L - Lucinda (Cindy) Vandenburgh, Caregiver Champion; R - Susan Gordon, COVE Caregiver Initiative Director

Vermont’s “Healthy Aging Awards” have been expanded to include a new category: “Caregiver Champion.”

The Governor’s Commission on Healthy Aging sponsors the awards to recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate its “ideals of Healthy Aging.”

The Caregiver Champion award, which honors outstanding caregivers who exemplify the profession, made its debut at the fourth annual “Healthy Aging Awards” ceremony on November 24.

“Vermont’s direct-care workers give the hands-on help and support that make a critical difference in the lives of people of all ages who need support and care,” said Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie, chair of the Governor’s Commission on Healthy Aging.

The lieutenant governor continued:

Direct-care workers play a critical role — not only in our system of support for older Vermonters and those with disabilities, but in the lives of those they care for and their families. By creating a new Champion Caregiver award, we are recognizing the enormous contribution our caregivers make to the quality of life in our state.

This Year’s Recipient

Lucinda (Cindy) Vandenburg, a licensed nursing assistant for 30 years, won this year’s Caregiver Champion award. She currently works at the Mountain View Center, a Genesis Healthcare Facility, in Rutland, Vermont. The facility has been recognized by the state for employing “best practices” in recruitment and retention of caregivers, particularly direct-care staff.

“I accepted the award for everyone that I work with, because professional caregivers do not receive the recognition they deserve for the job that they do,” said Vandenburg.

Creation of the New Award

The Community of Vermont Elders (COVE) advocated for the Governor’s Commission on Healthy Aging to recognize outstanding professional caregivers. The tradition of bestowing an award to a Vermont direct-care worker was in danger of perishing when the Vermont Association of Professional Care Providers closed its doors in May.

“This award is a great example of the importance of recognition and gratitude for the work of nursing assistants. It is most fitting that this first-time Caregiver Champion award should honor a dedicated caregiver who has made this her life’s work,” said Susan Gordon, director of COVE’s Caregiver Initiative.

The Governor’s Commission on Healthy Aging was assembled by Governor James H. Douglas to address the health and wellness needs of Vermont’s aging population, and to provide guidance to the administration and its community partners on the most outstanding aging-related issues.

Janel Sonstegard-Gamm, a social worker, also won a Caregiver Champion award this year.