St. Mary's Hospice Volunteer Joy Elder Wins Rosalynn Carter Institute State Volunteer Caregiving Award

Related Media

AMERICUS, GA (10/12/2011)(readMedia)-- As the general population's average age increases, the importance of caregivers becomes progressively more critical critical to society.

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.

In particular, Watkinsville, Ga. native, Joy Elder, was selected as the 2011 Georgia Volunteer Caregiver of the Year. Nominated by Patsy Massey, volunteer services coordinator of St. Mary's Hospice, Elder has been a hospice volunteer since 1998. Humbled to receive this award, she takes pleasure in helping others.

"I thrive on and find great joy in being able to use my talents, skills, educational background, and resources to help others," Elder said. "I learned the importance of giving back from the example my parents set in my childhood in rural Oconee County, Georgia. Family, neighbors, fellow church members, and people in our community reached out to each other offering time, food, working strength, and compassion in times of need - never thinking about having the favor returned."

In 13 years of service, Elder has provided care and companionship for many families, including a 20-month assignment with a man suffering from Alzheimer's disease. One of Elders own family members was later impacted by this illness.

Research shows that caregivers experience chronic conditions at nearly twice the rate of non-caregivers. The state's demographic trends reflect a similar pattern. Statistics on aging from 2010 show that Georgia has the ninth fastest growing 60+ population and the eighteenth fastest growing 85+ population in America.

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.