For Ellen Atkins, Making a Difference is not a Cliché
by Eddie Goldberg
June 2009
If you’re not familiar with this month’s spotlight subject, it’s only because you probably don’t work within the many fields and causes she’s involved with. But rest assured, you know someone like her.
One of the great perks about writing for magazine you own, is you get to choose who you profile. In spite of the fact that Ellen Atkins will demur from most every word, rest assured, it’s people like Ellen who truly make the difference we all refer to when we say, "Making a difference." She’s made the senior community her cause and her passion for many years, and they are all better off for her efforts.
Politicians may pontificate, foundations and the wealthy contribute money, and lord knows volunteers give of themselves selflessly each day of the year. What Ellen does is make those politicians stay true to their word. She makes certain the contributions are spent wisely, and she makes the volunteers feel even better about what they do.
Ellen makes her living as a long-term care planner. Like everything else in her life, she doesn’t take her career lightly. She believes in the benefits, and when it comes to the ins and outs, I seriously doubt anyone could outshine her knowledge and dedication. She speaks at local and state conferences about its importance. Much of her knowledge came first-hand. "It was the care-giving for my mother and sister that introduced me into the field. After that, I decided this was what my life would be about." Her mom was an Alzheimer’s victim, and her sister passed from breast cancer.
She conducts training for caregivers and leads seminars on aging and the financial planning required for potential health care costs. She’s been featured in Business Leader, Business Journal of the Triad, and Aging Well News. Ellen was also awarded the 2008 Movers and Shakers award by Business Leader Magazine. She is the current President of the Board of the Adult Center for Enrichment; a voting member of the Guildford County Roundtable, where she serves as liaison to the Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities. She’s a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.
I met Ellen at my first ever Triad Retired Living Association meeting. It was announced there that she had received the 2009 Cal Calvert Award for voluntary service. Her most recent achievement was being chosen for one of five fellowships in the University of North Carolina’s Institute on Aging Senior Leadership Program. She says, "This title is fun. Now I have more weight with the department of Health and Human Services." This isn’t about power. She went on, "When they have to listen, I can make more of a difference."
And when it comes to politicians who only talk about doing the right thing, she’s got a few choice words for them too. In deference to Ellen, I won’t name names.
Oh, that phrase about "making a difference" gets bandied about, but as anyone who knows Ellen will willingly attest, she does. She’s proud of her accomplishments, and is the first to admit it, but what she’s most proud of is seeing the fruits of her labor; meaning that her efforts result in someone’s life being made more comfortable, healthier, more enriched.
There is an abundance of examples of what Ellen’s done to make that difference. If you ever see the rating system for assisted living facilities, Ellen’s had a hand in it. When you see someone providing respite care to a shut in, or help a caregiver get some time to themselves, Ellen’s had something to do with that too.
I don’t suggest for a moment that she’s done this single handedly. Fortunately for the rest of us, there are others like Ellen. They pull the weight that we might not have the time for. We all benefit, and in that benefit, she sees her reward.
In addition to all this, Ellen has managed to raise two children, and is blessed with four grandchildren. As I write this, she is "Just where I want to be; with my family for the long weekend. It just doesn’t get any better."