DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Nov. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Caregiving is the core of the U.S. long-term care system. In fact, the value of care provided by over 39 million American unpaid informal caregivers is estimated at $306 billion annually. Yet the strain of caring for frail or disabled relatives often results in emotional, physical and mental health problems for the caregiver.
To recognize and reward caregivers who often put their own needs last, national nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation and Parentgiving.com created the "Caring for the Caregiver" award and are excited to announce that Claudette Tuttle of Riverhead, New York has been chosen as the winner, a recognition that coincides with National Caregivers Month.
Tuttle, 65, has been caring for her 92-year-old bedridden mother, Alice, since 2000. She is responsible for all of her mom's daily care and continued in her commitment even after she herself suffered a terrible fall five years ago that left her with a broken sternum and debilitating pain in her hip and back. Until two years ago Tuttle worked for the Riverhead Central School District for 22 years, 13 of them as a full-time bus driver. In March 2013, a devastating fire destroyed her family home and possessions. Tuttle's beloved pets died in the tragic fire. Luckily, Tuttle escaped injury as did her mother who was staying in a small cottage on the property. Tuttle was nominated by her sister, Nancy Hansen of Stratham, New Hampshire, for her dedication to caring for their mother despite all her own hardships. Tuttle and a friend will get her wish of going to the Christmas Spectacular show at Radio City Music Hall, followed by dinner in Manhattan, while her sister takes care of their mother for the day.
Twilight Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to honor and enrich the lives of deserving seniors through wish granting celebrations that connect generations. Since our founding in 2003, Twilight Wish has granted over 1,950 individual wishes to deserving, low-income seniors, thanks to volunteers, corporate and community involvement, and donations. Recent wishes granted include a visit from a string band for a nursing home resident's 89th birthday party, transporting a nursing home resident to Christmas Eve dinner with her family, and hearing aids for an Army veteran who wished to hear his grandchildren's voices. For more on Twilight Wish Foundation, visit www.twilightwish.org or call Mary Farrell, Director of Community Relations, 215-230-8777 ext. 103
Parentgiving.com is an online destination for seniors and their caregivers, offering thousands of homecare products and medical supplies, delivered fast, right to the home. Top sellers include durable medical equipment, such as walkers, bed rails, bath safety bars, incontinence supplies, and daily living aids. Parentgiving.com also offers a wealth of free information on eldercare, articles and news, Q&A with experts on aging, and healthy aging resources. For more, visit www.Parentgiving.com or call Julie Davis at 203-984-4424.