Home Instead Senior Care Announces Winners of its Caregiver Cruise Contest

A Sylmar woman has been named the winner of Home Instead Senior Care's 2011 Caregiver Cruise contest. Eva Yanez will receive a five-night, six-day Caregiver Stress Management Cruise courtesy of the Home Instead Senior Care offices that serve the Los Angeles area.

Recognized for her commitment and the outstanding care she provides for her disabled daughter, Yanez and a guest will travel on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Sea. The ship will set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 21, 2012, with stops in Belize City and Cozumel.

Nominated by her close friend, Emerita Jimenez, Yanez is the primary caregiver for her 24-year-old daughter, Wendy, who suffered severe brain damage at birth and is unable to talk, walk or eat on her own. In her nomination essay, Jimenez wrote about her friend's unwavering devotion to her bedridden child.

"Eva quit her job to dedicate her love and attention to Wendy," Jimenez wrote. "All these years, Eva never goes to parties, family reunions or anything that would take her away from Wendy, because she has nobody else to care for her. It is Eva who has been there for Wendy's bedridden 24 years of life."

"Eva is my role model as she is always full of love – not just for Wendy but for others," Jimenez added. "Eva is an awesome mother, a terrific friend, and she deserves so much more."

Home Instead Senior Care sponsored the getaway and partnered with the Southern California Stroke Association and the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center to get the word out to all those deserving family caregivers. Also, CaregiverCruises.com will ensure that the winner and their guest receive the VIP treatment during the cruise. Local franchise owners are purchasing and awarding cruises to honor their area's family caregivers who are going the extra mile to care for dependent adults or seniors.

"Family caregivers seldom get away because of the time commitments and responsibility of caregiving," said Gary Reid owner of one of the participating Home Instead Senior Care Offices. "That's why we are grateful for the opportunity to help these deserving men and women. Family caregivers – those who care for seniors and other dependent family members – truly are unsung heroes in our community."

The cruise package includes meals, airfare and hotel stay before the cruise for the winner and their guest. In addition to the much-needed getaway, Yanez will receive free respite care for her daughter provided by the Home Instead Senior Care network in Los Angeles area during the week that she is on the cruise.

For more information about caregiver cruises go to www.CaregiverCruises.com and to learn more about Home Instead Senior Care visit www.homeinstead.com.