2023 Southeast Regional Caregiver of the Year
Markia Jenkins Provides Attentive Caregiving
Congratulations to Markia Jenkins from Right at Home Bradenton, Florida, on her recognition as the 2023 Right at Home Southeast Region Caregiver of the Year! She was selected from thousands of other caregivers for her exemplary commitment to making a difference in the lives of her clients and team members.
Caregiving is a calling for Markia. She provides reassuring overnight care to seniors at a local independent living facility.
It’s innate for Markia to get to know her clients on a personal level. Her attentiveness to their habits and personality traits led to her discovering a health condition in one of her clients.
When first caring for one of the residents with diabetes, Markia took it upon herself to research and learn more about the disease, along with understanding her client’s care plan. Markia stayed alert all night to monitor the senior’s insulin levels. She paid close attention to the senior’s diet and daily patterns and noted any changes in the senior’s health or behavior.
Markia was the first to pick up on a sudden change in her client’s mood. The senior seemed irritable and less engaged than usual. Knowing her client personally, Markia could tell the senior’s behavior was not typical and quickly contacted the Right at Home office to report the change. Her intuition led to the early detection of a urinary tract infection that would have only worsened without proper medical care.
“Time and again, Markia goes above and beyond to provide professional, compassionate caregiving to our clients,” said Jeramie Snelling, owner of Right at Home Bradenton. “She is a valuable part of our Right at Home team and incredibly deserving of this Caregiver of the Year award.”
Markia’s personalized care has brought her and her client even closer together. When the senior had a recent fall and needed to stay in a rehabilitation center, she immediately called the office to request Markia as her caregiver during her stay.
“Making my client smile is the greatest gift,” said Markia.
Markia’s selflessness and willingness to go the extra mile have made her a valued member of Right at Home and a beloved caregiver for seniors in the Bradenton 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.