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Program offers caregivers
knowledge, information
As the population age 65 and older
continues to increase – some experts
predict that those over 65 will
represent more than 20 percent of the
population within 20 years – more and
more people find themselves in the role
of a caregiver.
Caregivers are people who take care of
other adults, often parents or spouses,
or children with special medical needs.
Most often caregivers are family members
who shop for food, cook, clean, pay
bills, administer medicine, assist with
basic tasks such as going to the toilet,
bathing, dressing and eating. Caregivers
also provide companionship, emotional
and sometimes even financial support.
Often, caregivers find themselves facing
issues and questions they may feel
unprepared to address or answer.
During the month of May, the Ohio
University Heritage College of Osteopathic
Medicine’s Department of Geriatric
Medicine/Gerontology will offer its
annual Caregiver Series at the Athens
Public Library, with support from the
Western Reserve Geriatric Education
Center. Besides OU-HCOM, sponsors for the
series include the Athens Public
Library, the Western Reserve Geriatric
Education Center, and the United States
Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA).
The annual series addresses concerns and
issues faced by caregivers of all ages
and circumstances. Although each
caregiver’s circumstance is unique, most
caregivers share one common thread:
feeling isolated or ill-prepared to take
on the caregiver role.
This program can help caregivers become
more knowledgeable and connect with
others in similar situations.
Presentations will be held each Tuesday
evening in May at the Athens Public
Library at 30 Home Street in Athens.
Refreshments will be served at 6 p.m.
with the hour-long presentations
beginning at 6:15 p.m., followed by more
socializing and refreshments until 7:30
p.m. The series is free and open to the
public. For information about the
series, call 593-2266.
Respite care (in-home coverage) is
available on a limited basis. For
information about the respite care,
contact Brooke Hallowell, Ph.D.,
director of the OU School of Hearing,
Speech and Language Sciences, at
593-1356.
This year’s topics and presenters
include:
“Ergonomics and Independent
Living”
Diana Schwerha, Ph.D.
OU Russ College of
Engineering & Technology
(Refreshments provided by
Hickory Creek Nursing Center)
“How to Dean with Disruptive Behavior”
Joan Stroh, L.P.C.C., L.S. W.
Private practice
(Refreshments provided by The Lindley
Inn)
“Staying in Motion: Preventing Falls”
David Russ, Ph.D., P.T.
OU School of Physical Therapy
(Refreshments provided by: Kimes Nursing
and Rehab Center)
“Prevention of Complications”
Maureen Clothier, D.O.
OU-HCOM Department of Geriatric Medicine
(Refreshments provided by: Russell
Nursing Home)
“Palliative Care: Myths and Benefits”
Tracy Marx, D.O.
OU-HCOM Department of Family Medicine
(Refreshments provided by: Arcadia
Nursing & Rehabilitation Center) |
