Direct Care Staff Award
in NADSA Awards
This award recognizes direct care staff members who demonstrate outstanding person-centered skills, effective communication techniques, dedication, creativity and teamwork attitude. This individual serves as a model for others who choose this profession.
Carolyn A. Swilley
Hillsborough County Division of Aging Services, Tampa, FL
| Carolyn A. Swilley |
A dedicated worker as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the adult day care program for 19 years, Carol Swilley demonstrates skills and knowledge that connect her position as a healthcare provider with frail seniors to her personally taken-on social role with each senior and their family. Carol is known to be a creative team player as well as an effective communicator. The staff at Brandon Senior Center considers Carol to be a vital part of their interdisciplinary team by developing plans and solutions at every opportunity she receives.
Carol particularly shines with her concentration on Alzheimer's disease and dementia; she has taken responsibility to not only help the affected senior, but also the family. She has learned through experience about the struggle between the disease and family’s adaptation, and she now focuses on communication with the affected person and their physician and family. One example of Carol's social skills was when a caregiver notified her that she was having a difficult time explaining to her children what was happening to their grandpa, who was in the middle stages of Alzheimer's. Instead of sending the family to other resources that could help their situation, Carol went above and beyond to take matters into her own hands and took the time to develop a customized training for the children on the topic of Alzheimer's. Carol thrilled the children with ways and methods of helping Grandpa in his condition, including educating them about games they could play with him.
Carol not only focuses on the more personal situations with seniors. Safety is a primary priority as well. She demonstrated a leadership role when a severe storm blew through the neighborhood, blowing doors open. Carol immediately took action and ushered staff and participants into a safe, central location. She was able to keep everyone calm with her outstanding confidence and reassurance.
Carol consistently goes above and beyond when serving her adult day care participants and she serves as a model for others who choose this profession. They are proud that Carol is a part of their Adult Day Care team.
—Susan Torres
Marolyn Clauss
SarahCare of Canton, Canton, OH
| Marolyn Clauss |
Marolyn has been with SarahCare Adut Day Care Services, Inc. since February of 1994. She has always given 200% to her participants since day one. Marolyn has always given her best and supported those around her, whether we are speaking of participants, family members, supervisors or co-workers.
Marolyn is near and dear to everyone's heart. For her 70th birthday, the participants of her activity group, the Silver Threads, actually took it upon themselves to hire a balloonist to come to the center and surprise her.
One of Marolyn's participant's daughters shared, "Marolyn is an angel placed on earth to help those who THINK they have it under control. I have many examples of Marolyn's commitment and caring but one example stands out for me. I had tried for two weeks to get my mother to accompany me to the Area Agency on Aging. I felt that it was imperative for her to come with me. Marolyn offered to go to the Area Agency on Aging's office with us to provide some assistance. Well, the beginning of my story is so true because Marolyn has a calming effect on anyone she meets. Mom agreed, at Marolyn's request, the first and only request!"
One member of her activity group, the Silver Threads, shared, "Marolyn is one of the best health care workers I have ever met! For her, it is more a dedication than a job. She shows that she cares about the participants in everything she does, whether it is exercising, games, or doing crafts. She has so much energy, she makes everything fun. She is not afraid to laugh at herself if she makes a mistake. Marolyn is 70 years young and has more energy and spunk than some of the younger workers."
Marolyn has served as a mentor to younger staff members, a source of support and guidance for supervisors and managers, and has always been a deeply caring, creative, and committed professional caregiver for both participants and their family members. Although Marolyn is recognized every day at SarahCare, she deserves to be recognized at a national level.
—Shannon Ross