2022 West Region Caregiver of the Year
Congratulations to Maria Castro for her recognition of delivering extraordinary care to clients and their families.
Maria was selected as the West Region Caregiver of the Year among thousands of other caregivers from California, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii for her exemplary commitment to making a difference in the lives of her clients and team members.
Maria Castro has a positive impact on those in her care. “We believe Maria has saved the life of more than one client,” said Leanna Dickstein, Right at Home office owner. “There was one occasion on which she arrived at the home of a client only to find out this woman’s son had abandoned her. She had been alone for six days. We got Adult Protective Services (APS) involved, and Maria cleaned the home, purchased food and stayed with our client long after we had planned. When APS showed up, the social worker had one word to describe Maria—‘amazing.’”
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria and her spouse, who worked at a nursing home, lived apart for nearly one year. “Maria was worried her spouse might get exposed to COVID-19 and she didn’t want to put our clients at risk, so they lived apart to protect the seniors they cared for,” said Dickstein. “This is simply a remarkable show of dedication and resilience. I could not speak more highly of Maria.”
Not only has Maria had an impact on the seniors she cares for, but she also has had an impact on her co-workers. According to Janelle Woods, Director of Client Care for Right at Home, “Maria is the epitome of compassion and selflessness. She’s been with us for nearly 10 years and has surpassed our expectations. Every client Maria has worked with raves about her kind demeanor, dedication and skill. She stands out as one of the best.”
Maria has been with Right at Home for nine years, working as a caregiver in Burbank, California, for office owners Leanna and Doug Dickstein. Maria’s compassion, selflessness and willingness to go above and beyond have made her a valued member of Right at Home and a beloved caregiver for seniors in her community.
Honoring Our Caregivers
National and Regional Caregivers of the Year are the highest honors awarded by Right at Home. Caregivers are nominated for their exemplary commitment to making a difference in the lives of their clients and teams. The winners are selected by a committee that includes Right at Home representatives and community professionals from outside health care, senior care and caregiving organizations. The award is presented annually during the organization’s conference.