Philadelphia Woman Gets Facility's Award As Most Dedicated Family Caregiver
By Michelle Durham
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A local health care organization has honored a woman who sacrificed to care for her parents.
Mercy LIFE ("Living Independently For Elders") operates three centers in Philadelphia that offer a variety of services to the elderly.
Janet Chestnut (second from right in photo) was nominated by staff members, according to director of marketing Taryn Duckett (far left in photo), who says Chestnut's parents were enrolled in social programs at one of their centers several days a week.
"Janet has been so dedicated," Duckett says, "to put her own life on hold, to move closer to her parents, to make sure they have everything they need."
All while balancing the needs of her husband, grown children, and grandchildren.
Chestnut says she took her cue from her parents.
"My mom always told me, if you are going to do something, don't do it halfway. In caring for them, I didn't consider not being available. My parents need to be taken care of today and I'm going to go do it."
Although her father passed away recently, she continues to put her mother's needs first.
This is the second year for the caregiver award. Chestnut received a beautiful plaque, a full day of pampering at a premiere spa, and a proclamation from Mayor Nutter expressing his gratitude and appreciation for such a special city resident.
