Homewatch Caregivers Seeks Applicants For National Family Caregiver Of The Year Award

Homewatch CareGivers, one of the largest and most experienced international providers of full-service home care, launched its National Family Caregiver of the Year award campaign today. Nominations will be accepted from the general public through July 29, 2011, via the Homewatch CareGivers website, or by submitting a nomination form to one of the company's 188 offices.

Nominees who become semifinalists win a yearlong scholarship to Homewatch CareGivers University, where they will be able to take courses specific to their loved ones"� needs""gaining an educational foundation, skill set, and confidence to continue improving their caregiving. The semifinalists are also given eight hours of respite care provided by their local Homewatch CareGivers. One well-deserving winner will be awarded the $10,000 grand prize and the title of National Family Caregiver of the Year.

"This award allows us to give back to family caregivers who have given so much""and given up so much""to support their loved ones," said Leann Reynolds, president of Homewatch CareGivers. "It also provides a front-row seat to learn the inspirational and instructional stories of family caregivers who set an example for others on how to meet the challenges of their caregiving situation, and who could use some support in return." According to the 2009 report, Caregiving in the U.S., now in its third edition, more than 65 million Americans are serving as caregivers to family members in need of long-term care. The 2010 National Family Caregiver of the Year award winner, Joyce Scott, 64, of Marysville, Wash., cares for her husband David, 69, who has limited use of his legs due to diabetes, while fighting her own battles against both lung cancer and diabetes. The Scott's story, while heartbreaking, is inspirational for other families facing similar struggles.

"Each of the nominees in 2010 had stories that all family caregivers can relate to""how tough caregiving can be but how absolutely necessary and valuable it is," said 2010 award judge and author Denise M. Brown, who also operates the website Caregiving.com. "Joyce Scott taught us that we all have the strength to face and make it through difficult times." A select panel of healthcare industry experts, which in 2010 included representatives from AARP, National Private Duty Association, Alzheimer's Association, American Association for Long Term Care Insurance, Case Management Society of America, and Genworth Financial, chooses the finalists and the winner of the National Family Caregiver of the Year award.

Finalists for the award will be announced in September and the national winner will be announced October 24, 2011. For every unique, valid submission to the National Family Caregiver of the Year award online, Homewatch CareGivers will donate $5 to its 2011 co-sponsor, the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), the nation's only organization for all family caregivers regardless of their loved one's age or diagnosis.

"The National Family Caregiver award is an important mechanism for raising awareness about the challenges and impacts of family caregiving," said NFCA President and CEO Suzanne Mintz. "NFCA looks forward to working with its newest partner to reinforce the integral role family caregivers play on the care team and to work hard to ensure they gain the confidence and capabilities they need to act on behalf of themselves and their loved ones." To nominate a family caregiver for the Family Caregiver of the Year award, or for more information about the award campaign please visit the Homewatch CareGivers' website.

About Homewatch CareGivers Founded in 1980, Homewatch CareGivers is a large and highly experienced international provider of full-service home care for people of all ages. Caregivers are triple-screened and continually trained and supervised by healthcare professionals to provide reliable, compassionate, and highly skilled services in companion, personal and comprehensive care. Home care services are personalized for each client and customized care plans are administered through an international network of 111 franchise owners with 188 territories in 36 U.S. states including 17 international territories. Each office is locally owned and dedicated to ensuring quality of life for clients and peace of mind for their loved ones. Call 1-800-777-9770, visit www.homewatchcaregivers.com for company and caregiver information, or learn more at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwSRiMuM2DA.

About the National Family Caregivers Association NFCA is the nation's leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of caregivers"� lives. Addressing the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers, regardless of their loved ones"� age or diagnoses, NFCA provides services in the areas of education, support and advocacy to build the confidence and capability of family caregivers and remove the barriers that make family caregiving so much harder than it needs to be. Celebrating its 18th anniversary this year NFCA will always be known as the organization that put a face on family caregiving and brought it to the attention of the public.

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