[Photo: Pinecrest residents and former caregivers Caroline “Dolla Crnich (left) and Hazel Rochon are participating in the walk for healthcare assistants.]

Administrators, don’t be alarmed if you notice pedometers around your facilities. Starting today, more than 800 frontline caregivers and their supporters have started to log miles for “Stepping Up for Quality,” a fund-raiser sponsored by the National Association of Health Care Assistants.

This first-time event aims to raise awareness of the hard work of certified nursing aides—those long-term care workers who are often overlooked and underpaid. 

“We try to encourage [CNAs] to be advocates on behalf of their profession, but a lot of them don’t have the opportunity,” Lesley Collins, NAHCA’s director of strategic initiatives, and event coordinator, told me. “We empower them to speak on their behalf. This walk allows them to do that.”

The event is modeled after the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, and similar fund-raisers. During the month-long walk-a-thon, participants are accepting pledges—either flat payments or per mile for what they walk while working. Walkers, who wear pedometers to track the number of miles they walk, include everyone from CNAs to their directors of nursing to friends outside of the facility. The money will go to the Academy of Certified Health Professionals, the nonprofit arm of NAHCA, to support educational opportunities for CNAs.

The event has generated excitement at facilities and communities around the country. Longtime CNA Deb Pitts of Pinecrest Medical Care Facility in Powers, MI, has signed up 159 people. Most are employees. About 75 are CNAs.

“There’s been a lot of positive feedback,” said Pitts, who is an officer on the NAHCA National Steering Commission.

Facilities are using the walk-a-thon as an opportunity to promote wellness and other causes. The idea has prompted the administrator at Pinecrest to do an employee run for wellness, Pitts said. Employees at a facility in Galena, KS, are going to be hitting the walking track more often during the month of February.

Meanwhile, the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, is walking for fallen heroes.

“Everyone’s kind of put their own spin on it and have embraced it and made it theirs,” Collins said.

In some cases, even residents are “stepping up” for quality. Three examples are Caroline “Dolla” Crnich, Hazel Rochon and Daisy Smith. All are residents of Pinecrest—and former nurses and CNAs. Crnich and Rochon actually worked at Pinecrest.  

“I worked with them. Now I’m taking care of them, said Pitts, who has worked at the facility nearly 38 years.

That sounds like reason enough to put on those walking shoes.

It’s not too late to walk or give money. Those wishing to participate or donate should visit http://www.nahcacares.org/sufq.htm.