Lucy Kennedy Named FHCA 2016 Resident of the Year

Signature HealthCARE of North Florida Resident Earns Top State Honor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2016
CONTACT: Kristen Knapp, APR
(850) 701-3530 or kknapp@fhca.org

Tallahassee, FL – Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has recognized Lucy Kennedy, a resident at Signature HealthCARE of North Florida in Graceville, as its 2016 Resident of the Year. The award, which is given annually to a long term care resident who shows outstanding service to seniors residing in Florida’s long term care centers, was presented by FHCA during the Association’s Annual Conference in Orlando on August 7-11.

Lucy, 73, has served as Resident Council President, volunteers in the center’s country store, and is part of the Sunshine Club, Welcoming Committee, and Planning Committee. Through her volunteer roles, she demonstrates a constant desire to improve the center, taking time to listen and advocate on behalf of the needs of her fellow residents. Her positive attitude and kindness encourage residents to leave their rooms and become more involved in life at the home. Lucy tells everyone who will listen how much she has gained by being a resident of Signature HealthCARE and how much her quality of life has improved there.

Lucy also received a prestigious award from the Eden Alternative program for her role in getting a cost of living increase approved for Florida nursing center residents. In 2014, she worked side by side with state Senator Don Gaetz to fight for the increased Medicaid allowance in the state budget– not because it benefited her, but because she felt it necessary to improve the quality of life for all senior citizens around her.

“Lucy is not an object of sympathy. She is a font of inspiration,” Senator Gaetz said.  “She insisted that ‘This isn’t for me. This is for them. I am speaking for them.’”

Added FHCA Executive Director Emmett Reed: “FHCA is delighted to honor someone with the commitment and drive to help others that Lucy shows every day. Her enthusiasm and dedication to her fellow long term care residents makes her an outstanding role model for seniors across the state.”

ABOUT THE FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation which serves nearly 1,000 members and represents more than 500 long term care facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and sub-acute care, short-term rehab, assisted living, and other services to the elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. The mission of FHCA is to advance the quality of services, image, professional development, and financial stability of its members. As Florida's first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the elderly they serve, the Association has worked diligently since 1954 to assist its members with continuously improving quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population. For more information about the Florida Health Care Association, visit [url=http://www.fhca.org]http://www.fhca.org[/url].

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