LAGUNA WOODS, CA, April 01, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Marilyn Ditty's commitment and compassion to seniors in Orange County truly embodies the phrase "going above and beyond." In her more than 20 years as founder and CEO of Laguna Woods-based nonprofit Age Well Senior Services (Age Well), Dr. Ditty has embraced seniors in the community - physically and metaphorically - to provide them with the services needed to live long, independent and meaningful lives.
As a respected gerontologist and tireless advocate for seniors, Dr. Ditty has made it her life's work to create Orange County programs aimed at helping elders learn and thrive through the later stages of life. Since establishing Age Well, she has been a trailblazer in the senior care field, serving as a voice for those whose voice has been quieted by age. Her work with elders stems from a deep passion to provide the utmost care for the rapidly growing Orange County elder community and change their lives for the better.
"Dr. Ditty is one of the most dedicated caregivers we've had the honor of recognizing with the Care Awards," said Marla Noel, president of Fairhaven. "She handles difficult elder care issues with grace and a quiet reserve and is knowledgeable beyond words. The imprint she continues to make on the Orange County senior population is indelible - and establishes a lasting legacy of community service."
Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, with locations in Santa Ana and Mission Viejo, created the Oliver Halsell Care Awards recognition program in 2012 to pay tribute to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional care in their profession and community, improving the lives and spirits of those they help.
"Age Well is not only about helping seniors in the community live longer lives, but also about providing them with an enjoyable life worth living," said Ditty. "It's humbling to receive the Care Award and I'm grateful to Fairhaven for recognizing the important gifts seniors still have to offer."
Through Age Well, Dr. Ditty provides transportation, meal delivery, social organization and educational programs to keep seniors involved, active and connected. By supplying these services, Dr. Ditty provides seniors with so much more than a ride or a meal; she provides them with the knowledge that they are cared about and that they are valuable members of the Orange County community.
Dr. Ditty, a Mission Viejo resident, will be honored at Fairhaven's Oliver Halsell Care Awards banquet in November at Fairhaven's Mission Viejo location. The banquet honors a year's worth of achievements within the local community. Additionally, Fairhaven will make a donation on her behalf to her selected charity, Alzheimer's Orange County.
Fairhaven is accepting nominations for the 2016 Oliver Halsell Care Awards. For more information and to nominate a deserving candidate, call 714-633-1442 or email [email protected].
About Fairhaven's Oliver Halsell Care Award
Fairhaven's Oliver Halsell Care Award pays tribute to Orange County individuals whose kindness and dedication to serving others is inspirational. These courageous individuals go above and beyond their job descriptions to serve with the utmost care and compassion. Fairhaven's Oliver Halsell Care Award winners come from many fields including private care, hospice, social work, counseling, assisted living, medical providers, nursing, therapy, volunteer work and more.
About Fairhaven
Founded in 1911 by Oliver Halsell to provide a peaceful and comforting place for families to honor their loved ones, Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary is Orange County's most beautiful full-service mortuary, crematory and cemetery. With the memorial park and mortuary in Central Orange County and an elegantly appointed mortuary in South Orange County, Fairhaven provides funeral, cremation and burial services both at the time of need and through advanced planning, maintaining its steadfast commitment to care and compassion. Fairhaven is dedicated to celebrating the individual, providing services that are as unique and wide-ranging as the people they celebrate. Additional information is available at http://www.dignitymemorial.com/fairhaven-memorial-park-mortuary. Connect with Fairhaven at http://www.facebook.com/fairhavenmemorial or http://www.twitter.com/fairhavenoc.
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