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Seniors' caregiver named nurse of year
By Megan Hussey
Owner from Home Instead Senior Care in New Port Richey, was named People's Choice "Nurse of the Year" by the Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco Inc.
Topping off a decadeslong career in the nursing field, Joy A. Cook, owner of Home Instead Senior Care in New Port Richey, was named People's Choice "Nurse of the Year" by the Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco Inc. The award was presented at the Fourth Annual Nurses Gala, which took place at the Spartan Manor in New Port Richey.
"The award is determined by what outside involvement you provide to your community," Cook said.
Nominated through letters of recommendation from the Pasco community, Cook was voted People's Choice by the Good Samaritan board of directors. She said the award was based heavily on the success of Home Instead's annual "Be a Santa to a Senior" program, which last year made it possible for 436 senior citizens to receive more than 4,000 Christmas presents.
"This program touches many lives of seniors who have no family and are forgotten during the holidays," said Cook, an Ohio native who lives in Pinellas County with her husband, Howard.
Be a Santa to a Senior is just one component of the Home Instead program, which provides basic services for seniors that include meal preparation and help with household chores, as well as transportation to doctors' appointments, grocery stores and social outings.
"We want to help them maintain their dignity and independence," said Cook.
She started the Pasco-based Home Instead franchise 10 years ago, and said that the position reflects her lifetime commitment to the care of those who can't care for themselves.
"I have a strong affinity for the elderly and the very young," she said. "Especially those who need some help in life moving forward."
Cook's interest in helping the elderly began at a young age, when she helped to care for a widowed grandfather who lived with her family.
"I always knew I wanted to be a nurse," she said. "Through nursing you get to make the difference in a person's life. You get to impact people's lives and make their wishes and dreams come true."
After earning a registered nursing degree and certified case manager status from the Good Samaritan School of Nursing, Cook went on to work as a home health care and pediatric nurse and as a health care agency administrator, and to complete individual nursing assignments for a staffing firm at Community Hospital and other area medical centers.
Cook's position at Home Instead is among her favorites.
"What we want to do is help people continue to live in their own homes," she said. "We want to help them stay the king or queen of their own house."
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
SOME BACKGROUND: Joy A. Cook, owner of Home Instead Senior Care in New Port Richey, has been named People's Choice "Nurse of the Year" by Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco Inc.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: Cook was recognized for "Be a Santa to a Senior" program, in which she organizes a committee of community volunteers and staff members to collect holiday gifts for senior citizens with few or no family or friends.
Home Instead Senior Care and its caregivers provide other services to its community's seniors, ranging from meal preparation and light housekeeping to respite care.
A LITTLE HISTORY: Cook began the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program two years ago.
WHAT'S NEXT?: In the future, Cook hopes to spread the word about Home Instead and its many services.
1 comments:
The 2012 goal is to help 820 seniors which shows Home Instead and joy Cook's dedication to seniors and the community.
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