Lansdale Home Helpers’ Pam Barresi, CNA, Receives Dr. Martin Luther King Award - Cited for Extraordinary Care and Compassion for Clients
Lansdale, PA, January 18, 2010 - The Lansdale office of Home Helpers®, known for the utmost in professional, compassionate and high quality non-medical, in-home care for seniors and others in need, recently had one of its caregivers receive the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Recognition Award, presented annually by the Alzheimer’s Association, Delaware Valley Chapter.
Pam Barresi, a caregiver with the Home Helpers’ Lansdale office, received the award today, January 18, 2010. The award is designed to recognize:
- The significant contributions of direct care nursing technicians, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs), nurse aides, nursing assistants, care nurses, support care workers, or in-home health workers, who provide outstanding service to persons with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
- Extraordinary acts of love and kindness that enhance or enrich the lives of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
- The proficient uses of talents in providing services to patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia that reside either in their own home or in a facility.
- Direct care nursing technicians who bring creativity and understanding to the difficult work they do.
According to Frank Esterle, one of the owners of the Lansdale Home Helpers office, “Pam stands out as the obvious nominee and subsequent recipient for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Recognition Award for many reasons. Pam has worked for our agency for just over one year, but in such a short time, she has made a profound difference in so many of our clients’ lives.”
Esterle continued, “I cannot think of a better example of understanding, compassion, and the delivery of outstanding care than that of which Pam consistently provides to her clients with Alzheimer’s disease.”
One particular client stands out in Barresi’s mind and heart − a gentleman named Mr. Shepherd or “Shep”. Pam became Shep’s caregiver when his agitation became troublesome for his wife and the staff of the continuing care retirement facility where he resided. Pam quickly established a rapport with Shep that no one in the facility was able to accomplish. Pam was the only caregiver initially who could shower him, change him, feed him and keep him calm. The staff quickly recognized this special bond, and they began to follow her lead and benefit from her successes. Pam became an advocate for Shep and trainer of other caregivers on how best to work with him. Pam developed strong relationships with the family members and the staff throughout the facility, even catching the attention of the Director of Nursing.
According to Barresi, “The connection was profound, and I really enjoyed seeing my “buddy, Shep” every day. It gave me great comfort and satisfaction to know I made a positive difference in Shep’s quality of life and provided help and peace of mind for not only him but his loved ones. I was honored to be there for him.”