New Jersey Caregiver Does Larger-than-Life Work

CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, October 24, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Today, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) recognized Eulodia Ortiz, a caregiver with Visiting Angels in Matawan, NJ, as the 2023 National Caregiver of the Year during the organization’s National Home Care Conference in Chicago. Ortiz was selected as the top home care aide from more than 500 nominees from nearly all 50 states – a record-breaking 160% increase in nominations from last year.

"During this challenging period when home care agencies, like so many other industries, grapple with a critical workforce shortage, it is truly inspiring to acknowledge individuals like Eulodia who remain steadfast in their commitment to providing quality and compassionate care within the homes of those in need. As a cancer survivor, Eulodia demonstrates exceptional dedication as she fulfills her caregiving responsibilities while caring for her husband, a Vietnam war hero and permanently disabled Veteran. Her commitment is remarkable and sets a great example for the next generation of caregivers who will follow in her footsteps," said HCAOA CEO Jason Lee.

Tim McAloon, Owner of the Visiting Angels franchise in Matawan, who nominated Ortiz for the national award, said, “Eulodia represents the greatest traditions of Visiting Angels. She performs her duties from her heart, guided by her faith, her personal experiences, and a dedication to the dignity of each client she serves, many of whom are military veterans. She volunteers for our most challenging cases, and her client-families invariably report that Tootsie (that’s what clients call her) is irreplaceable to them like family. Eulodia spreads compassion and kindness in every home she enters.”

Ortiz is a tireless worker and teammate. “During a recent winter blizzard, many of our caregivers were forced to call out sick because they could not get to their cars in the deep snow. Eulodia, up at 4:30 a.m. to dig out her own car, received from the office a list of bed-bound clients and those who absolutely needed a visit. She not only completed her own client visits but also visited clients of other caregivers to be sure that all Visiting Angels clients, who were most desperately in need of personal care and a meal, received the assistance they needed. She was incredible,” McAloon said.

Ortiz, who recently became a U.S. citizen, provides assistance with activities of daily living to clients living with MS, ALS, Parkinson's, and similar conditions. She also serves as a training mentor for newer caregivers.

“By 2040, nearly 81 million people in the U.S. will be 65 years older, compared with 77 million under the age of 18, which means there will be more older Americans than young. Now is the time to address the rapidly growing demand for care, and as part of HCAOA policy priorities outlined in the State of Home Care: Industry at a Crossroads, recruitment and retention practices must be addressed in addition to federal and state policy supporting the caregivers and agencies they work for so aging Americans and those in need can receive the necessary care in the comfort of their home,” Lee said.

Click here for information about the other finalists and nominees for the 2023 Caregiver of the Year Award.

IMAGE LINK: Eulodia Ortiz, 2023 Caregiver of the Year, https://web.hcaoa.org/External/WCPages/WCWebContent/webcontentpage.aspx?ContentID=5454

About Home Care Association of America (HCAOA)
Founded in 2002, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) is the industry's leading trade association for home care providers. It represents the industry's unified voice in Washington, DC, and state governments nationwide. HCAOA represents more than 4,500 agencies across the United States.

Nicole Rexer
Home Care Association of America
+1 202-742-5434
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