Right at Home Names Vicki Bailiff of Des Moines, Iowa, National Caregiver of the Year

Right at Home, the 600-plus location in-home care concept helping seniors and adults with disabilities live comfortably at home, recently named Vicki Bailiff, a caregiver at Right at Home West Des Moines, Iowa, as the 2023 National Caregiver of the Year during its national conference in Orlando, Florida.

Bailiff’s compassion, selflessness, and willingness to go above and beyond are qualities that make her a valued member of Right at Home and a beloved caregiver for local seniors. One instance that demonstrates these characteristics took place during the 2022 Christmas season. The caregiver planned to spend the Christmas Day holiday with her family and friends, but when she learned other caregivers had also requested the day off, she worried that many clients without loved ones would be alone on the holiday.

So, she decided she would be the one to bring those clients an abundance of holiday cheer.

Bailiff put on her Santa hat, visited each client's home, and presented them with a small gift and a stocking filled with homemade treats she had baked and wrapped. She also spent quality time with each client, engaging in conversation, taking selfies, and enjoying hot cocoa and cookies.

This is just one instance of Bailiff’s kindness, which has always extended beyond holidays. She is known for consistently bringing goodies to share during introductory visits with new clients, saying that “food is a way to everyone’s heart.”

During the conference, Right at Home also recognized eight other caregivers across the country for their excellent commitment to their clients. These people included:

• West Region Caregiver of the Year: Tabitha Miller of Tucson, AZ (office owners Karen and Sunir Kochhar)

• East Central Region Caregiver of the Year: Tammy Summers of Winston-Salem, NC (office owners Jackie and Greg Brewer)

• Northeast Region Caregiver of the Year: Nancy Green-Krochmal of White Plains, NY (office owner Lou Giampa)

• Mid-Atlantic Region Caregiver of the Year: Michelle Gaughran of Virginia Beach, VA (branch director Terra Dehler)

• Southwest Region Caregiver of the Year: Kassie Leach of Kingwood, TX (office owners Brenda and Jim Royal)

• Southeast Region Caregiver of the Year: Markia Jenkins of Bradenton, FL (office owner Jeramie Snelling)

• Northwest Central Region Caregiver of the Year: Dianna Church of Eugene, OR (office owners Carol and Ed Mosman)

• Midwest Region Caregiver of the Year: Anel Metellus of Cedar Rapids, IA (office owners Stephanie and John Humphries)