Ohio

Ohio AgrAbility partnered with the Ohio State University College of Nursing and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities to form the Caregiver Support Network and held a workshop: "Building Resilience, Sharing Resources," on February 22. The workshop was based in Columbus, Ohio (location of OSU campus), with six "local sites" across Ohio, which gave caregivers the opportunity to attend the workshop, hear the speakers, hear about local resources, and meet other caregivers in their local area. Attendance for the workshop was excellent - a total of 126 people attended, with 59 people in Columbus and 67 people at the local sites. Attendees included over 30 vendors/exhibitors from state and county agencies, service providers, and an online music therapist. Three speakers presented on preventing caregiver burnout, telemedicine, and helpful gadgets, apps, and technology. The Caregiver Support Network is planning more workshops on April 25 and November 14. The workshop was promoted with a press release from the OSU College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, and an interview on the OSU Healthy Aging Network.

Submitted by Laura Akgerman