In 2019, Council on Aging created the Service Excellence Award program to recognize home health aides from across our service provider network who provide superior service to those in their care.
What does a home health aide do?
Home health aides provide critical and often life-saving care for older adults who want to remain in their homes as they age. They provide very personal care – help with bathing, dressing and eating – as well as important everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking and running errands. They are lifelines.
Why do we need to recognize home health aides?
But the stability home health aides provide is in jeopardy. Home health workers’ low wages, unpredictable schedules and other job challenges mean there is a shortage of qualified aides. As the economy has improved in recent years, many have left the industry for more stable, higher-paying employment.
Because of the aide shortage, older adults that need help aren’t receiving it.
Recognizing an aide for their important work provides a reminder that their efforts really do make a difference.
I know of a great aide. What can I do?
Anyone in the community who has seen the impact a home health aide has had on an older adult is encouraged to complete a simple nomination form. This could include a family caregiver, the aide’s employer or coworker, Council on Aging staff, the older adult themselves and more.
Each deserving home health aide who is nominated receives a Service Excellence Award certificate from Council on Aging as well as significant praise from his or her employer. And there’s more.
All Service Excellence Award recipients are considered for COA’s annual Home Health Aide Hero Award which recognizes the area’s superior home health aides. The Hero award includes a personalized award as well as a cash prize. Up to three Hero awards will be given at Council on Aging’s 2022 Forum on Aging.
What if I don’t know much about the aide?
Nominators are invited to share their stories in as much detail as possible, but if you are missing any information about the aide, don’t let that stop you from nominating him or her! We will contact you for further details.
What if I have questions?
If you have questions about the awards or how to nominate an aide, please call COA at (513) 721-1025 or (800) 252-0155 and select Option 2.
If you are a Council on Aging client, you may also contact your care manager with positive comments about your aide.