CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions is now accepting nominations for its annual Caregiver of the Year Award. Personal caregivers who support family members or friends of any age, who, for whatever reason, currently are unable to take care of themselves, are eligible for the award.

In 2012, Lebanon resident Pauline Reeves was named CICOA Caregiver of the Year for her dedicated and selfless care to her husband, Mike. Reeves cared for Mike at home for six years after he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive brain disorder with symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In addition, Reeves helped other families by starting a local Lewy Body Dementia support group.

“An estimated 65.7 million people in the United States provide care for an elderly or disabled family member,” said CICOA President and CEO Orion H. Bell IV. “This award was created to recognize those personal caregivers whose sacrifice and service allows individuals stay in their homes longer and lead lives of dignity and independence.”

Nomination forms are now available at www.cicoa.org. Nominations must include the name of the caregiver, relationship of the nominator to the caregiver, and a short paragraph describing how the caregiver models the attributes of courage, sacrifice, strength and creativity in overcoming the sometimes overwhelming stresses and obstacles associated with providing care.

Entries may be submitted online, by email to [email protected] or through the mail (postmarked by March 1) to:

Caregiver of the Year

CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions

4755 Kingsway Drive

Indianapolis, IN 46205

CICOA will present the Caregiver of the Year Award at its Signature Breakfast on April 18, 2013.