Community News

The 10^th Annual Best of Friends Award Ceremony was held to honor exceptional home health care professionals who made a significant contribution to the well-being of the people they serve – people often challenged in some of the hardest days and years of their lives. 

Friends Life Care Partners is pleased to announce the winners of the 10th Annual Best of Friends Award.  Winners were nominated by the people served by caregivers.  This event was established to enable those receiving care to share their gratitude and honor the stellar care experienced through the year. 

As the nation’s population continues to age, the need for home care also grows.  According to the latest research from National Association for Home Care and Hospice, there were approximately 12 million individuals receiving home care in 2010; up from 7.2 million in 2000. 

“The home health aides who serve Friends Life Care members are extraordinary.  To these award recipients, being a caregiver is a compassionate calling…not a job.  Our members certainly sense this and welcome the opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful service received.” says Carol Barbour, President of Friends Life Care.

The Best of Friends Award reflects the mission of Friends Life Care -- to help people remain in their home as they age.  Winners were celebrated at a luncheon ceremony held November 19, 2015.  They were rewarded with cash prizes and personalized certificates.  The 2015 Best of Friends winners are:

FIRST PLACE, HOURLY:  Ahyieh Mansuo, Griswold Home Care & Patsy Pennicott, Caring Friends Home Care

SECOND PLACE, HOURLY: Bonnie Messano, Griswold Home Care & Merriam Martin, Home Helpers

THIRD PLACE, HOURLY: Tamika Whiting, Silver Lining & Caroline Longmore-Green, Caring Friends Home Care

FIRST PLACE, LIVE IN:  Elma Govia, Silver Lining & Taswaysha Clark, Silver Lining

SECOND PLACE, LIVE IN:  Elaine Johnson, Silver Lining & Sheila Kline, Life Force (State of DE)

THIRD PLACE, LIVE IN: Keisha Greenfield, Human Touch

HONORABLE MENTION:  Michelle Gould, Silver Lining; Evadne Topping, Caring Friends Home Care; Addie Johnson, Reliance Home Care; Noreen Gilmartin, Silver Lining; Shirley May Williams, Silver Lining; Pauline Strong, Silver Lining; Marilyn Price, Care First Nursing; Linda Smith, Your Own Home; Miriam Martin, Home Helpers; Fatomato (Acha)Diallo, Silver Lining; Ethel Manyeah, Silver Lining; Lisa Washington, Silver Lining; Lisa Bryant, Granny’s Helping Hands; Nicole Manuel; Human Touch; Cecile Ceron, Human Touch; Elizabeth Johnson, Silver Lining; Marie Dorlean, Human Touch.

Attendees were captivated by the message of keynote speaker, Monique Braxton.  She highlighted her firsthand experiences as caregiver for her now 91-year old father – a brave and proud Marine Veteran who still strives to live as independently as possible.  Monique Braxton is an Emmy-award winning journalist.  She is currently with NBC10 in Philadelphia and is distinguished by her coverage of breaking news and the quality of her exclusive interviews.  Braxton is also recognized for her volunteerism and work in the community for which she has received numerous awards and honors.  Her passion and commitment to her work and to giving back was evident in her presentation.  The personal thoughts and feelings she shared were appreciated and echoed by the Friends Life Care home care aides she helped to recognize. 

About Friends Life Care: 
Friends Life Care offers  long term care protection by providing wellness programs, home health care, related personal-care services and facility care to enrolled members in the Philadelphia and Delaware areas. Individuals and couples become members of Friends Life Care in order to protect their independence, guard their financial security and gain peace of mind. All member care is coordinated by a team of credentialed and selected professionals and provided by carefully screened aides.