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ALFA Recognizes Dedicated Employee of The Orchards at Bartley Healthcare With 2007 Hero Award For Nurturing Residents' Spirits As Well As Their Health

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – For Kathy Gonzalez, a C.N.A. and resident assistant employed for more than 5 years at The Orchards at Bartley Assisted Living, the job means nurturing each resident's spirit, as well as their health.

The Assisted Living Federation of America, ALFA, recognized Ms. Gonzalez's good work with its 2007 ALFA Caregiver Hero Award, presented before an audience of over 1,000 senior healthcare professionals during the organization's national convention in Dallas on May 15. ALFA selected Ms. Gonzalez from hundreds of nominees as the recipient of the 2007 Caregiver Hero Award. Upon receiving the award, Kathy noted that her efforts on behalf of the residents in her care is nothing more that others at Bartley do everyday and that she is receiving the award on behalf of the team of special caregivers at Bartley.

The Caregiver Hero Award is not the first recognition of Kathy's care for others and her leadership example. Kathy is a two time Employee of the Year for The Orchards at Bartley Assisted Living. Ms. Gonzalez takes her duties beyond The Orchards at Bartley, visiting residents that are admitted to the hospital to make sure they know they are missed and to offer encouragement for them to hurry home to The Orchards at Bartley.

"Kathy visits our residents in the hospital because that's what's in her heart. She sits by their bedside, holds their hands, and rarely mentions having made the visit," said Bartley Healthcare President and CEO Philip Scalo. "Her attitude, smile, calm demeanor and genuine love of people make her one of our heroes."

Known for going out of her way at work to make residents feel special, Gonzalez's extraordinary patience and kindness comfort residents, instilling confidence that they are receiving excellent, individualized care.

One example of Ms. Gonzalez going above and beyond her duties cited in her nomination involved her efforts on behalf of a resident whose mother had died. Gonzalez purchased a suit for the man, then tailored it herself to fit him so that he could attend his mother's funeral.

"That was especially conscientious, as this resident's mother was his primary caregiver," Mr. Scalo said. "When his mother passed away, Kathy took on the nurturing and comforting role and she continues to show special attention to him."

Ms. Gonzalez has shown a special affection for those residents who do not have family nearby, taking each of them to lunch for their birthdays. Each morning, she takes extra time to fix our memory care residents' hair, puts their makeup and jewelry on, and encourages them to remain independent in their choices for as long as they are able. She shops for residents and takes them out shopping for special occasions, on her own time. Ms. Gonzalez even makes centerpieces for each dining room table for every occasion throughout the year.

Last September, she managed to make the time to bake a tiered wedding cake for a "wedding day" during which residents wore veils and listened to the wedding march, as they reminisced about their own weddings.

"Kathy has a calming way about her that makes everybody that comes in contact with her feel special and appreciated," Mr. Scalo said. "The residents trust her genuine nature and her true and honest approach to everything she does. We value Kathy and the example she sets for all of us, on making a difference in the lives of our residents every day."