FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2008
Department of Aging Recognizes Elder Caregivers for Their Selfless Contributions
Fifteen Ohioans to be Honored in Columbus at Annual Award Ceremony
COLUMBUS - Barbara E. Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, and members of the Ohio General Assembly will honor fifteen outstanding elder caregivers at the fifteenth annual Elder Caregiving Awards ceremony at the Capitol Theatre in Columbus from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22.
"These special men and women exemplify the challenges faced by caregivers and the need to find ways to help family caregivers as our population ages," said Riley. "Most of our honorees expressed surprise at receiving an award. In their opinion, they were just doing what they would naturally do for their loved ones. These caregivers demonstrate the dedication, determination and love for their family members that we all try to emulate."
Among those honored this year are daughters and sons who have cared for their parents through major illnesses, sisters who coordinate their efforts to care for their mother and a true member of the sandwich generation who cared for her husband, mother and aunt, while raising three sons.
2008 Ohio Caregivers of the Year include:
- Lena Collier, Willkesville
- Jacki Collins, Dayton
- Joanne Freed, Butler
- Jenifer Johnson, Avon Lake
- Delores Latson, Sally Helm, Bobbi Simms, Candace Coates and Earma Algee, Toledo
- Lorene Middleton, Cincinnati
- Rick Nichols, Cuyahoga Falls
- Betty Parry, Lore City
- Aaron Parsons, Columbus
- Margaret Reynolds-Van Waning, Lima
- Barbara Jean Wolfe, Reynoldsburg
Brief bios and photos of the 2008 Elder Caregivers of the Year are on the Department of Aging's Web site at aging.ohio.gov/news/eldercaregiveraward/. Twelve individuals will also be inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame at the event.
Statistics on Caregivers (From the Family Caregiver Alliance):
- More than 1 million (1,140,348) Ohioans provide 1,222 million caregiving hours annually, at an annual market value of more than $306 billion.
- Ohio caregivers provide 80 percent of all long-term care services that would otherwise cost Ohio taxpayers more than $12,118 billion each year.
- 34 million Americans (16 percent of the population) provide care to adults age 50 and older.
- 8.9 million caregivers (20 percent of adult caregivers) care for someone age 50 and older who has dementia.
- The majority of caregivers are 35-64 years old.
- Many caregivers of older people are also elderly. Of those caring for someone over 65, the average age is 63 years; one-third are in fair to poor health.
- A significant portion of those in the workforce are also providing elder care to family members. Between 25 and 35 percent of all workers report that they are currently providing or have recently provided care to someone 65 or older.
- Among baby boomer caregivers (aged 50-64 years old), an estimated 60 percent are currently employed.
About ODA
The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more.
