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Brookdale Senior Living recognizes that its associates make a huge difference in the lives of the seniors it serves. Recently, 21 of its associates were honored by the Assisted Living Federation of America’s (ALFA) 2008 Hero Awards.
ALFA called for nominations of workers in the assisted living sector, including anyone who has shown extraordinary dedication, courage or leadership. Dee Aponte, life enrichment coordinator of Sterling House Fort Myers, a Brookdale Senior Living assisted living community, received top honors and was recognized as the ALFA Hero in the staff member category this month at the annual ALFA Conference in Orlando, Fla. Another 20 Brookdale associates were honored as ALFA Champions.
In nominating Aponte, Susan Lone, the executive director of Sterling House Fort Myers praises her as “a true hero to our residents, family members, friends, peers, and, of course, her own family.”
“Dee is an inspiration to all who know her,” said Lone. “Her dedication and devotion to our residents is unfounded.”
Aponte truly showed her commitment and desire to always put the residents’ needs first during a difficult time in her life. A member of a large family, Aponte received news that one of her siblings suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in Orlando. Before leaving, Aponte gave the community an activity schedule for the next few days, including volunteers she contacted to cover segments of the day.
“She was terribly worried that the residents may suffer while she was out on such short notice,” said Lone.
Aponte arrived in Orlando, along with other family members and her parents. Before her father could visit his son, he tragically suffered a stroke and a heart attack and passed away in the same hospital. Aponte returned to Sterling House Fort Myers a few days later before leaving for the funeral. But before she left, she took the time to set up a schedule for the residents during the next few weeks by rallying all of her volunteers.
“I have never seen such dedication in all my life,” said Lone. “Dee is the most deserving person I know, and I am truly honored to work along side her every day.”
Aponte started her employment with Sterling House Fort Myers in January 2000. Some of the day to day activities she leads and assists residents with are holiday events at the Naples Zoo and writing letters with the residents on Valentine’s Day and Veterans Day to the armed forces. Aponte also coordinates bi-weekly visits to the county library, and has been know to bring back as many as 90 books for the residents to enjoy. She heads the resident council meetings every month, and is instrumental in bringing any suggestions to the correct department.
In addition, Brookdale Senior Living’s ALFA Champions of Senior Living are listed below. After the ALFA Heroes have been selected, ALFA acknowledges additional exemplary nominees as Champions of Senior Living.
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Nominee |
Category |
Community |
City |
State |
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Sherlie Francois |
Caregiver |
Homewood Boca Raton |
Boca Raton |
Fla. |
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Ruth Kaiser |
Caregiver |
Sterling House Piqua |
Piqua |
Ohio |
|
Maxcensia Kyobe |
Caregiver |
Heritage Club at Aurora |
Aurora |
Colo. |
|
Peggy Needham |
Caregiver |
Westlake Village |
Westlake |
Ohio |
|
Dianne Denny |
Executive Director |
Southerland Place |
Midlothian |
Va. |
|
Patricia Johnson |
Executive Director |
Clare Bridge of Spokane |
Spokane |
Wash. |
|
Cheryl Walker |
Executive Director |
Homewood at Richmond Heights |
Richmond Heights |
Ohio |
|
Dia DePaula, RN |
Nurse |
Clare Bridge Williamsville |
Williamsville |
N.Y. |
|
Linda Kayajian |
Nurse |
Wynwood Manlius |
Manlius |
N.Y. |
|
Pat McMackin |
Nurse |
Carriage Club Charlotte |
Charlotte |
N.C. |
|
Debra Oatman |
Nurse |
Freedom Village Brandywine |
Coatesville |
Pa. |
|
Terri O'Neal |
Nurse |
Southwest Florida |
|
|
|
Carole Perry |
Nurse |
Salisbury Gardens |
Salisbury |
N.C. |
|
Peggy Shaffer |
Nurse |
Multiple communities |
|
|
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Beverly Goins |
Staff Member |
Sterling House of Parklane |
Columbia |
S.C. |
|
Cyndie Ogan |
Staff Member |
Sterling House of LeHigh Acres |
LeHigh Acres |
Fla. |
|
Robert Goldfinger |
Volunteer |
Grand Court Tampa |
Tampa |
Fla. |
|
Scott Ridgeway |
Volunteer |
Multiple communities in Okla. |
|
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Karen Steeb |
Volunteer |
Union Park |
Monroe |
N.C. |
|
Rev. Howard Wimmer |
Volunteer |
Homewood Cleveland Park |
Greenville |
S.C. |
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