Janet Bross, a personal care resident aide at United Zion Retirement Community (UZRC), received LeadingAge PA's Distinguished Service Award for Direct Caregiver of the Year at the LeadingAge PA annual conference held on June 23 in Hershey. Bross has been working in senior care at UZRC for more than 40 years.

Bross received the award in recognition for her dedication to providing compassionate, quality care to residents. Her work has exemplified UZRC values of nurturing respect, delivering excellence, building community, ensuring integrity, and promoting stewardship. Bross said she plans to continue working "until she can't physically do it anymore" because she enjoys her work and sees it as a mission of love.

UZRC leadership received the suggestion to nominate Bross from her director. "(UZRC) submitted the nomination, which included a video featuring residents and team members, two letters of reference, and a general overview of why (the leadership felt) she deserved the award," said Megan Weiss, director of marketing and development for UZRC. Specifically, Bross is known for being available to listen and be supportive to both residents and team members, consistently recognizing the needs of residents. During the pandemic, she anticipated the challenges residents would experience in a more limited social situation, and she took steps to increase one-to-one interactions.

Growing up, Bross was close to her three sets of grandparents. While still attending high school, she became connected to a local retirement community, which led to her taking a job in senior living. Bross sees the residents she works with like extended family. Weiss said that Bross felt "deeply honored to have been awarded Caregiver of the Year."

UZRC director of personal care Miranda Troyer noted, "Janet never fails to go above and beyond to show our residents how much we care for them and gives each one the absolute best quality of care." Troyer pointed out that Bross has been an asset to the personal care team. "She never complains, and (she) goes through the day with a permanent smile on her face," said Troyer. "Janet has built relationships with the residents in personal care, (so) she knows each one of them almost as well as their own families. She has a true heart for what she does, and it truly shows."

UZRC, located at 722 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz, is a Life Plan Community offering independent residential living cottages and apartments, personal care services, and skilled nursing care for long-term care and short-term rehabilitation. Established in 1905, the nonprofit community has a longstanding tradition of service, with a faith-inspired mission. More information may be found at http://www.uzrc.org.