Genevieve Embury of Waycross wins Rosalynn Carter Institute Georgia Family Caregiving Award

Related Media

Genevieve Embury of Waycross receives the 2011 Georgia Family Caregiver of the Year Award from former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

AMERICUS, GA (10/13/2011)(readMedia)-- Family caregivers are rarely given their due credit. Georgia Southwestern State University's Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) and the former First Lady herself honored those who serve as caregivers in Georgia and around the nation at the annual RCI Summit Gala Thursday, Oct. 6 at Georgia Southwestern.

Waycross, Ga. native, Genevieve Embury, was selected as the 2011 Georgia Family Caregiver of the Year and received a plaque and a generous cash award. Embury has been her son Stephen's primary caregiver for 42 years. Stephen was severely injured on a construction site when he was just 21. Embury and her husband, George, took Stephen home to care for him after his medical team advised the Emburys to place him in a nursing care facility. The Emburys were already serving as primary caregivers for George's 84-year-old mother.

A number of years later, Embury served as primary caregiver to both her son and husband, as George's health worsened from Alzheimer's disease prior to his death in 2003.

Research shows that caregivers experience chronic conditions at nearly twice the rate of non-caregivers. A nomination essay submitted by Embury's daughter Nancy Hall describes her mother's efforts and devotion to her son's care amidst her own illness.

"Many simply find it remarkable to see her physical strength, mental fortitude and overwhelming determination to remain dedicated to her son's care all these years," said Hall. "They are especially impressed when they learn that she has suffered a heart attack, had two pacemakers implanted, and has a variety of additional ailments of her own."

Embury was nominated for the state family caregiving award by Marilyn Bennett of Altamaha HomeCare Inc, and the nomination was submitted by the Southern Georgia CARE-NET.

Johnson and Johnson, Inc. sponsor the RCI Summit and the Gala Awards Banquet each year.

Georgia Southwestern's Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving was created in 1987 in honor of former First Lady and GSW alumna Rosalynn Carter. Through research, education, and training, the RCI promotes the mental health and well being of individuals, families, and professional caregivers; encourages effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring communities.