Caregiver of the Year Award

Image by terren in Virginia via Flickr

An Annual Event Honoring our Nation’s Family Caregivers Sponsored by Caregiving.com

Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.
~ Alice Mackenzie Swaim

Our annual Caregiver of the Year contest honors the enormous impact of family caregivers in our families and our communities. Launched in 1995, the annual contest puts the spotlight on the importance of the caregiving role.

Congratulations to our 2009 winners:

• Paul Broussard
• Bette Scott
• Pamela Welky Paul
• Mabel Romick
• Patricia Shiu

Here’s our contest works:

1. Who’s eligible?
Anyone caring for a relative, friend or neighbor.

2. What are the rules?
Nominations are accepted annually from October 1 through December 20. Caregivers can be nominated by other caregivers, health care professionals, family, friends, even themselves.

An independent panel of judges chooses five winners based on the following criteria:
–The caregiver’s ability to complement their caregiving responsibilities with their own needs and interests.
–The caregiver’s problem-solving techniques.
–The caregiver’s use of community services.
–The caregiver’s community involvement.

To nominate a family caregiver, simply write an essay describing how that caregiver meets the above criteria. Be sure your letter includes your name, address and phone number as well as the address and phone number of the person you are nominating. Send your letter via email to Denise.

Or, send your letter to Tad Publishing Co., P.O. Box 224, Park Ridge, IL, 60068. Questions? Contact us at (773) 343-6341.

3. When are winners notified?
Winners will be notified by phone during the second week of January.

Winners, and their nominating letters, will be featured on Caregiving.com. Letters nominating persons who did not receive an award will be featured on the webiste throughout the following year.

4. What will the award recipients win?
All nominees are winners and will be recognized for their efforts with a certificate. In addition, each winner will be a guest on Denise’s talk show, Your Caregiving Journey. Winner also will receive prizes, which vary from year to year.

Do you, or someone you know, work for an agency or company that provides services for caregivers? Sponsorships of our Annual Caregiver of the Year contest are available. Contact Denise for details.

Meet our 2008 winners:

–Linda Abbit, Irvine, Calif.
–Ron Gladis, Malvern, Pa.
–Craig Jennings, Port Washington, N.Y.