Office on Aging celebrates 2024 Older Americans Month Award winners

On May 1, at its inaugural Community Fair, the Larimer County Office on Aging honored two Larimer County residents for their volunteerism, positive attitude, and impact for older adults.

The Older Americans Month Awards, given for Outstanding Senior Volunteer and Outstanding Family Caregiver, were presented by Office on Aging Advisory Council Chair Jacque Penfold and Commissioners Shadduck-McNally and Kefalas during a ceremony that closed out the event. These awards are given annually as a way to show appreciation for older adults and caregivers in our community.

The 2024 Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award was presented to Janis Markuson for the volunteerism and advocacy she demonstrates within her own North College 55+ Senior Community. Lorrie Wellman, who submitted the nomination, listed many ways that Markuson assists her fellow seniors, including help filing taxes, paying bills, and completing Medicaid and Medicare applications.

“Volunteerism is easy for Janis, she takes seniors to doctor appointments, the emergency room, and even takes them to the hospital to be admitted for surgery,” said Wellman. “Family members from out of state have been so touched by her willingness to help their loved ones that they have offered to compensate her for gas and time spent with their father, mother or sister. She takes residents to the store to help them purchase groceries or supplies and prepares food for them and invites them to her home to play games or have a meal. She is the most amazing servant and positive person I have met in all my years of serving seniors.”

The 2024 Outstanding Family Caregiver Award was presented to Bob Branch, who was nominated by Founder and Director of Better People Care LLC, Jill Couch, for the compassionate coordination of his wife’s care. Couch said Branch deserves the award for, “willingly and lovingly giving the very best of himself for the benefit of his wife." 

“Bob has made it his purpose and his privilege to lovingly care for his wife for several years now,” said Couch. “To tend to her needs while coordinating her care. To keep her in their home, even while no one would have thought poorly of him if moving her into a facility might have been easier. To make sure she is clean and well fed and loved and warm and comfortable. To make sure that people who enter her life are there to make her life better. To protect her dignity and her well-being. To make sure she feels like she looks her best.

Congratulations to the 2024 Older Americans Month Award winners and thank you for your contributions to making Larimer County an exceptional place for older adults.