Arkansas nursing assistants were honored for their service by the Arkansas Advocates for Nursing Home Residents (AANHR). The 110 men and women at the June 8 banquet were nominated by their supervisors or by the resident council at their recognized for the loving care they have provided for the infirm – some for 10, 15, or even 20 years – despite low pay and few words of thanks.
Honorees from 63 nursing homes across the state received personal thanks for their untiring service. They were joined by directors of nursing, administrators, friends, and family members.
I read a proclamation from Governor Mike Beebe, which he created from a form I downloaded from the Career Nursing Assistant Network website’s resources for celebrating Nursing Assistant Week. I also read out each honoree’s name and the tribute his or her sponsor had written as he or she approached the front of the room to receive a framed certificate of merit, a pin, and a Wal-Mart gift certificate.
A number of cash prizes were awarded during the luncheon, which is an annual affair. This year’s was attended by 220 people. We were joined, as always, by State Ombudsman Kathie Gately and Carol Compas, Nursing Home Quality Initiative Project Manager for the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, our states Quality Improvement Organization. Kathie gave an inspirational speech and handed out some of the prizes, and Carol talked about culture change and how person-centered care means assigning CNAs to always work with the same set of residents, so they can get to know each other and become a true family.
In the latest issue of our newsletter, (PDF) we featured photos of all of the CNAs who were honored this year. It’s the least we can do for these caring caregivers, who have done so much for us.
Martha Deaver
President, AANHR
