Iona’s Senior Advocate, Vera Mayer, Named “The Public Citizen of the Year” by National Association of Social Workers

Washington, D.C.–Vera Mayer, Senior Advocate at Iona Senior Services, was honored today as “The Public Citizen of the Year” by the DC Metro Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). This commendation was presented to Vera at the annual awards ceremony and luncheon as part of the social work conference, “Social Workers—Agents of Change:  Journey of Remembrance and Renewal” held at the Kellogg Center from March 4 – 6, 2009.

Vera has worked for years to improve the quality of life for seniors and disabled adults in the District of Columbia.  She was one of the moving forces behind the District’s Aging and Disability Medicaid Waiver application to provide for community-based long term care rather than institutional placements for aging and disabled adults who need assistance.  She continues to work to improve the quality of services by advocating for improved oversight of providers and standardized training and supervision of direct service aides.

“I am extremely happy to receive this award and to be recognized by a group of people that are champions in their own right,” stated Vera Mayer. “I honestly believe that the benefits of my work far outweigh my efforts and for that I am grateful.”

Vera has been a strong supporter of the Living Wage legislation and continues to advocate for funding so that agencies will pay direct service aides (homemakers, personal care aides, certified home health aides, etc.) the living wage and provide for basic health benefits.

In 2007 Vera organized the ad hoc Guardianship Group to look for a means of improving the quality of guardianship services for incapacitated adults who have no family or friends to act on their behalf. This multi-disciplinary group identified weaknesses and strengths of the current guardianship system and eventually developed priorities and recommendations for the court.  Vera’s  efforts resulted in the Chief Judge signing an Order approving a pilot program to include the appointment of social workers and other health professionals as guardians (in addition to lawyers)  and establishing a social work monitoring unit for the program.

Vera’s work has become her life’s passion and she is the epitome of a true and sincere champion of the under-served and vulnerable. She continues to fight to improve the quality of live for senior and disabled residents.

“Yes, I have given much time, energy and expertise to these critical issues,” stated Vera Mayer.  “I have been blessed with receiving invaluable gifts of friendship, personal satisfaction and successes, beyond my greatest expectations”.

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Iona Senior Services is a non profit organization founded in 1975 that works with people 60 years and older, their families and caregivers. Iona’s professional staff and dedicated volunteers provide a comprehensive range of information and services designed to help seniors maintain their independence.