“He has helped encourage her to be as independent as she can be to retain her self-suffiency and her role as a mother."
"Tackled many barriers together but demonstrate an amazing commitment to each other and their family."
"It hasn't changed our love for each other"
HELP Adult Services
1941 South 42nd St. Suite 200, Omaha NE
68105
“She
goes above and beyond and is the best caretaker I have ever known.”
And so it went at the 2011 Caregiver of the Year event
held at Fontenelle Forest on Thursday evening, November 10th.
Attendees filled the Forest Room, helping
themselves to the bountiful hors d’oeuvres buffet.
A sealed envelope held the winning caregiver’s name. Several
stacks of 22 beautifully wrapped boxes held one special gift for
every special caregiver.
Nearly 200 people were seated at tables
reserved in their names along with their families and friends…nearly
200 people enjoying an evening out.
In many cases, a rare
evening out. Mayor Rita Sanders, Bellevue, was also in attendance to
honor the nominees.
With the 2011 Caregiver of the Year in full
swing, 22 dedicated Omaha-community caregiver nominees were being
honored for what they do every day: caregiving—uncompensated
caregiving—and you couldn’t pay someone to do all that they do every
day.
“As his
ability to speak decreases, I have become his voice”. The
evening was purposefully kept short, less than 2 hours, because some
caregivers had to leave their chronically ill or disabled loved ones
at home with a different caregiver.
They really couldn’t be gone too long. Such is the life of a
24/7 caregiver.
But here they all were with their families near
them having been nominated for HELP Adult Services “Caregiver of the
Year”. A “winner” would be selected even though they are all
winners, the message being gratefulness and recognition to all
caregivers everywhere who steadfastly provide caregiving so their
loved ones may remain at home.
Dr. Steven Wengel of University of Nebraska
Medical Center attended as “magician and physician” wowing the
audience with his magic tricks.
Around the world, November is National
Caregiver Month, 30 days to thank family caregivers for the many
challenges they face 365 days a year–-and a perfect time to honor
all caregivers for the care and respect they offer their loved ones.
Even if you don’t know a family caregiver you should thank
them: unpaid family caregivers save U.S. taxpayers $375 billion each
year.
Brandi Petersen of KETV was emcee, volunteering
her time and warm-hearted enthusiasm. When it was finally time to
announce the 2011 winner, Brandi held the sealed envelope up so
everyone could see it. In
it, not one but two receiving the title of dual winners:
Barbara Van Dyke and
Mitchell Washington.
And Mr. Washington had been independently nominated by two different
people.
What was in those beautifully wrapped boxes?
Every caregiver nominee was awarded an incredible lap quilt
hand-made and donated by Peaceful Quilters, Underwood Hills, Beth
Brooner, and Quilting Chicks & Rooster.
Photographer Brandi Pfeiffer snapped some great
pictures of the evening and every caregiver was a winner.
Food was donated by Trader Joes and Hy-Vee.
Metro Community College student volunteers helped set up the
event, serve, and clean up.
Boxes were donated by Kohl’s Department Store.
HELP Adult Services was organized in 1982.
Serving frail, disabled, and older adults, the programs
include a Respite Companion Program providing respite care to family
caregivers and the Health & medical Equipment Loan Program
(H.E.L.P.) offering medical equipment rentals for those who have
limited or no health insurance.
Bobby
Joni VanDyke, Bobby’s sister, nominated her as 2011 Caregiver of the
Year because of her loving commitment to taking care of her parents.
Each day before her Father
passed, with never a miss, Bobby would pick up Mom at 5:00 sharp to
go visit Dad, and before they left they would tuck Dad in a cozy bed
and kiss him good night.
After Dad passed, Mom asked Bobby, “Will you forget about
me?” and she replied, “Never!”
Mitchell
Mitchell was nominated by both his sister and his mother’s home care
nurse. They both describe of the loving, sensitive and respectful
care he provides for his mother, and her doctor feels he has done an
awesome job in helping his mother be as well as she is.
Mitchell is involved in
remodeling the home. While
preparing the dining room for a new ceiling, Mitchell had his mother
sit in the room to approve what he could and could not discard and
to supervise.
2010 Caregiver of the Year- Mr. Richard Badura
Stacey Badura, youngest
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Badura, nominated her father as the 2010
Caregiver of the Year. She stated that she nominated him “for the
most wonderful way he cares for my mother.”
Richard and Alice have
been married for 62 years. Richard provides care to Alice in such a
respectful way. He never makes her feel embarrassed or inadequate.
He sings songs to her and when he wakes her to do a pivot stand
transfer; he says they are “dancing”.
Richard balances his life with his strong faith
and receives support from his daughters and grandsons.
Mr. and Mrs. Badura, along with his supportive
family, attended the 2010 Caregiver of the Year event hosted by HELP
Adult Services in November. They enjoyed the evening of socializing;
meeting other caregivers and their families; and being honored for
daily selfless acts of caring.
Looking for a fun sewing project and A way to give to others?
HELP Adult Services: a Presbyterian community outreach is seeking help to provide all persons who are nominated for Caregiver of the Year with a lap quilt (42" x 42") at our annual Caregiver of the Year event.
What is needed:
- Your time
- Your sewing talent
- Material (any design you wish)
- A quilt design (again, you choose the design), Size 42" x 42"
- A desire to show someone that they are appreciated for being a caregiver
One person is chosen for the Caregiver of the Year, but it is our intent to make the evening special for all nominated caregivers. They will receive a free evening for themselves and their family with music and entertainment. Then, at the end of the evening, we wish to present them with a homemade lap quilt to show them that the community recognizes their contributions they make every day.
Please consider giving the gifts of your time and sewing talent. We need all lap quilts completed by November 2012.
Contact Emily at 402-341-6559 x100 for details.
Our caregivers in the community deserve to be recognized. If you are considering supporting the 2012 Caregiver of the Year, you can do so by clicking the donate button below.
Caregiver of the Year
Recognizing the immense unpaid contributions made by family members, friends, volunteers, and neighbors...HELP Adult Services will honor all nominees who care for someone with a chronic illness such as Parkinson's Disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, dementia and complications from a stroke.
We will show appreciation to all of the excellent nominees for giving so much to the Omaha-Council Bluffs community and will recognize all submissions--with one being honored as "Caregiver of the Year".
