SeniorHomes.com Announces Caregiver Recognition Award Winners

Nov. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- SeniorHomes.com (http://www.seniorhomes.com/) is the most comprehensive resource for seniors and their families searching for senior care or housing. Today the company announces the winners of its first-annual SeniorHomes.com Caregiver Recognition Awards (http://www.seniorhomes.com/p/caregiver-recognition-awards/), co-sponsored by Emeritus Senior Living (http://www.emeritus.com/).

In honor of National Family Caregiver Month, SeniorHomes.com strives to offer recognition and support with the Caregiver Recognition Awards, which gathered caregivers' most memorable moments in short-story format. The contest was divided into professional and family caregiver categories.

SeniorHomes.com is pleased to recognize Angela Diaz-Burris as the winner in the professional caregiver category. Angela began her caregiving journey as a teenager, when she volunteered to help children with special needs. Today, in Angela's role as a professional caregiver for in-home and hospice care, she goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure her clients never feel alone at any stage of their journey. Angela's friends and family ask her how she's able to continuously put herself and her own emotions out there when caring for patients with terminal illnesses. But Angela takes great pride in her work and feels that her patients bring something to her life: an appreciation of the fleeting moments that we all tend to take for granted.

"I was so impressed that Angela did not quit caregiving when the young man died," says Barbara McVicker (http://www.barbaramcvicker.com/), an expert panel judge, speaker and author of Stuck in the Middle: Shared Stories and Tips on Caring for Mom and Dad.  "She took the experiences she has had in caregiving and turned them into learning experiences. She understands the needs of her patients and is insightful and empathetic.  She is truly an 'old soul'!"

In the family caregiver category, SeniorHomes.com is pleased to announce Pat Concienne as the winner for his undying love and devotion in caring for his ailing wife. Pat's story was provided by his daughter, Cheryl Larrick, based on her admiration for her father's sacrifice and constant love and support for her mother during her ailing years. Cheryl says Pat was by her mother's side, each and every day, feeding her during meal times and sitting with her until she was sleeping comfortably.

More than 65 million Americans serve as a caregiver to an aging family member or loved one, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving. Overall, these unpaid caregivers contribute nearly $375 billion in unpaid services. These statistics alone are staggering. Paired with the financial and health impacts caregiving has on families, it's obvious that caregivers deserve much more recognition and support than they often receive.

Both grand-prize winners will be awarded a weekend getaway from SeniorHomes.com. The family caregiver category winner will also receive a complimentary respite stay for a loved one courtesy of program co-sponsor Emeritus Senior Living.

SeniorHomes.com invites caregivers, baby boomers, members of the sandwich generation and anyone with an aging loved one to visit the website and read the incredible stories of selfless giving provided by caregivers across the country. The stories are heartwarming accounts of caregivers most memorable moments, and serve as a source of inspiration for caregivers everywhere.

About SeniorHomes.com

SeniorHomes.com (www.seniorhomes.com) is a free resource for people looking for senior housing or senior care for a loved one or themselves. SeniorHomes.com features expert-written articles, a free care advisor service and a comprehensive directory of senior care options. For example, check out our Phoenix Assisted Living (http://www.seniorhomes.com/c/az/phoenix/assisted-living/) page to browse a total of 30 area assisted living facilities.

About Emeritus Senior Living

Emeritus Corporation is a national provider of senior living services. Emeritus is one of the largest and most experienced operators of freestanding assisted living communities located throughout the United States. These communities provide a residential housing alternative for senior citizens who need assistance with the activities of daily living, with an emphasis on personal care services, which provides support to the residents in the aging process. Emeritus currently operates 485 communities in 44 states representing capacity for approximately 43,100 units and approximately 50,500 residents. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ESC, and our home page can be found on the Internet at www.emeritus.com .

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SeniorHomes.com is a free resource for people looking for senior care or housing. Browse hundreds of expert-written articles or search our nationwide directory to find senior housing options across the U.S.