Katrice Turner Named 2022 Caregiver of the Year

​Today the Home Care Association of America named Katrice Turner of Absolute Companion Care in Monkton, MD, as the 2022 Caregiver of the Year. Turner was selected as the top home caregiver in the country from more than 300 caregivers from nearly all 50 states. She will be recognized at a special luncheon event during the HCAOA Annual Leadership Conference this Sunday, September 18.

Katrice Turner of Absolute Companion Care in Monkton, MD, is the 2022 Caregiver of the Year

Turner’s nomination from Absolute Companion Care Executive Director Kathryn C. Rogers, M.Ed., painted a moving picture of Turner’s journey with the organization. Within a year of joining the agency in 2009, Turner’s resourcefulness, attentiveness, empathy, and leadership propelled her career growth within the company as she rose to Team Lead for a full 24/7 team.
 
As a caregiver and Team Lead, Turner has cared for the same client with many members of the same team for 12 years. She has built a level of trust with the client, their family, her team and her agency that is admirable.
 
“At a time when home care agencies are facing the same critical workforce shortage as many other industries and are being forced to turn clients away because they don’t have enough caregivers to staff cases, it is remarkably inspiring to recognize someone who is not only committed to providing care to those who need it in their homes, but also someone who has grown and evolved with the same agency for more than 10 years,” said Vicki Hoak, HCAOA CEO.
 
“Katrice took a post-stroke client with severe depression from not wanting to leave her home to getting beautifully dressed, fully made-up, and [going] out into the community to enjoy social activities every week,” Rogers said.
 
Turner’s anticipation of needs and problem-solving have greatly benefited her client as well, Rogers shared.
 
“Katrice then created a care plan so that when this client's husband began showing signs of dementia – she was the first to notice and alerted the agency and the family immediately! – and needed full-time care, they were able to stay together and age gracefully,” said Rogers. “She is resourceful, attentive, empathetic, and adaptive. Her dependability knows no bounds, never missing a shift, never letting her standards down, and never accepting less than those standards from others on her team.”
 
HCAOA received many outstanding nominations of caregivers who have served clients selflessly. Turner’s nomination stood out for a different reason though.
 
“What made Katrice exemplary was her dedication to her employer and the career path she has created at her agency – something HCAOA supports as part of our policy priorities outlined in the State of Home Care: Industry at a Crossroads report released earlier this year,” Hoak said. “To ensure there are enough caregivers for the rising tide of aging Americans, recruitment and retention practices need to be improved – particularly given high turnover rates and the projected shortage of needed caregivers.”
 
Congratulations to Katrice Turner and to all of our finalists!
 
Read more about the other finalists and nominees for the 2022 Caregiver of the Year Award here.  

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