Right at Home’s Caregiver of the Year Program Honors Professional Caregivers
Kevin Campion
Senior Recovery Peer Advocate at CN Guidance and Counseling Services, Inc
Steadfast. Hardworking. Dedicated. Countless words describe the untiring commitment of the professional in-home caregivers who provide personal health support for seniors and disabled adults across America—wherever care recipients call home.
Working in tandem with care recipients and their families, elder care professionals ensure the highest quality of care for each care recipient while relieving stress and care duties for family caregivers. The Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 study, conducted by the AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving, reports that almost 40 percent of surveyed family caregivers consider their caregiving emotionally stressful, and nearly a quarter of care participants say caregiving is adversely affecting their own health. Adult home care providers allow family caregivers time and energy to blend in self-care with their care role.
Recognizing professional caregivers’ invaluable benefit to care families, the Right at Home franchise system established its Caregiver of the Year program to honor at-home care professionals’ contribution to the home care industry. The leading senior care company’s awards spotlight its 20,000 U.S. caregivers who compassionately deliver extraordinary care to clients. Annually, Right at Home specifically salutes five of these caregivers through one national and four regional awards.
When a family entrusts a loved one’s well-being to a senior care professional, the care provider often becomes a vital confidante and trusted family friend. The following are ways to express gratitude to a professional caregiver:
- Simply make it a habit to say "thank you for your help."
- Buy or make a thank-you card and include a handwritten note of appreciation.
- Treat the caregiver to a gift card for dinner, movie, coffee, etc.
- Recognize the caregiver's birthday.
- Share "a job well done" an other kudos with the caregiver's manager.
What suggestions do you have for recognizing and applauding excellence by professional caregivers?