HCAOA The Voice Winter 2019-20

6 HCAOA The Voice MEMBER NEWS NEW FACES OF CAREGIVING Exemplify Committed, Nurturing Care Professionals THE KEYTO DELIVERING SAFE HOME CARE to America’s seniors lies in the ability to attract and nurture exemplary caregivers. These people are on the ground, working with clients to help them to their best possible quality of life. To recognize the work of these tireless individuals, we have created Faces of Caregiving—a storytelling project focused on showing the incredible work professional care- givers do every day. The campaign will feature profiles of exemplary caregivers, which are posted monthly on the HCAOAwebsite. Our most recent caregivers featured are Jeff Huitt of Comfort Keepers in Bremerton, Wa., and Eva Coleman of Martha’s Hands in St. Louis, Mo. Jeff Huitt was honored at the 2019 Annual Leadership Conference as Caregiver of the Year for his compassion, dedication, and loyalty to his clients. His coworkers and clients call him a team player with professionalism, skill and passion for the role. Jeff connects with his clients in a way that is meaningful to them. His clients consider him their “buddy,” and their families describe him as “a member of our family.” Jeff advocates for his clients by listening and understanding their needs. If there is a need or something that they might benefit from, he finds a way to make that happen. He gives his clients his full attention, learns their likes and dislikes and then goes above and beyond for them by planning his day with the client accordingly. Eva Coleman joined Martha’s Hands in 2003, and has been able to utilize her lifelong passion for learning as she has grown into her role as a caregiver. Over 36,000 hours of service to her clients, Eva has emerged as a leader in her industry and organization. Eva has been recognized by her peers over 15 times for Martha’s Hands Angel Awards (recognizing caregivers going above and beyond in client care). Eva was twice a finalist for the Mis- souri Alliance for Home Care award for Caregiver of the Year—a state-wide award. She also was a finalist for the VOYCE Excellence in Caregiving Award. Eva commits to being a steady part of her clients’ care team; in one case, she has provided over 22,000 hours of care to one client. Eva shows compassion, empathy and respect in the delivery of care by her calm demeanor and ability to listen. Through active listening, she makes emotional connections and meeting their unique needs. This approach has enabled her to make several key interventions in her clients’ care, from preventing infections to ensuring that family could be present for a client’s last moments. If you have a special caregiver at your organization whom you would like to see recognized, please use our online form to submit them; submissions to past Caregiver of the Year Award nomina- tions are also considered. Jeff Huitt was honored at the 2019 Annual Leadership Conference as Caregiver of the Year for his compassion, dedication, and loyalty to his clients. Eva Coleman, Martha’s Hands Jeff Huitt, 2019 Annual Leadership Conference as Caregiver of the Year.