SUNRISE, Fla. — Interim HealthCare Inc., the nation’s largest provider of home care and health care staffing, announced the winner of the national HomeStyle Hero Award for 2007. Leona Holley, Homemaker/ Companion, from Windsor, Connecticut was the recipient of the national award which recognizes senior care professionals who best represent the character traits that make up a hero such as honesty, experience, integrity and dependability.
HomeStyle Services(R) by Interim HealthCare is the company’s brand name for non-medical home care services. The HomeStyle Hero award is unique in that nominees are asked to obtain a client testimonial providing reasons why their caregivers should be recognized as a HomeStyle Hero. Fifty-seven senior care professionals throughout the country were nominated for the prestigious award by their clients and supervisors. Testimonials were received from trust advisors, spouses and adult children in addition to the individuals receiving assistance in their homes.
Commenting on the help provided to his mother, John Tyskewicz. of Windsor, Connecticut said, “It is rare today to find individuals who like the work in which they are engaged. It is rarer still to meet that person who not only loves their work, but elevates their profession to a new height far beyond the expected call of duty – one whose love, goodness and compassion to duty raise the bar far above the commonplace. Leona Holley epitomizes such an individual.”
“Leone came to us about 5 years ago (though I must admit it seems like only yesterday) and when she first came through the doorway, her smile shone like a ray of sunshine. My mom, you see, was 83 years old, and not too easy to please. Her latter years were hard on her, with both cancer and emphysema taking their toll on her usually pleasant disposition. But Leona, being the consummate professional that she is, won her over quite easily. Soon, I noticed very positive changes in my mom’s personality. She became more animated when Leona arrived, and even after she left, mom seemed a much happier person. It wasn’t long before Leona became ‘one of the family.’ Mom would look forward to Leona’s arrivals with eager anticipation.”
“Soon, Mom and I nicknamed Leona the ‘white tornado’ as she went from one task to another in her speedy and efficient manner. No matter how quickly she worked, she always took the time to point out safety concerns which might be harmful to the elderly. She pointed out devices which would make life easier for Mom, such as an elevated toilet seat, safety grips in the shower, slide-in devices for the bathtub and many others.”
Leona Holley has been with the Interim Connecticut office since 2001. “If there are angels on earth, Leona must be one of them,” says Homemaker/ Companion Program Manger Terri Johnson. “She is one of the most caring, compassionate people I have ever worked with. We’re thrilled she was chosen as the national HomeStyle Hero.”
Russ Cooper, President and CEO of Interim HealthCare Inc. states, “The HomeStyle Hero award was developed in 2002 initially as a way to recognize our valued employees who provide exceptional non-medical care and companionship in the home. Five years and over 250 client testimonials later, it has also become a way to hear what our clients and their families have to say about the daily care they receive. Some require personal care, transportation or medication reminders, others require friendly companionship. In any case, clients have expressed how their lives have been improved.”
Interim HealthCare is the nation’s oldest leading home care and medical staffing company. Founded in 1966, there are more than 300 locations nationwide with approximately 75,000 health care workers.
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[tags]Interim HealthCare Inc, home care staffing, HomeStyle Hero Award, Leona Holley, Homemaker Companion[/tags]
