The Home Instead Senior Care office serving Saratoga, Washington and Warren counties is again sponsoring the popular "Caring Today" magazine's "Give a Caregiver a Break" essay contest to honor family caregivers for their tireless service and dedication. The contest will award $16,000 in free caregiving services to the winning essay writers.
In 500 words or less, non-professional family caregivers can relate their caregiving experiences, including the challenges they've faced, how they've embraced their role as a caregiver for a senior loved one and inspired others. Entries can be submitted until June 15. Since the contest's inception, hundreds of family caregivers have shared their personal stories.
The grand prize is $5,000 of free care from Home Instead Senior Care, the world's largest provider of non-medical companionship and home care for seniors. Two first prize winners will each receive $2,500 of free care from Home Instead Senior Care. In addition, 12 extraordinary caregivers will each receive $500 in service. The top three winning essays will be published in the fall issue of Caring Today and all 15 winning essays will appear on www.caringtoday.com.
Last year's grand prize winner was Laura Wetherington, a devoted wife from Bluffton, S.C., who gave up her dream retirement to serve as a full-time caregiver for her husband, Gary, who has Pick's disease, a form of dementia.
Complete rules for this year's contest can be found in the spring issue of "Caring Today" or online at www.caringtoday.com or www.homeinstead.com.