Jun 24, 2020
Submitted by: Julie Watt Faqir, Home Care Aide Council
More than 60,000 homecare aides are working in homes across the Commonwealth to meet the needs of vulnerable older adults during the Coronavirus pandemic. On June 24, the Home Care Community is coming together to recognize these unsung frontline heroes with a Home Care Aide Recognition Day.
The recognition day will be held in honor of all aides providing in-home assistance that older adults and people with disabilities need to maintain independence and well-being in their own homes. By meeting those needs at home, these workers are helping people stay out of hospitals and nursing homes during the pandemic.
To highlight the work of these critical caregivers, the home care community will recognize over 100 home health and home care aides by sharing their stories online and through social media with the following hashtags:
#HomeCareHeroes
#HomeCareisEssential
#HealthyatHome
#EssentialWorkers
#AgingInPlace
These home care workers have gone above and beyond during the pandemic, providing high quality services with care and compassion despite the risks and changes presented by the Coronavirus.
Most of these nominees have never missed a shift; picked up extra shifts when their colleagues were sick or caring for their own loved ones; and some even lived apart from their family – all to ensure the people they serve can stay healthy at home during the public health emergency.
The Home Care Aide Recognition Day is a joint effort through the Enough Pay to Stay Coalition, which is comprised of the Home Care Aide Council, The Home Care Alliance, and Mass Home Care. Please join us in recognizing the contributions of these essential front-line workers.
Bianca Frederick
Home Health Aide, O’Connell Care at Home
Bianca has worked nonstop throughout the pandemic. She has been willing to take on COVID positive clients while working in homes and facilities. She has picked up shifts to help our other offices and has been an all-around rock star. Bianca has also been selflessly living apart from her family for the last month, so that she can keep them safe while helping those most in need in our community.
Munirat Lamina, “AB”
Home Health Aide, All Care VNA
“AB” has been a dedicated HHA with All Care VNA for more than 15 years. As a single mom and provider for 4 teenage children, the decision must have been difficult to accept COVID positive cases. But AB did not hesitate to accept. She thoroughly reviewed all the infection control policies and PPE protocols and was one of the first to step forward and care for COVID positive clients. She took on additional overtime hours working 12-16-hour days in full personal protective equipment, and never once did AB complain, nor waiver from protocol.
Oluwatosin Odusanya, “Tosin”
Home Health Aide, All Care VNA
“Tosin” has been a dedicated HHA with All Care VNA for over 21 years. Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Tosin never once hesitated to provide assistance for clients who need help. She provided exceptional care to a client whose family members all around her were getting sick and hospitalized with COVID and Tosin not only provided the physical care the family was unable to provide, but was a huge source of support, knowledge and encouragement to them all.
Helia Madeiros
Home Care Aide, Southeastern Massachusetts Home Health Care (SENHHA)
Helia has worked for SEMHHA for twelve years. Helia used her connection at a local manufacturer to help the agency obtain masks that were being produced locally, at a time when agencies were having difficulty obtaining them for their employees who desperately needed them. She has really demonstrated collaboration and gone above and beyond during the pandemic.
About the Home Care Aide Council:
The Home Care Aide Council (Council) is a non-profit trade association with over 75 home care agency and community-based organization members throughout Massachusetts. Our member agencies across the Commonwealth are working tirelessly to ensure that elders and persons with disabilities retain access to critical home care services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Home Care Alliance:
With a mission to unite people and organizations to advance community health through care and services in the home, the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts is a non-profit trade association and advocacy group providing representation, education, communication, advocacy and – ultimately – a
voice for the state’s home health industry. Founded in 1969, the Alliance has grown to represent more than 160 home care and home health agencies across the state.
About Mass Home Care:
Mass Home Care (MHC) is the trade association representing the Commonwealth’s network of 28 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies Aging (AAAs). This single, statewide network of coordinated care delivers home and community-based services to over 60,000 individuals per month, providing over $600 million per year in services.