Life Improved Awards - Jaime Ladison

The results are in and seven winners have been selected to receive Life Improved Awards. Today we're honoring Jaime Ladison.

Nominations were scored based on four criteria - improvement to the lives of others, embodiment the U.H. mission, examples provided show work above and beyond the duties of their job description, and the number of nominations received.

Jaime is a social work assistant and works at Maplewood in Canton. She was presented with a United Helpers Life Improved T-Shirt.

Here's some of what people had to say about Jaime.

"Last April, Thelma, a 93 year old lady was admitted to the the West Neighborhood for a short term rehabilitation stay. Thelma had been hospitalized and was too weak to return home at that time. Her daughter and grandson had been her supports in the community and accompanied her on her admission. She had lived with her grandson and relied heavily on him.
Thelma wanted to go home more than anything. She had talked to Jaime about wanting to go home since the day she was admitted. She had lived in her long time Potsdam home with her husband. He died nine years earlier and she told Jamie she still cried for him everyday. That is where she wanted to live and die too.
Shortly after admission, however, the daughter and grandson dropped out of sight. They said Thelma had to stay in the nursing home, because they could not take care of her. They even told Jaime they didn't want to be contacted anymore. They literally disappeared. Thelma was distraught, depressed and did not want to live. She was mad at staff, her family and the world.
Jaime struggled to keep her own emotions under control because she wanted to help Thelma, but did not know what to do. Jaime made up her mind to advocate for Thelma and do whatever she could to get her home. She educated Thelma on living options, set up appointments for her to meet with community supports, and made arrangements for Thelma to have the care and support she needed to go home, including home care, meals on wheels, lifeline, and neighbor supports. Jaime even went to Thelma's home herself to fix her phone, as all of Thelma's family had abandoned her.
At the end of May (2014), Thelma moved back to her home in Potsdam. She sent Jaime the attached letter a few weeks later. Thelma died eight months later, but was able to accomplish her goal of living... and dying at home. Jaime still has the original letter on her bulletin board."

The contents of that letter follow:

"Jaime with love,

Thank you Jaime. I am so happy.

Love Thelma"

Over the next several days, the two remaining winners will be notified by surprise and announced here. Each winner's photo will also be posted on the United Helpers' Facebook page.

Jaime joins Billie Jo Thornhill and Bonnie Hitsman from Mosaic and Allen Mills and Cindi Corbine from RiverLedge, as already announced Life Improved Award winners.

Twenty-one employees received nominations and each nominee will receive a small token of appreciation for the work they do to help improve the lives of the people we serve.