CONGRATULATIONS to our FINALISTS for
The Caregiver’s Voice Caregiver of the Month!
The Caregiver’s Voice (TCV) is proud to recognize 2 of 4 finalists chosen by our selection committee for TCV’s Caregiver of the Month (CotM) recognition program.
Because caregivers are busy people and due to my end -of-the-month travel schedule, our nominators were unable to submit photos and additional information by an earlier deadline. In fact, two self-nominating finalists didn’t even reply! (Just proves how busy caregivers are!) By default, TCV recognizes the two finalists who acknowledged. (Ed.)
Nathan & Julie Steen
Nathan and Julie Steen are an amazing couple in our church family who sacrifice their time, living space, and finances to care for three of their elderly relatives.
The Steens also have three children who have had to make many sacrifices due to this situation.
This family shares their 3-bedroom 2-bath home with Ruth Steen, Julie’s grandmother, who is suffering the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Julie’s aunt and uncle also share sleeping space at the Steen home. Franklin and Katie Effenberger are in their eighties, and after repeated hospital care for Franklin’s heart, they live with Nathan and Julie for safe keeping.
These two nominees go beyond taking care of individuals to literally making a positive difference in the lives of others.
— Nursing Home Administrator
The Steen family not only cares for the daily needs of these family members, but they do so with joyful hearts and many smiles.
The children have given up separate bedrooms and share living room space for sleeping quarters. Their willingness to help care for their great-grandmother, great aunt and uncle is truly a blessing to see.
Nominated by fellow church member, Amy Weaver.
(The Steens were nominated by someone else last month but the brief description was not sufficient for our committee to make a confident selection. Their repeat nomination points to how their actions inspire others. Ed.)
Patricia Krueger
My mom is an extraordinary person. She would disagree if you told her so.
She has been married to my dad for over 55 years. The last 5 years have been especially hard for her as she cares for my dad who has dementia. She talks him through the nightly hallucinations, she helps him dress, and she includes him in decisions that he has no idea of their meaning. She respects him and loves him unconditionally.
Patricia’s patience is truly heartfelt and the very essence of what it means to care…
— Professional Caregiver Consultant
Her life has changed significantly because of his condition, yet she moves on taking each day for the adventure that it is.
[Last week they moved] into an assisted living community so that she has some help.
55 years of marriage and “she respects him and loves him unconditionally.” …the fact that they are moving to an assisted care facility “because he needs more care than she can physically give him” even though “she doesn’t want to leave the house she loves” shows … true love and commitment.
— Former Caregiver for In-Laws and soon-to-be Caregiver for his Mom
This has been difficult for her because she didn’t want to leave her house that she loves so much. But she’s doing it for Dad because he needs more care than she can physically give him now.
My mom is so dedicated to making my dad’s life the best it can be for whatever time he has. She does it with all the charm, patience, understanding and courage she has.
Nominated by daughter, Kim Krueger
Congratulations FINALISTS.
Nominations are now open for TCV’s Caregiver of the Month of MAY.
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’ll pay special attention to those caregivers who exhibit a nurturing spirit.
Submit your nominations by clicking on this link: Nominate TCV’s Next Caregiver of the Month
Brenda Avadian, MA
Editor, TheCaregiversVoice.com
