient Care Fund at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Robbins also became involved in the Baylor Breast Council, and was named Woman of the Year in 2002-03 for her advocacy work.
The experience of taking care of her mom transformed Terri into a patient advocate. For instance, she believes that not enough safety nets exists for patients when they are discharged from a hospital and families are scrambling to find in-home care.
Robbins and her staff are honored each and every day to help those in need live with dignity in their own home for as long as possible.