2012 Outstanding Caregiver Award in Senior Housing Presented to Sue Peters of Alexian Village of Elk Grove

The Illinois Department on Aging and AALC partnered together to present the 2012 Outstanding Caregiver Award in Senior Housing. The annual award recognizes a direct care worker, over the age of 55, who has provided outstanding direct caregiving to seniors in Illinois’ senior housing. This year the Department on Aging chose to highlight supportive living and reserved the awards exclusively for supportive living residents. Numerous entries were received for the award. Each entry told the story of a supportive living care worker who went beyond their daily responsibilities to care for their residents. The final selection was made, and the 2012 Outstanding Caregiver Award was presented to Sue Peters, Life Enrichment Aide/Administrative Assistant at Alexian Village of Elk Grove during the Governor’s Conference on Aging in Chicago on December 14.

Sue Peters, Life Enrichment Aide/Administrative Assistant, Alexian Village of Elk Grove

 As the LEA, Sue values connection with the residents, co-workers, and visitors. She champions quality of life for her residents through small, thoughtful actions on a daily basis. Sue’s connections go deeper than a “Hi, how are you?” Sue makes a point to learn about the residents’ histories, and who they are today – likes, dislikes, passions and fears. Knowing how important it is emotionally and psychologically for her senior residents to feel connected to others, Sue took the initiative to start an intergenerational reading program with the local elementary school at which she also works part-time. The reading program lifts the self-esteem and spirits of the participating seniors and students alike. Sue is not only there for the residents, but she is a role model to her co-workers, reminding them to keep their eyes, minds, and hearts open to opportunities that exist to better seniors’ lives.