People making a difference in the lives of nursing home residents were honored Thursday at a statewide aging conference in Birmingham.
The Alabama Gerontological Society (AGS) presented awards to Sam Wingard and Dr. Joyce Varner to recognize their contributions to older Alabamians.
Sam Wingard and Winston, a trained therapy dog, received the Individual Award. Sam and Winston regularly visit Montgomery area nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Winston is a Great Pyrenees, a breed that is well suited to be a therapy dog.
Winston resting at home.
“Its wonderful to be recognized, but the real thing that’s wonderful about it is you see how much the elderly enjoy having Winston around,” Wingard said. “They pet him and love on him and talk about when they had dogs.”
AGS presents the Individual Award to a person over the age of 60 in recognition of outstanding service toward the improvement and continued well-being of older adults. Currently, Sam and Winston visit Crowne Health Care of Montgomery, Capitol Hill Health & Rehab First and Hillview Terrace Rehab Select.
“It’s just all about him…everybody at the nursing home knows who Winston is, but nobody knows what my name is,” Wingard laughed.
You can read a detailed account of Winston’s incredible story here.
Dr. Joyce Varner at the AGS Conference in Birmingham, AL.
AGS presented the Professional Award to Dr. Joyce Varner, a professor of nursing at the University of South Alabama.
“It makes me feel humbled,” Dr. Varner said when receiving the award. “It makes me feel proud and it validates the work that I have been doing for the last 15 years which is entirely focused on elders and their needs.”
Dr. Varner’s passion is teaching advance practice nurses how to properly care for elderly individuals and teaching caregivers how to take care of themselves so they can deliver better care.
“Throughout my entire career, I’ve focused on what the elderly’s needs are and the needs of their caregivers,” Dr. Varner said. “Because their care is only as good as the emotional, mental and physical health of the people who care for them.”
Dr. Varner has served two terms as vice-chair of the Alabama Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators. She is a regular speaker at Alabama Nursing Home Association seminars.
According to AGS, the Professional Award is presented to an individual employed in the field of aging in recognition of exceptional efforts above and beyond the scope of their job description and duties in enhancing the lives of older Alabamians.
Click here for more information about the Alabama Gerontological Society.
Click here to learn more about a pet therapy program at a north Alabama nursing home.
