Three Central New York residents have been honored for their work as Alzheimer’s caregivers by Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter. The chapter’s caregiving awards are presented annually to individuals committed to the care of people with dementia.

The chapter presents three awards each year — the Cynthia Stevenson Professional Excellence in Caregiving Award, for providing care with dignity and sensitivity within a person’s home or a care facility; the Excellence in Family Caregiving Award, for demonstrating excellent care for themselves as well as an individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia; and the Outstanding Youth Volunteer, for a person under the age of 18 who has made a distinct contribution to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

Charles Shay of Binghamton was named the winner of the Cynthia Stevenson Professional Caregiving Award. Shay, who works at the United Methodist Homes’ Hilltop Campus in its dementia care unit, was nominated by Bert Edmunds of Johnson City. Edmunds cited Shay’s care of his wife, a resident in the unit. “Mr. Shay shows nothing but love and understanding to his charges under very difficult conditions,” Edmunds wrote in his nomination. “It is difficult to point out one or two examples because Chuck’s sensitivity, patience, compassion, understanding and love is there everyday. In my humble opinion, he goes above and beyond every single day in ways that put others to shame. I truly believe he has a God given talent, skills and abilities to serve as a caregivers to those he is responsible for.” The award is named in honor of Cynthia Stevenson, the first executive director of the Central New York Chapter.

George Story earned the Excellence in Family Caregiving Award for the care of his wife, Violet. The Endicott couple has been married for 55 years, with Violet’s diagnosis coming seven years ago. George, who recently retired, was nominated by Dr. Christina Hasemann, president of NY-Penn Nutritional Services and the vice president of the chapter’s board of directors. Hasemann writes that Story’s journey has not been easy, but through it all he has treated his wife with dignity and taken care of his own health. Hasemann said that after Violet was diagnosed, she would often act paranoid and abusive. Hasemann wrote, “For the average person these behaviors wouldn’t be easy to deal with, but George is an understanding, gracious and patient man. He has a way about him that calms Violet.” In an effort to provide the highest quality of care for both Violet and himself, he utilizes the Golden Days day program, which provides  Violet social interaction and provides him respite. “I think a big part of George’s taking care of himself is accomplished through living as normal a life as possible,” Hasemann wrote. “He is very active in his church, community, involved in senior events, active in support groups and family functions. Violet’s disease is not used as an excuse to sit home! These are things they have always done together and continue to do together.”

Corissa Tefft of Hastings won the Outstanding Youth Volunteer award. Corissa, who is 13 years old, volunteers each week at Rosewood Heights Health Center, where her grandmother is a resident. She was nominated by her mother, Lisa Tefft, and Cristen Nichols of the facility’s department of therapeutic recreation. According to her mother’s nomination, Corissa volunteers 5-8 hours per week at Rosewood Heights, where she gives her time playing cards and Bingo, painting the nails of the female residents and spending time with her grandmother and other residents in their Alzheimer’s care unit. Nichols cited her compassion and maturity in dealing with the behavioral and communication difficulties caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Tefft was singled out for one particular project by Nichols. Corissa held a “pajama drive,” raising money to purchase sleepwear for all of the residents at Rosewood Heights. With some help from friends, she wrapped them and delivered them to each resident during the holidays.