During its Annual Meeting on March 5, Council on Aging (COA) presented Home Health Aide Hero awards to three individuals to honor the superior care they provide to clients.
Home health aides play a critical role in our long-term care system. They provide very personal care for older adults who want to remain in their homes as they age. And, they provide much needed support for family caregivers who are struggling to balance other responsibilities including careers and raising young families.
Nominations for this award are submitted by COA service providers, clients, family members and COA staff.
Chanda Houston
Houston – a Hamilton County resident – has been employed by COA provider Nova Home Care for more than 11 years. She was nominated by her Nova team members, and by several of her clients.
Chanda has been named as Nova’s Employee of the Year several times and was described by a nominator as “a diminutive woman with a big heart full of compassion, empathy and strength.”
Rona, one of Chanda’s clients, shared that Chanda feels like a member of her family. She even credits Chanda with saving Christmas for her grandchildren. “When I had difficulty buying a Christmas tree, Chanda brought me her extra tree so my grandchildren could be happy. We decorated it together. I never think about whether I will have an aide today because she is always here for me. I love her dearly and do not want to let her go. She deserves this award.”
Another client, Arthur, said, “How do you think I feel at my age? I have no one left. My wife, my cousins and most of my friends and acquaintances have passed away. Chanda is not only an aide but also a friend to me. She is a wonderful person and a great aide. I do not want to lose her.”
Simone Thomas
Thomas is the second award winner who works for one of COA’s providers. The Butler County resident is employed by Thom’s Heavenly Home Care. Client Gail nominated Thomas, sharing that in 28 years of receiving home care assistance, she has never been so happy and well cared for except in the company of Thomas.
“I have had caregivers over the years, but I have never been so happy as I am now that I have Simone. The two of us are laughing all the time. Her company is the best caregiving company I’ve ever had. She deserves to be recognized for her excellent service, compassion and understanding,” Gail said.
This past year, Gail’s apartment complex underwent renovations which required tenants to make extensive preparations in their units. Gail is in a wheelchair and this task would have been all but impossible, were it not for the help of her son and Simone.
“Simone boxed up everything, carried it to the living room, and covered all my furniture with tarps. I’m in a wheelchair and have limited mobility and was unable to do very much to help in this process. Without Simone’s help this would have been a disaster for me. She did all this and still gave me my showers, cooked breakfast for me every day, helped me get dressed, and continued to care for whatever else I needed,” Gail said.
Erica Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald does not work for a traditional home health agency; rather, she provides care through AddnAide, an app created by COA’s subsidiary, home52, to help grow the local homecare workforce. Older adults – and their family members – can use AddnAide to find and hire their own community-based caregivers, giving them more control over their care.
Erica was nominated by Ashley George, the daughter and caregiver of Asher, a COA client who has Alzheimer’s Disease. Ashley said Erica has become a member of the family and has a particular knack for anticipating everyone’s needs before they even arise.
George shared the following about Fitzgerald:
- “When Erica came to meet us, she greeted me warmly but went straight to my dad, introduced herself, sat down at his feet and they talked for at least 45 minutes. I knew right away she was who I wanted to work with us.”
- “She has such high work ethic, is always on time, is energetic and always manages to engage my dad. He doesn’t see many people besides me, but Erica makes him laugh and smile and feel so important. And feeling important is something far too few elderly feel.”
- “I know I would personally be lost without Erica. We have had a rough couple of years with my mom passing away and me taking over complete care of my dad, but Erica has been one of the brightest spots for us in all of this. When I look back on taking care of my dad someday, Erica will be one of the best things to happen to us during this journey.”
COA congratulates our winners and appreciates all they do to provide excellent care to our clients.