Two members of the professional Colorado Alzheimer’s caregiving community have been recognized by their peers as winners of the prestigious 2020 George & Pat Sugerman Excellence in Caregiving Award.
Corinne Emerson from Horizons Specialized Services in Craig and Rose Amador from Spring Ridge Park Assisted Living in Wheat Ridge were named cowinners of this year’s awards given annually to a Colorado professional caregiver who provides outstanding care to people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
The pair were among five finalists chosen from nearly 50 nominations across Colorado. The individual caregivers were nominated by family members and peers who singled these caregivers out for their high standards of service and commitment to the individuals for whom they provided care.
“Service to and care of older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most challenging professions,” said Amelia Schafer, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado. “These two individuals are among a stellar group of nominees who treat the people in their care as if they were their own family. I wish it was possible to award them all.”
Cowinners of the 2020 Sugerman Award
The cowinners of the 2020 George & Pat Sugerman Excellence in Caregiving Award, who each received a cash award and plaque, are:
Corinne Emerson of Horizon’s Specialized Services in Craig, CO
Emerson is a direct support professional in one of Horizons Specialized Services' group homes for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities in Craig. A nominator said of Emerson: “Corinne has a very caring nature. She shows genuine compassion. She is always ready and always goes above and beyond. Even though some of the individuals she cares for are not verbal and cannot express their needs or desires, Corinne can understand them. She knows each individual so well that she easily comprehends their needs, desires, and frustrations.”
It was noted that three times over the past few months, Corinne responded quickly and appropriately to medical issues requiring prompt medical attention, ones that others may not have noticed right away. Her response was deemed critical to saving the lives of three clients who were experiencing medical crises and unable to communicate. Because of her quick actions, today they are doing well.
Rose Amador of Spring Ridge Park Assisted Living in Wheat Ridge, CO
Amador is a QMAP/resident assistant. A nominator wrote about Amador: “Rose has cared for my mother for four years and has proven herself to be kind, honest and responsible even when the toughest of times have affected her professionally and personally. This year, not only has Rose remained loyal to care giving as her profession amidst risks associated with working outside of the home during the pandemic, but she has continued to do so even when her husband of many years recently passed away as well as her niece. Instead of focusing on herself, she felt a duty to return to Spring Ridge after only two weeks of mourning and devote her time to caring for my mother and other loved ones suffering from dementia. This sense of duty is even more admirable to me and the families who depend on caregivers to be present for our loved ones since we are not able to visit regularly and care for them ourselves due to COVID restrictions.”
The nominator added: “I think caregivers sometimes forget the human nature of people with dementia and don't take the time to look at them as another human, a peer, a loved one. Rose is not afraid to do this. She is able to look deeply into my mother's eyes and smile warmly, calming her and making her feel secure.”
Three finalists
The other three finalists for the 2020 Sugerman Awards were:
Jacqueline Jordan of MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care in Centennial
“Jacqueline has so much patience with memory care residents and their families,” said a nominator. “Having lost her own mother to Alzheimer’s, she shows such empathy and understanding when speaking with frustrated family members. She does everything she can to inspire dignity and compassion in those around her.” The nominator added that Jacqueline “often stays late because she has given an hour or two of her time to comfort a son or daughter of a resident with Alzheimer’s who no longer recognizes family members or has lost interest in hobbies or activities once enjoyed.”
Stephanie Willis of Cherry Creek Nursing Center in Aurora
“Stephanie excels daily in the care that she delivers to our residents by providing passionate care through individualized quality of life experiences,” said a nominator. “She ensures that each resident is taken care of, happy, and comfortable every single time she exits their rooms.
Stephanie lost her own husband to COVID-19 this year, but “she is always very patient, and does not rush through any of her care. She effortlessly radiates compassion, love, and hope to all of those residents and coworkers that she comes into contact with.”
April Morales of Balfour Riverfront Park in Denver
“She works so well with the residents and knows how to communicate with them in a meaningful way,” said a supervisor. “She treats the residents with dignity and respect and makes them feel special.”
Of April’s work with a resident who was approaching the end of life, a nominator wrote: “I truly believe the resident had a much more peaceful passing as a direct result of April’s care. With April, she makes it look effortless.”
The history of the George & Pat Sugerman Award
The George & Pat Sugerman Excellence in Caregiving Award was created in 1991. Former Alzheimer's Association board member George Sugerman created the award to honor his wife's caregivers.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.