Kay Gunderson Receives Outstanding Volunteer Award

Kay Gunderson, a volunteer for the KIPDA Long Term Care Ombudsman program, received the Outstanding Volunteer Award for the State of Kentucky at the Elder Abuse Awareness Rally on Friday, May 15, 2009.  Kay was recognized for her commitment and dedication to the elderly for the past nine years.

As a volunteer Ombudsman, Kay has been an advocate for residents in nursing homes and visits residents weekly. She talks, listens, and works diligently to assist them in resolving any complaints or concerns they may have.  Kay draws from her 34 years of experience as a Licensed Social Worker with Family and Children Services.  In addition to her Ombudsman activities, Kay has served as an interviewer for South East Associated Ministries for 14 years. She has also visited homes of those in financial need through her volunteer work with St. Vincent de Paul and has worked in their thrift store. For the last four years she has provided a babysitting service for stay-at-home moms during their monthly meetings. Kay has dedicated her life to advocating for those in need.

Kay shared a card sent to her by a resident in the nursing home. The resident said, "We don’t get time to thank you for the time you take to listen to us. You know it means a lot when you need someone like you, and you don't know where to go." We would also like to take the time now to say, "Thank you, Kay!"